The home teams garnered the three points in the Premier League, apart from Tottenham who won at Wolves and West Bromwich Albion and Fulham who drew at the Hawthorns. Two second-half strikes proved sufficient as Manchester City edged battling Everton 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Everton worked hard at nullifying the host's attacking threat even if their physical approach to the game did not endear them to the home fans.
Sergio Aguero's cheeky back-heel set up Mario Balotelli to side foot home past Tim Howard.
Then, going into the final minute, a dreadful error by Royston Drenthe saw him gift the ball to David Silva who immediately picked out James Milner for number two.
Tottenham extended their winning sequence to three League games with goals from Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale at Wigan.
Mohamed Diame pulled a goal back for the Latics at the start of the second period but when Steve Gohouri was dismissed for a lunge on Bale Spurs saw the game out 2-1.
Newcastle continued their fine start to the season with 3-1 home win over ten-man Blackburn Rovers who had a good record at St James' Park until this encounter.
A Demba Ba hat-trick began with two goals in three minutes in the first half. Rovers gave themselves hope with a quick reply through Junior Hoilett.
But Ba completed his three goals just after the break and the visitor's miserable afternoon was completed with the dismissal of Martin Olsson for two yellow cards.
Arsenal returned to winning ways with three second-half goals in the 3-0 defeat of Bolton at the Emirates.
Robin van Persie scored his 99th and 100th goals for the Gunners over 10-man Bolton.
Alex Song completed the scoring just before the final whistle whilst David Wheater saw red for a tug on Theo Walcott leaving the Wanderers bottom on the pile.
Liverpool looked comfortable at the break against Wolves leading by a Roger Johnson own goal and an effort from Luis Suarez.
But Wolves rallied after the break with substitute Steven Fletcher halving the deficit after 49 minutes.
But the Reds held on to win 2-1 for what turned out to be a hard fought three points.
Fernando Torres was again on the Chelsea scoresheet but then blotted his copybook when shown a straight red as the Blues ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Swansea at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard opened the scoring and Ramires had made it 2-0 when Torres was dismissed.
Ramires made it 3-0 after the break despite their reduced numbers, Ashley Williams headed in a late consolation for the visitors, before Didier Drogba got on the scoresheet late-on.
West Brom and Fulham shared a scoreless draw in the midlands in a game of few chances.
And whilst Fulham boss Martin Jol will be pleased with a point, the Cottagers are still searching for their first win in the Premier League.
Manchester United's 100 per cent start to the season came to an end as Peter Crouch's first goal for Stoke secured a 1-1 draw for the Potters at the Britannia Stadium.
United took the lead in the 27th minute through Nani but the hosts deservedly levelled after the break through Crouch.
