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New West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola got off to a winning start on Saturday as fellow Italian new boy David Di Michele scored twice in a 3-1 home Premier League victory over a toothless Newcastle United.

- Images | EPL Points Table

Di Michele, making his first start after arriving on a year's loan from Torino, had West Ham 2-0 up by halftime then set up Matthew Etherington for the third to pile on the misery for managerless Newcastle, who got a consolation through Michael Owen [Images].

- Complete Coverage: English Premier League

At Anfield Liverpool spent almost the entire match on the attack against Stoke City but could not break down the promoted side's defence in a goalless draw.

Liverpool still top the standings on 11 points but Arsenal [Images], who play at Bolton Wanderers later on Saturday and Chelsea, who host Manchester United [Images] on Sunday, could both go above them with wins.

In Saturday's other games Sunderland beat Middlesbrough 2-0, courtesy a double-strike by Michael Chopra, and Blackburn Rovers beat Fulham 1-0.