England round-up: Holders hit the front

Champions Arsenal FC moved to the top of Premiership table for the first time this season with a comfortable 5-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion FC at Highbury tonight.

Goal blitz
The home side, who were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United FC at the weekend, took the lead after only three minutes when left-back Ashley Cole smashed a fizzing effort in to the top corner. Cameroonian defender Lauren connected with Nwankwo Kanu's centre to add a second from close range midway through the first half, before Sylvain Wiltord put the Gunners three goals to the good two minutes later. 

First for Aliadiere
Scott Dobie reduced the arrears with a well-taken strike six minutes after the interval, but Arsenal soon regained the initiative through Wiltord's second goal of the match. Jason Roberts made it 4-2 with three minutes remaining, but 19-year-old French striker Jeremie Aliadiere pounced for his first Arsenal goal in the dying moments.

Spurs in charge
Arsenal now have seven points from their three opening games of the campaign, and lead the table on goal difference from north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur FC, who beat Charlton Athletic FC 1-0 in the night's other Premiership encounter.

Davies decider
Simon Davies scored the only goal of the match after eight minutes, as Teddy Sheringham's incisive pass allowed the Wales international to blast in from close range. Davies was instrumental as Spurs dominated possession, and they could have gone further ahead but for Anthony Gardner's remarkable miss from a metre out with a header.