London - After wins on the opening weekend of the season, champions Manchester United and Chelsea face difficult away games as they seek to take early control of the Premier League.

United were far from their best in beating Birmingham City 1-0 on Sunday, but at least took the three points, which is more than they managed on the opening day of either of the last two seasons.

They continue against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday in the first top-flight match to be hosted in the former mill town since 1976.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson hinted that he might give Michael Owen a first Premier League start for the club since his free transfer from Newcastle United.

"I started with (Wayne) Rooney and (Dimitar) Berbatov (against Birmingham) quite simply because they were at the club last season and were regular players and you've got to give them an opportunity.

"Michael will get his chances. There is no question about that. There are plenty of games coming up in the next few weeks to give him his opportunity and he will take them."

Burnley lost their first game back in the top flight 2-0 at Stoke City, with manager Owen Coyle admitting his team had been given a lesson.

"There are a number of things we have learned," he said. "The margins for error are minimal in the Premier League.

"But we have shown we can offer a lot and compete at this level."

Chelsea also failed to catch light on the first weekend, their 2-1 win over Hull City coming thanks only to an injury-time winner from Didier Drogba.

They travel Tuesday to Sunderland, who won 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers in their first game under manager Steve Bruce.

New signing Yuri Zhirkov is not expected to have recovered from a knee injury in time to play, while defenders Alex and Juliano Belletti are also out.

"The hunger among the boys this year to win the Premier League is as strong as ever," said captain John Terry.

"We want that and the Champions League and, with our squad being held together, there are plenty of reasons for optimism."

After their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Liverpool will look to bounce back at home to Stoke City on Wednesday, while Tottenham themselves carry an unfamiliar mood of optimism to Hull.

Birmingham host what could be an early relegation clash as they face struggling Portsmouth on Wednesday. (dpa)