BY Victor Akhidenor
All eyes were again on Louis van Gaal after Manchester United began their campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City last week, but the Dutchman’s spluttering start to life at United continued as they drew 1-1 with Sunderland in the Premier League.
United lacked any fluency at the Stadium of Light and were fortunate to take a 17th-minute lead through Juan Mata.
However, they failed to take advantage and extend their lead as an unmarked Jack Rodwell headed in a first-half equaliser on his home debut to earn Sunderland a point.
The Black Cats remain unbeaten in the league while United managed to notch up their first point of the season.
Elsewhere, it was miserable return to White Hart Lane for Harry Redknapp, as QPR were totally outclassed in a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.
The 67-year-old was dismissed by Spurs in 2012 despite guiding them to three consecutive top-five finishes in the Premier League, before winning promotion from the Championship with QPR last season.
But his former employers were less-than-hospitable on his return to north London as Nacer Chadli deservedly gave the home side the lead on 12 minutes.
Eric Dier followed up his goal at West Ham on the opening weekend by netting the second and Chadli added a third eight minutes before the break.
Emmanuel Adebayor made absolutely certain with a fourth in the 65th minute.
With this win, Tottenham maintain their winning start to the 2014-15 campaign, while QPR are left searching for their first points since returning to the top flight.
At the KC Stadium, Hull City recovered from James Chester’s early sending off to pick up a well-deserved point against Stoke.
Defender Chester saw red in the 14th minute after tripping up Glenn Whelan on the edge of Hull’s box.
Nikica Jelavic, the Croatian striker, fired the hosts into the lead just before half-time after Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic could only parry a Tom Huddlestone shot into his path six yards from goal.
Hull almost secured the three points at stake until the 83rd minute thanks to goal-line technology which was required to show Ryan Shawcross had scrambled the ball home from inside the box.
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