Geovanni glee as City win derby

Manchester City FC's perfect start continued as they defeated rivals Manchester United FC 1-0 to record their third straight victory of the new season. The defending champions, who are yet to win, could at least take heart from the fact their title rivals also dropped points as Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC drew 1-1, while Arsenal FC threw away the lead to draw with Blackburn Rovers FC by the same scoreline.

Defensive steel
At the City of Manchester Stadium, a Geovanni shot, which hit Nemanja Vidić on its way past Edwin van der Sar on 30 minutes, was enough to separate the two sides, although City's success owed much to the defensive display of Micah Richards and Richard Dunne. Sven-Göran Eriksson's men have yet to concede a goal this season while United, missing the injured Wayne Rooney and suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, could find no way through. Carlos Tévez, operating in a lone forward role, had their best chances and will feel he should have had an equaliser in the dying moments, only for his close-range header to go wide.

Torres scores
It is United's worst start to a Premier League season since 1992 when they managed just one point from their opening three matches. It is also the worst start by any defending champions. United are fifth from bottom on two points, seven behind their neighbours who head the table on nine, two clear of Chelsea FC who battled back to draw at Anfield. Fernando Torres fired in his first goal for Liverpool since his €30m move from Club Atlético de Madrid on 15 minutes, but Chelsea hit back after the break and Frank Lampard drew the Londoners level from the spot just after the hour after Daniel Agger was harshly adjudged to have brought down Florent Malouda in the area.

Gallas injury
Arsenal looked to be on course for victory away to Blackburn after Robin van Persie had put the London side ahead on 17 minutes. But Blackburn drew level with 19 minutes to play when Jens Lehmann somehow allowed David Dunn's long-range strike to slip through his fingers. Blackburn finished with ten men when Ryan Nelson was sent off with ten minutes remaining. A difficult afternoon for Arsenal was compounded by injury to captain William Gallas who was forced off early in the first half after twisting his knee.