Premier League round-up: Arsenal regained top spot with a 3-2 home win over Sunderland while Fernando Torres struck in injury time to secure Liverpool a 2-2 home draw with Tottenham for whom Robbie Keane scored a brace.
Champions Manchester United were briefly at the summit after their 4-0 victory over Wigan yesterday, but Gunners maintained their 100 per cent home record this season against Roy Keane's spirited side, securing their 10th straight victory in all competitions.
Robin van Persie got them off to the perfect start with a rocket of a free-kick. Philippe Senderos added a second from close range before Ross Wallace gave the Wearsiders hope, and incredibly they drew level through Kenwyne Jones' second-half header.
But the Gunners went back in front when Theo Walcott's precise ball across the box found Van Persie and the Dutchman fired a shot past Craig Gordon.
Sunderland were reduced to 10 men late on after a dreadful challenge by Republic of Ireland international Paul McShane on Alexander Hleb as Arsenal moved two points clear with a game in hand on United going into the international break.
Manchester Cityare also flawless at home under Sven-Goran Eriksson and again looked impressive in a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough.
Boro defender Chris Riggott diverted Martin Petrov's corner into his own net in the 10th minute and City scored a sublime second when Michael Johnson back-heeled the ball to Elano, who drilled in a second from long range with a wicked right-foot shot.
The Brazilian added a third with a free-kick in the second half to seal the three points, although Ben Hutchinson grabbed a consolation for the Teessiders.
Liverpoolscraped a point at home to Tottenhamthanks to Torres. It started well for the Reds, who lost to Marseille in the Champions League in midweek, when England goalkeeper Paul Robinson spilled a Steven Gerrard free-kick right at the feet of Andriy Voronin, who made no mistake from close range.
But Martin Jol's men levelled when Dimitar Berbatov flicked on for Ireland skipper Keane to equalise. Spurs then went in front when Keane latched on to another Berbatov flick from a Robinson punt early in the second half, but Torres equalised in injury-time when he nodded in Steve Finnan's cross at the far post.
Chelseasecured their first league goal and victory under Avram Grant as they beat Bolton1-0 at the Reebok Stadium, Salomon Kalou the man on target (41).
Newcastleleapfrogged Evertonwith a 3-2 victory at St James' Park. Nicky Butt lofted in a shot after Everton failed to clear their lines. Andrew Johnson drew the visitors level from a Leighton Baines cross but Emre smashed in a superb shot from the edge of the box to give Sam Allardyce's men the victory.
Michael Owen, on as a substitute, made sure of the win with a close-range header and the Magpies held on despite a Shay Given own goal right at the death.
Blackburnmade up for their Uefa Cup disappointment to beat Birmingham2-1 at Ewood Park. Rovers took the lead after 15 minutes when David Bentley turned and drilled a low shot which beat Maik Taylor at his near post.
The game then hinged on two incidents in the space of 30 seconds as first Gary McSheffrey wrongly had a goal ruled out for offside and the hosts went straight up the other end and won a penalty when Johan Djourou fouled Roque Santa Cruz. Benni McCarthy comfortably scored from the spot.
Cameron Jerome lashed a goal back for the Blues but Mark Hughes' men took all three points.
Readingclaimed three vital points against Derbyat the Madejski Stadium as Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle's63rd-minute header from a Graeme Murty cross proved enough. The Rams remain bottom, with five defeats in five away games in the top flight.
Portsmouthfollowed up their 7-4 win over Reading last week with a 2-0 win over Fulhamat Craven Cottage.
Zimbabwean striker Benjani Mwaruwari, who hit a hat-trick in last Saturday's goal-feast, spun away from Carlos Bocanegra and his shot deflected in off the American defender for the first early in the second half. They quickly added a second when Hermann Hreidarsson burst into the box and his effort deflected over Kasey Keller off Chris Baird.
