For the second successive Premier League match Chelsea had to claw back from a goal down on Tuesday to win the three points.

After their 2-1 (0-1) win at home against Hull, the Blues repeated their 'return to lead and win' feat against Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Although Chelsea did cash in all points against Hull they did not impress and had to wait until stoppage time to score a winner, a fortuitous Didier Drogba 'special'.

Chelsea were an improved lot at Sunderland and fully deserved the points after falling behind to Darren Bent's 18th-minute goal.

Tomorrow, Chelsea will be engaged in their first London derby of the campaign when playing Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Carlo Ancelotti, the new Chelsea manager, said he was happy at his new club and that his players were responding to his tactics. Deco has shown he still has plenty to offer, coming up with the best goal of the day at Sunderland.

Goal-getters Gunners

Arsenal, on the verge of booking a place in the group stages of the Champions League following their 2-0 win at Celtic, are likely to continue in their scoring mood after the remarkable 6-1 hammering of Everton at Goodison Park last week.

Today, they face Portsmouth who lost their first match of the season at home to Fulham before succumbing to a last-gasp goal to Birmingham in midweek.

As happened before, Arsene Wenger will probably be proved right on his policy to introduce young players in the team.

When Alexandr Hleb left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona last year he said he had left because the Premier League lacked flair. Just after one season, Barca despatched him back to Stuttgart, on a year-long loan deal. The Belarus midfielder admitted that he should never had left Arsenal and the Premier League as Barcelona claimed a remarkable treble, but he rarely featured in their matches.

Manchester United saw off Birmingham at Old Trafford in their opening match but on Wednesday night the champions were shocked by newcomers Burnley, who held the upperhand in a 1-0 victory.

This afternoon, Alex Ferguson's side will remain on their travels to tackle Wigan away. The Latics, under Spaniard Roberto Martinez, unsettled Aston Villa last week but failed to deliver the goods at home when they surprisingly went down to promoted Wolves.

As happened last season, Liverpool lost all points from their trip to Tottenham. The team lacked cohesion on that occasion and most of the players had an off day in their first outing.

However, on Wednesday the Reds played out of their skins against Stoke as a scintillating performance led them to a 4-0 triumph. Liverpool will remain at home to entertain Aston Villa on Monday night.

Another London derby in the offing will be played at Upton Park tomorrow between West Ham and Tottenham.

In the last three seasons, the Hammers failed to topple Spurs once. The Hotspurs won five, including the 4-3 victory at the Hammers' patch in 2006-07, and drew once.

In their first fixture these two London rivals registered wins, Tottenham at home to Liverpool and West Ham at Wolves.

In midweek, Spurs persisted with their cracking form with a remarkable 5-1 win at Hull, including a Jermain Defoe hat-trick.

Big spenders Manchester City responded to their critics with a three-pointer at Blackburn last week. Mark Hughes's side showed they had class in their side and their opening goal by ex-Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor went down as one of the greats on day one of the Premier League.

The Citizens will tackle Wolves at the City of Manchester Stadium today. The Midlanders started with a home upset to West Ham but hit back admirably with a never-say-die display to win at Wigan.

In the only other Premier League clash between these two teams in 2003-04, Wolves shared the points at City in a 3-3 draw.

Lescott decision

Everton, having conceded a 6-1 trimming by Arsenal in front of their own fans, hope to pick themselves up in their game at newcomers Burnley.

David Moyes was wrong to play Joleon Lescott against Arsenal when the defender had been going through a hard time after he was unsettled by Manchester City, who want him at all costs.

At the Stadium of Light, Steve Bruce's Sunderland cross swords with Blackburn. Bruce was overjoyed after his side's away win at Bolton when Bent buried a header to send him on a sensational debut.

Bent was again on the scoresheet against Chelsea but his goal proved futile on the day.

A Midlands affair is the meeting of Birmingham and Stoke at St Andrews. This will be the first clash between these two teams in the Premier League.

In their last duel in the Championship, in February 2007, the Blues held the upperhand at home through a goal from Gary McSheffrey.