LONDON, 20 August 2007 — Manchester United’s worrying start to the defense of the Premier League title turned into a crisis yesterday when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City.

The result left Sven-Goran Eriksson’s City top of the league with a maximum nine points and looking down on their rivals who languish just outside the bottom three with two points. It is United’s worst start to a Premier League season since 1992 when they managed just one point from their opening three matches. It is also the worst start by any defending champions.

An untidy Manchester derby at Eastlands was settled after 31 minutes by Geovanni, one of the numerous foreign signings made by former England boss Eriksson since taking charge last month.

The Brazilian midfielder broke into space and delivered a low swerving shot that skimmed off the shin of United defender Nemanja Vidic before nestling inside the post. It was one of the few City attacks in a match dominated by a United side missing the injured Wayne Rooney and suspended Cristiano Ronaldo but including Owen Hargreaves in midfield for the first time since signing from Bayern Munich.

Verbal Spat After 1-1 Draw

In Liverpool, England, Jose Mourniho and Rafael Benitez were involved in a verbal spat yesterday after Chelsea held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Chelsea got a barely deserved point when referee Rob Styles awarded them a second half penalty after Florent Malouda fell into the unlucky Steve Finnan.

Frank Lampard converted the spot kick in the 62nd minute to cancel out Fernando Torres’ well-taken first half goal, scored on his home debut.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said he felt the referee had been intimidated by Chelsea’s players and had “cracked.”

Blues manager Mourinho defended his players by calling them “pure” before Benitez questioned that statement.

After being told of Gerrard’s comments, Mourinho said: “I think I have a naive team because we don’t have divers, don’t have violent people, nasty tacklers and don’t have people diving in the swimming pool. Chelsea are a pure and naive team.” Benitez told reporters: “You can check the team and see how many players they have that do things he says they do not do.

“I don’t like to give names but I remember situations in past years and today you can see players talking all the time.”

Miller Double Fires Celtic to

3-1 Win at Aberdeen

In London, Celtic moved second behind Rangers in the Scottish Premier League yesterday after two late goals gave them a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen took the lead after 24 minutes through Craig Brewster and it took champions Celtic until midway through the second half to level through a Massimo Donato free kick. Substitute Kenny Miller fired Celtic ahead after 84 minutes after good play from Shunsuke Nakamura and he completed the victory in stoppage time with a curling effort. Celtic manager Gordan Strachan was involved in a heated row, apparently with Aberdeen fans, after Miller’s first goal and was ordered from the dugout. Celtic have seven points, two behind Rangers who continued their perfect start with a 7-2 thrashing of Falkirk on Saturday.

Huntelaar Scores Four as

Ajax Rout Graafschap

In Amsterdam, Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar hit four goals as Ajax Amsterdam routed second division champions Graafschap Doetinchem 8-1 in their league opener yesterday. Defending champions PSV Eindhoven scored two late goals to sink Heracles Almelo 2-0, while Feyenoord beat Utrecht 3-0. It took visitors Ajax until the 36th minute to break the deadlock, Luis Suarez setting up Huntelaar before doubling the lead before halftime. Hedwiges Maduro struck twice in four minutes to settle the match, followed by goals from Kennedy Bakircioglu and Huntelaar before Donny de Groot gave the hosts their consolation goal.

In injury time Huntelaar, left out of the Dutch squad for Wednesday’s friendly with Switzerland, added two more goals to complete the rout.