Champions Arsenal extended their record unbeaten Premier League run to 45 games with a 3-0 win at Fulham on Saturday but title rivals Chelsea were held 0-0 at Aston Villa and Manchester United scraped a 2-2 draw at Bolton Wanderers.
Arsenal lived dangerously in the first half but floored Fulham with a three-goal blast in 10 minutes, courtesy of Fredrik Ljungberg, a Zat Knight own goal and one from Spanish substitute Jose Antonio Reyes.
Victory left Arsenal two points clear at the top after Chelsea lost their 100 per cent record, with manager Jose Mourinho furious at referee Rob Styles for refusing his team a penalty and booking his Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba for diving.
Manchester United continued a faltering start to the season at the Reebok Stadium, looking destined for defeat after Les Ferdinand got Bolton's second in the 90th minute, only for Alan Smith to be credited with a stoppage time equaliser.
Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, while skipper Alan Shearer scored once as Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0 and Middlesbrough were 2-1 winners over Birmingham City.
