Denilson added the third goal as Arsenal produced an attacking masterclass at Emirates Stadium that easily could have led to an even larger scoreline with sharper finishing.

Arsenal, which also routed FC Twente 4-0 in a Champions League qualifier on Wednesday, seemed rejuvenated by the return of Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas and played with all its trademark flair and finesse that was missing during last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage.

“Apart from at the start of the second half, we were always in control and played the game we love, and showed the way we can play,” manager Arsene Wenger said. “The improvement comes from a completely different attitude. We showed that against Twente and did it again tonight. The Fulham match had come at the start of the season after difficult games, including one away in the Champions League and maybe we were not ready mentally.”

For Newcastle, the loss compounded its troubles after losing key midfielder James Milner to Aston Villa this week. Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said he had only had 14 fit senior players for the game, and elected to include Joey Barton on the substitutes bench for the first time this season. Barton, who was recently released from a jail sentence for assault, was greeted by loud boos by the home fans when coming on in the final minutes after the match had already been decided.

Shortly after Barton entered the field, he was penalized for a challenge on Samir Nasri, who retaliated moments later. Keegan, who admitted he had wanted to buy Nasri for Newcastle, was then involved in a heated touchline discussion with the French midfielder after the final whistle.

With the win, Arsenal has six points after three rounds, while Newcastle has four. Leader Chelsea plays Tottenham on Sunday.

The Gunners should have gone ahead in the second minute when Gallas missed a clear chance from just two meters (yards) out. Instead, Van Persie made it 1-0 with a penalty kick in the 18th, after Charles N’Zogbia blocked Emmanuel Adebayor’s cross with his hand. Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given guessed right and dove to his left, but Van Persie well-placed shot was still out of reach.

The Magpies should have drawn level in the 37th when Jonas Gutierrez broke free down the left flank and found Michael Owen completely unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. But the England striker sent his shot wide.

Adebayor then squandered a clear chance by also sending a shot wide at the other end, before Arsenal made it 2-0 in the 41st after some exquisite passing. Adebayor’s square ball into the area was backheeled by Emmanuel Eboue into Van Persie’s path and the Dutchman smacked the ball into the roof of Given’s net.

Also Saturday, newcomer Hull suffered its first Premier League loss when it was thrashed by Wigan 5-0. The Tigers had four points after their first two games but went behind to Wigan after just five minutes when Sam Ricketts scored an own-goal. Antonio Valencia doubled the visitors’ lead in the 13th.

Amr Zaki scored twice after the break — either side of a strike from Emile Heskey — to complete the easy win for Steve Bruce’s side.

Hull coach Phil Brown called the match a “harsh reality check.”

Everton also lost heavily at home as Portsmouth recovered from two straight defeats with a 3-0 win. Jermain Defoe put Pompey ahead after 12 minutes and Glen Johnson added a second goal five minutes before half time.

Everton had a chance to pull a goal back in the 46th but David James saved Yakubu’s penalty. Defoe got his second goal with a superb chip in the 69th

Middlesbrough needed a late goal from Tuncay Sanli to beat 10-man Stoke 2-1.

West Brom picked up its first point of the season, drawing with Bolton 0-0.

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