Champions Chelsea notched up their fifth Premier League victory of the season with a routine 2-0 win over bottom club Sunderland as their main title rivals both dropped points yesterday.
Arsenal lost 2-1 at Middlesbrough, their second defeat of the season, and Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by local rivals City at Old Trafford to end their 100 per cent record.
Charlton Athletic recorded their fourth successive win, 1-0 at Birmingham City, and England striker Michael Owen had a quiet Newcastle debut as his side drew 1-1 with Fulham.
Chelsea were frustrated by Sunderland in a dull first half at Stamford Bridge but broke the deadlock after 54 minutes when Cameroon midfielder Geremi took advantage of a poor throw by Sunderland keeper Kelvin Davis to score.
The champions dominated the rest of the match and doubled their advantage when striker Didier Drogba rose at the far post to head home a terrific cross by fellow substitute Damien Duff.
"We didn't play very well but the players were away for 15 days and I am very happy to win this match and I am very happy to have such strength on the bench," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told a news conference, referring to recent World Cup qualifiers.
It was Sunderland's fifth defeat of the season and 20th Premier League loss in a row.
Arsenal suffered their second loss in four matches when goals by strikers Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Massimo Maccarone secured Middlesbrough's victory at the Riverside Stadium.
Nigerian Yakubu curled in the first goal six minutes from half-time before setting up his Italian strike partner for the second just before the hour.
Spanish forward Jose Antonio Reyes pulled back a consolation for the visitors with a 25-metre strike in stoppage time but it was too late to prevent Arsenal slipping nine points behind Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand.
United dominated the Manchester derby and went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy lashed home the rebound after his initial shot was well saved by City keeper David James.
City defended well and snatched a draw to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when midfielder Joey Barton stabbed the ball home from close range 14 minutes from time.
City striker Andrew Cole almost grabbed an unlikely victory against his former club when his stoppage-time shot was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by United keeper Edwin van der Sar.
"The performance was good and we controlled the match," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "But there is always that unpredictability about a derby match and that's what happened.
"You need that second goal but we didn't deserve what we got."
City stayed third in the table, one place ahead of United.
Owen had few chances to shine at St James' Park and Newcastle fell behind to an early goal by Fulham's American striker Brian McBride.
The home side finally scored their first goal of the season, however, when midfielder Charles N'Zogbia curled home a delightful 20-metre free kick 12 minutes from time.
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool drew 0-0 in an entertaining match at White Hart Lane, Wigan Athletic won 2-1 in an early relegation battle at West Bromwich Albion and Everton striker Duncan Ferguson headed an own goal to give Portsmouth a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.
Bolton Wanderers face Blackburn Rovers today and West Ham meet Aston Villa tomorrow.
Next Premier League fixtures
Saturday - 4 p.m. Charlton vs Chelsea; Fulham vs West Ham; Portsmouth vs Birmingham; Sunderland vs West Brom. 6.15 p.m. Aston Villa vs Tottenham.
Sunday - 1 p.m. Liverpool vs Manchester United; 3 p.m. Blackburn Rovers vs Newcastle; 4 p.m. Wigan vs Middlesbrough; 5 p.m. Manchester City vs Bolton.
Monday - 9 p.m. Arsenal vs Everton.