Mark Hughes began his Blackburn career with three points as Portsmouth were beaten 1-0 at Ewood Park. Forgotten man Matt Jansen gave his chances of impressing the new boss no harm when he found his way through to break the deadlock 15 minutes from the end and Portsmouth were unable to find a reply.
Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan relieved some of the pressure on himself with a 2-1 away win over Crystal Palace. Nicolas Anelka broke the deadlock after 55 minutes to fire the visitors ahead and the Frenchman doubled the advantage nine minutes later, coolly slotting home after Palace conceded a penalty.
Another penalty was awarded, this time to the Eagles, and Andrew Johnson, prolific from the spot last season, slotted it home to give Palace a glimmer of hope.
The most eventful game of the day was at The Hawthorns where West Brom and Fulham drew 1-1 but three players were sent off. Robert Earnshaw blazed a first-half penalty over the crossbar and both Kanu and Andy Cole missed easy chances as the half ended goalless.
Fulham had Papa Bouba Diop sent off after an angry exchange which involved West Brom's Darren Purse before Cole converted Luis Boa Morte's cross to put the visitors in front. But the goalscorer was also red-carded for violent conduct after lashing out and Neil Clement was also given his marching orders in the same incident.
However Kanu kept a cool head when everyone was losing theirs to glance home a cross to rescue West Brom and earn a vital point.
Birmingham dominated the first half of their 1-1 draw with Charlton but were forced to come from a goal down with 10 men to secure the point, thanks to a goal by former Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke. Luke Young was on hand to turn the ball into the net after 49 minutes to give the London side the lead
. Birmingham's cause was not helped when a bad foul resulted in Damien Johnson being shown a second yellow card but former Villa man Yorke popped up to score an equaliser after 68 minutes.
Norwich and Aston Villa cancelled each other out at Carrow Road as Nigel Worthington's men picked up another point against David O'Leary's in-form Villa side.