FC Basel began the defence of their Swiss league title with a 1-0 victory against FC Aarau tonight.

Hosts dominate
Christian Gross's side secured maximum points thanks to Christian Gimenez's 19th-minute header. The hosts dominated most of the game but could not find a way past Basel goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler.

Early leaders
Grasshopper-Club, who were runners-up last season ten points behind Basel, are the early leaders following a 4-1 victory against FC Wil 1900. Eduardo Ribeiro gave the Zürich outfit the lead in the 12th minute and they doubled their advantage five minutes later when Antonio Barijho struck.

Shortlived joy
Felix Mordeku gave the visitors hope by pulling one back seven minutes into the second half but their joy was shortlived as Ricardo Cabanas restored Grasshoppers' two-goal advantage two minutes later. Ricardo Nuñez completed the scoring with a fourth for the hosts nine minutes from full time.

Winning starts
BSC Young Boys and Neuchâtel Xamax FC also got off to winning starts. Young Boys beat FC Luzern 2-1 despite falling behind to André Muff's 26th-minute opener. Thomas Häberli equalised after 55 minutes before former BV Borussia Dortmund star Stéphane Chapuisat netted the winner from the penalty spot with just three minutes remaining.

Rey at the double
Neuchâtel needed a Alexandre Rey double to beat FC Thun 2-1. Patrick Baumann had given the visitors a 19th-minute lead but Rey struck twice in the second half to seal the win.