Liverpool put down a firm marker for their Premier League title ambitions with victory at rivals Chelsea as Tottenham Hotspur started the Harry Redknapp era with a first win of the season.
Arsenal continue to keep pace with the leaders after striking twice in the final 15 minutes at West Ham United as Portsmouth were held 1-1 at home by Fulham.
Brazilian sensation Robinho struck a hat-trick as Manchester City proved too strong for Stoke City, while Aston Villa were in formidable form in crushing Wigan Athletic away from home.
Liverpool brought an end to Chelsea's 86-game unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 win.
Xabi Alonso scored the only goal of a tight game on 10 minutes when the Spanish midfielder's shot deflected off Jose Bosingwa and wrong-footed Petr Cech.
Though there may have been an element of luck about the Reds' winner, Rafa Benitez's side were full value for the points after keeping Chelsea at arm's length for much of the match.
Alonso almost grabbed a second when his free-kick struck the base of the post, while Ashley Cole sliced his shot wide from Chelsea's best chance of the game.
Tottenham may have dispensed with their manager Juande Ramos late on Saturday night, but it clearly had no negative effect on morale after a 2-0 success over Bolton at White Hart Lane.
With Ramos' replacement Harry Redknapp spending most of the game in the dug-out, Spurs secured a welcome win as Roman Pavlyuchenko scored his first Premier League goal.
Spurs made the breakthrough on 17 minutes when David Bentley swung in a cross from the right and Pavlyuchenko guided his header inside the upright.
Bolton's prospects of getting back into the game were dealt a blow on 56 minutes when Gavin McCann was sent off for a second booking after the midfielder fouled Tom Huddlestone.
And the Trotters contributed further to their own demise on 76 minutes when Jussi Jaaskelainen's clumsy challenge on Darren Bent allowed the striker to score from the penalty spot.
Emmanuel Adebayor had a decisive impact from the bench as Arsenal won 2-0 at West Ham, who finished the match with 10 men.
Togo striker Adebayor was introduced on 67 minutes and, within eight minutes, had helped the Gunners into the lead as his shot was turned into his own net by Julien Faubert.
In the first minute of stoppage time, a brilliant pass from Nicklas Bendtner sent Adebayor clear and he rounded the onrushing Robert Green before steering the ball into an unguarded net.
There was still time for Carlton Cole to be sent off as the Hammers striker was harshly dismissed by referee Phil Dowd for a foul on Alexandre Song.
Portsmouth started life without Harry Redknapp by being held to a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park by Fulham.
Redknapp's former assistants Tony Adams and Joe Jordan sent out a Pompey team which took a 61st minute lead through Peter Crouch's finish after he was set up by strike partner Jermain Defoe.
However, Fulham snatched a point three minutes from time when Clint Dempsey steered home unmarked from fellow substitute Erik Nevland's cross.
Manchester City moved back into the top half of the table after a Robinho-driven 3-0 win over promoted Stoke.
Record signing Robinho put City ahead on 14 minutes with a low finish inside Thomas Sorensen's near post following a clever pass by Ched Evans.
The young striker was replaced by Daniel Sturridge just before half-time and the substitute played a key role in City's second goal two minutes after the break as his run and cross teed up Robinho for his second of the match.
Robinho completed his hat-trick on 72 minutes when he passed the ball into the net from the edge of the area after being intelligently played in by Sturridge following a quick City break.
Aston Villa followed up victory over Ajax in the Uefa Cup on Thursday with an emphatic 4-0 triumph at struggling Wigan.
Villa were in front midway through the first half when Gareth Barry tucked away a perfect penalty after Titus Bramble had brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor.
There was a spot of fortune about Villa's second on 57 minutes when John Carew's header ricocheted in off Agbonlahor, who knew little about the decisive touch.
Just five minutes later, Villa had made it 3-0 following good work down the left by Agbonlahor and his cross was headed home from close range by the towering Carew.
Substitute Steve Sidwell marked his Premier League debut for Villa with a fourth goal in injury-time as he smashed a fierce shot into the top corner after James Milner's flicked pass inside.
