London rivals remain dominant

Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC maintained their perfect starts to the English Premiership today but Manchester United FC needed a last-gasp equaliser against Blackburn Rovers FC.

Mourinho run
José Mourinho had seen his first three Premiership games in charge of Chelsea end in 1-0 victories, but they fell behind within 12 seconds at home to Southampton FC when an opportunist 25-metre strike from James Beattie found the target. However, on 34 minutes Beattie inadvertently deflected in Eidur Gudjohnsen's back-heeled flick, and seven minutes later Southampton's Claus Lundekvam handled in his own area. Frank Lampard converted the penalty to ensure Chelsea had won their first four games of the season for the first time.

Arsenal cruise
Chelsea were briefly in first place until Arsenal won 4-1 at Norwich City FC in the late game to return to the top on goal difference and stretch their record unbeaten league run to 44 games. José Antonio Reyes, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires all claimed first-half goals for the visitors, and although Darren Huckerby did convert a 50th-minute penalty for Norwich, Dennis Bergkamp struck in added time.

United relief
Manchester United FC are already eight points adrift of the leaders, albeit with a match against Everton FC on Monday in hand, and needed a 93rd-minute equaliser from Alan Smith to salvage a 1-1 home draw against Blackburn. Paul Dickov volleyed Blackburn into the lead 17 minutes in, but with 20 minutes left Lorenzo Amoruso was sent off for the visitors after a professional foul on Louis Saha before Smith's leveller.

Villa thriller
Aston Villa FC are fourth after a thrilling 4-2 win against Newcastle United FC. Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson dropped captain Alan Shearer in favour of Patrick Kluivert, and on 28 minutes the Dutch striker equalised Olof Mellberg's early effort. Andy O'Brien gave visitors Newcastle a half-time lead, but Carlton Cole, Gareth Barry and Juan Pablo Ángel scored second-half goals for Villa.

City delight
Ahead of Villa in third are Tottenham Hotspur FC, at least until Bolton Wanderers FC meet Liverpool FC on Sunday, after beating Birmingham City FC 1-0. Manchester City FC secured their first win of the season, a 4-0 triumph against Charlton Athletic FC, while Everton defeated West Bromwich Albion FC 2-1 and Crystal Palace FC lost by the same score at Middlesbrough FC to remain bottom on goal difference behind Portsmouth FC, who play Fulham FC on Monday.