Goals from Robin van Persie either side of half-time edged Arsenal FC past Sunderland AFC 2-1, while north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur FC were held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United FC.

Gunners captain Van Persie scored 29 seconds into the match, but a terrific Sebastian Larsson free-kick ensured the visitors were level at the interval. The Dutch forward had the final say as he fired in a free-kick with eight minutes remaining to seal Arsenal's third win of the season and move them up to tenth.

Tottenham went ahead twice at St James' Park through Rafael van der Vaart's penalty and Jermain Defoe, but Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi's goal four minutes from time secured the draw for Newcastle to keep them in fourth. Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion FC got their first home win of the campaign and leapfrogged opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers FC in the table as goals from Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie secured a 2-0 success.