Oguchi Onyewu returned to the Jupiler League with a winning goal as Standard Liège opened the new season by going straight to the top with a 4-1 triumph at Zulte-Waregem on Sunday night.

The US international, back from a Newcastle loan spell, also saw yellow on his Les Rouches return.

Onyewu showed his aerial prowess in dealing with several early crosses, then nearly put his side up in the 18th minute. The center back got to the end of a corner kick, only to have Waregem defender Stijn Meerts clear the line.

The home side would break on top against the run of play as Nikica Jelavic buried a free kick in the 34th minute. The lead would only last three minutes as Marouane Fellaini replied by nodding home a Marcos Cammozzato cross.

Standard continued with the pressure, but would not break in front until after the break. Three minutes out of intermission, Onyewu bagged a bullet header (watch video clip) off the hand of home keeper Geert De Vlieger.