United pounce as Wigan stun Chelsea

Chelsea FC's perfect start to the Premier League season came crashing to a halt with a 3-1 loss at Wigan Athletic FC, allowing Manchester United FC to take over at the top thanks to a 2-0 win at Stoke City FC.

Čech dismissal
The Blues travelled north having taken maximum points from their six outings this term. They also boasted a run of eleven consecutive triumphs dating back to last season, but their afternoon began to go wrong when Titus Bramble headed in from close range on 16 minutes. Didier Drogba equalised at the start of the second half, however the match turned again four minutes later when Petr Čech was dismissed for fouling Hugo Rodallega, with the Colombian striker subsequently scoring from the penalty spot. Paul Scharner sealed a memorable win by turning in a Maynor Figueroa cross in added time.

Giggs influence
United made sure to profit from Chelsea's slip-up, though it took the introduction of substitute Ryan Giggs to rouse the titleholders at Stoke. The Welshman set up Dimitar Berbatov for a 62nd-minute opener, six minutes after coming on, and helped clinch the win by finding the head of John O'Shea with a 77th-minute free-kick. Sir Alex Ferguon's charges now lead Chelsea on goal difference, with Liverpool FC three points back in third after they dealt Hull City AFC a heavy 6-1 defeat. Fernando Torres fired a hat-trick in the first 47 minutes and Ryan Babel registered twice at the death, after Steven Gerrard had struck with a cross-shot.

Keane haul
Tottenham Hotspur FC lifted themselves to fourth with another one-sided win, overcoming Burnley FC 5-0 courtesy of four goals from Robbie Keane. One place lower, Robin van Persie gave Arsenal FC a 1-0 success at Fulham FC. Elsewhere, Everton FC consigned Portsmouth FC to a seventh straight reverse as they prevailed 1-0 on the south coast, Blackburn Rovers FC beat Aston Villa FC 2-1 and Bolton Wanderers FC were 2-1 victors at Birmingham City FC.