Wayne Rooney scored his second-consecutive hat trick as Manchester United continued their flying start with a 5-0 thrashing of Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. The Red Devils have now netted 18 goals in their first four Premier League matches of the season with only one-goal allowed.

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez made a quick impact in his first game back after suffering a concussion during the pre-season, and latched onto the end of a low cross from Nani to score United's opener with only four minutes gone. 

Rooney scored the next two goals for Alex Ferguson's team, as Bolton could do nothing to stop the onslaught. Even new defender Phil Jones show was able to show off his offensive abilities with a cross to Rooney for the second goal, and an impressive dribbling exhibition through the Bolton defense, before his shot was saved by goalkeeper Jussi Jasskelainen. Luckily, it bounced straight to Rooney, who slotted home his side's third goal.

United supporters will no doubt be pleased to have Rooney back in form after a difficult 2010-11 season, in which he only scored 11 Premier League goals. He needs just three more score to match that mark only a month into the campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson praised his star striker's performance, telling the club's official website, "It's down to maturity. He's in his mid-20s and I always think when players get to this age they get more authority in their game, their timing is better and their control of games is better. His presence is getting bigger in every game. He's looking fantastic."

The only negative from the match for United is that Tom Cleverly will be out for a month with a foot injury following a crunching tackle by Bolton forward Kevin Davies.  Fortunately, the midfielder did not break any bones.

Other Matches:

-- Elsewhere on Saturday, Manchester City joined their neighbors at the top of the league table with an impressive 3-0 win at home against Wigan. Sergio Aguero scored a hat trick, and took his season goal tally to six.

After the match, City manager Roberto Mancini (pictured left) said, "I understand why people are getting excited but it is still early for us. Yes, it's our target to improve, to win the Premier League and Champions League in the future. But let's see what happens in May. This group of players has only been together two months, and we need time." (ESPN Soccernet)

-- Arsenal secured their first league win of the season with a tense 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Swansea City at home in North London. Andrey Arshavin capitalized on an error by Swansea goalkeeper Michael Vorm to score the Gunners' only goal of the game, which saw the introductions of midfielder Mikel Arteta and center-back Per Mertesacker into the Arsenal lineup.

-- Liverpool suffered their first loss of the season at Stoke City, 1-0. In the 20th minute, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher pulled down Stoke attacker Jon Walters in the box, earning the Potters' a penalty, converted moments later by Walters. Liverpool pressured the Stoke defense in the second half, with Stoke keeper Asimir Begovic denying both Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson from point-blank range.

-- Chelsea won 2-1 at Sunderland through a dazzling back-heeled winner from striker Daniel Sturridge, who chosen by manager Andre Villas-Boas in favor of Fernando Torres. 

-- Tottenham beat Wolverhampton 2-0 as Emmanuel Adebayor scored on his debut for Spurs while on-loan from Manchester City. 

-- Everton drew 2-2 at home to Aston Villa, and allowed the visitors to tie the game twice after going down a goal, including Gabriel Agbonlahor’s 83rd-minute equalizer.

-- On Sunday, Fulham and Blackburn both continued their uninspiring starts to the season, playing to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in London.  Ruben Rochina equalized for Blackburn six minutes after Bobby Zamora opened the scoring in the 32nd minute.

-- West Brom's early strike from Peter Odemwingie against Norwich Citywas enough for a 1-0 away win after the Canaries were denied a penalty in stoppage time when West Brom's Gabriel Tamas elbowed striker James Vaughan in the box.

-- Monday's action saw Queen's Park Rangers play to a scoreless draw at home to Newcastle.

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Omar can be reached by email, or on Twitter at @OmarShamout.