Stoke made it eight games unbeaten in all competitions this season as they leapfrogged Liverpool in the table with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Reds.
The Potters’ record signing Peter Crouch may have been the name on everyone’s lips at the Britannia Stadium, but it was strike partner Jon Walters who stole the limelight.
Jamie Carragher’s man-handling of Walters was too much for Mark Clattenburg and the referee had no qualms pointing to the spot, leaving Walters to dust himself down and fire his spot-kick straight down the middle.
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There was high drama late in the game when Luis Suarez vehemently claimed a penalty after Matthew Upson looked to have handled in the box. However, Clattenburg turned down Suarez’s pleas, preferring to book the striker for his over-exuberant appeal.
Sergio Aguero continued to endear himself to the Manchester City fans after he struck a magnificent hat-trick in a crushing 3-0 win against Wigan to lift Roberto Mancini’s side up to top spot in the Premier League.
The Argentine sent City on their way in the 13th minute, the recalled Carlos Tevez and David Silva combining brilliantly before the latter teed up ‘Kun’ to slot home his fourth goal in the league.
Samir Nasri came off the bench in the second half to make his home debut and the former Arsenal man did not take long to make an impact, sending Silva’s lay-off into the path of Aguero, who made no mistake from the edge of the area. City’s man of the moment completed his hat-trick six minutes later, rifling low into the corner before being taken off by Mancini, who will understandably want to wrap his new-found magician in cotton wool.
Daniel Sturridge showed ?50 million striker Fernando Torres how to find the back of the net as Chelsea claimed their first win on the road this season with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland.
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Sunderland should have taken the lead when on-loan signing Nicklas Bendtner – making his 100th Premier League appearance – glanced a header wide from a free-kick. The hosts were made to rue that miss when Sturridge’s clever cross found John Terry, who coolly side-footed home after Sunderland had initially failed to clear their lines.
Chelsea’s second arrived five minutes after the restart, Sturridge running clear and shrugging off the challenge of Wes Brown before slipping the ball past Wearsiders’ goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Sunderland got one back through Ji Dong-Won, but that was as good as it got for Steve Bruce’s charges.
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Arsenal gave their fans something to cheer about as they recorded their first win over the season with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over top-flight new-boys Swansea.
A shocking error from goalkeeper Michel Vorm presented Andrei Arshavin with the easy task of converting into an empty net, albeit from a tight angle five minutes before half-time. Vorm collected the ball on the edge of his box but as his attempted roll out hit his own defender Angel Rangel and bounced into the path of Arshavin, who needed no second invitation in accepting the gift.
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The visitors were almost back on level terms early in the second half, but were denied by the woodwork. Scott Sinclair picked himself up off the floor and his resulting free-kick had Wojciech Szczesny beaten all ends up, although fortunately for the stranded ‘keeper the crossbar was there to save his blushes.
Jermain Defoe fires home Tottenham’s second
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Emmanuel Adebayor marked his debut for Tottenham with a goal as Spurs chalked up their first win of the campaign with a 2-0 victory at Wolves. In the 92nd meeting between the sides, Harry Redknapp’s side went ahead after Adebayor combined brilliantly with fellow new boy Scott Parker.
The England midfielder delivered a brilliant slide-rule pass and Adebayor calmy rounded the keeper to open his account for his new club. Jermain Defoe made sure of the points 10 minutes from time, the diminutive striker collecting Niko Kranjcar’s pass and driving low into the far corner.
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Gabriel Agbonlahor grabbed a late equaliser as Aston Villa twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw at Everton. Toffees fans were in good voice after watching their side take the lead with a well-crafted goal. A slick passing move ended with Tim Cahill feeding Leon Osman, who proceeded to smash the ball past a despairing Shay Given from 12 yards.
Stiliyan Petrov levelled with a 30-yard rocket, only for the home side to regian the lead through Leighton Baines’s penalty. All three points looked secure but the Toffees could not hang on, Agbonlahor heading in Marc Albrighton’s cross with seven minutes left on the clock
Manchester United continued their imperious form at the Rebook Stadium, beating Bolton Wanderers 5 – 0 with three goals from the inform Wayne Rooney and a brace from Javier Hernandez.
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