体坛英语新闻：Man. United held to 2-2 draw at Fulham

LONDON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Manchester United were held to a 2- 2 draw at Fulham as Brede Hangeland headed a late equalizer after scoring an own goal to secure Fulham the single point in the Premier League on Sunday.

Andy Carroll scored a hat trick in Newcastle's 6-0 hammering of Aston Villa.

Hangeland appeared to have gifted United all three points by deflecting an 84th-minute corner from Ryan Giggs into his own net, but he made amends by powering a header past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in the 89th.

United substitute Nani could have put the game beyond Fulham two minutes after Hangeland's own goal, but the Portugal winger had a penalty saved by David Stockdale after Damien Duff was penalised for handball.

In-form midfielder Paul Scholes gave United the lead in the 11th with a trademark shot from outside the box but Simon Davies equalized for Fulham 12 minutes after half time.

England striker Wayne Rooney missed the match because of illness.

United failed to keep pace with expected title rival Chelsea, which is top after beating Wigan 6-0 away on Saturday to follow on from its thrashing of West Brom by the same score on the opening weekend.

Chelsea are the only side with two wins from its opening two games, and is two points clear of six teams.

Earlier, Newcastle became the third team to record a 6-0 win this weekend by taking advantage of some woeful defending by Villa in addition to Chelsea and Arsenal.

The match could have taken a different path had Aston Villa striker John Carew converted an early penalty but he smashed his spot kick over the bar and Newcastle dominated after that.

Joey Barton and midfield teammate Kevin Nolan put Newcastle 2-0 in front before home-town striker Carroll opened his account in the 34th.

Carroll added two more goals after the break to complete his hat trick, before Nolan scored his second deep into stoppage time.

On Saturday, Theo Walcott scored a hat trick as Arsenal routed promoted Blackpool 6-0 to go second in the table on goal difference, and there were also wins for Bolton at West Ham, Birmingham at home to Blackburn, Tottenham at Stoke and West Brom at home to Sunderland. Everton drew 1-1 at home to Wolverhampton.

On Monday, Manchester City hosts Liverpool.