Adebayor maintains Man City’s winning start

Emmanuel Adebayor scored his third goal in as many Premier League matches to give Manchester City a 1-0 win at Portsmouth on Sunday, maintaining the club’s perfect start to the season.

The Togo international headed in Gareth Barry’s corner from close range in the 30th minute to earn City’s second away win – as many as achieved all last season.

“My confidence is very high,” Adebayor said. “(City) believed in my strength, they believed in my ability. At the moment I’m just working hard for the team and for the club.

“We have played three games and won three games so we’re very happy. We want to keep on going and keep on enjoying ourselves on the pitch.”

Adebayor joined City in July as part of owner Sheikh Mansour’s $US200 million ($A238 million) spending-spree since May. It is paying off, with City now only three points behind league leaders Chelsea and Tottenham with a game in hand.

The frontman for City’s takeover 12 months ago, Sulaiman Al-Fahim, was at Fratton Park having bought Pompey last week. The United Arab Emirates businessman wore a replica jersey and mixed with the fans, but manager Paul Hart said he would not have much money to spend before the transfer window closes Tuesday.

That’s unlikely to please the clubs fans, with Pompey having sold many of their best players and bottom of the standings after losing the first four matches.

Everton got off the mark on Sunday, collecting first points of the season by rallying to beat Wigan 2-1.

Leighton Baines scored from a 90th-minute penalty against his former club after striker Jo was fouled by Emmerson Boyce.

Wigan had taken the lead in the 57th when Paul Scharner arrived unmarked on the far post to send a diving header from Charles N’Zogbia’s cross past Tim Howard. But five minutes, later Louis Saha leveled for Everton when he headed in a corner from Baines.

Aston Villa followed up its victory at Liverpool by beating Fulham 2-0.

Pressure from Gabriel Agbonlahor forced Fulham defender John Pantsil to head into his own net for the opening goal after three minutes.

Agbonlahor scored himself in the 59th with a fierce 20m strike.

On Saturday, Chelsea beat Burnley 3-0 and Tottenham defeated Birmingham 2-1 to ensure the London rivals remained tied with 12 points at the top of the standings. Defending champions Manchester United beat title-rivals Arsenal 2-1.