QPR 1 - 1 Aston Villa

Queens Park Rangers snatched a draw at home to Aston Villa with a last-gasp leveller.

Alex McLeish's side took the lead on 58 minutes when Armand Traore was adjudged to have fouled Gabriel Agbonlahor in the box.

Barry Bannan stepped up to the take the spot-kick and fired home. Paddy Kenny went the right way but was beaten by the pace and accuracy.

In the first minute of stoppage-time, Traore was sent off for a second bookable offence and two minutes later the home side equalised when Richard Dunne turned the ball into his own net.

Stoke City 1 - 1 Manchester United

Manchester United's 100 per cent start to the Barclays Premier League season came to an end at the Britannia Stadium thanks to Peter Crouch's first goal for Stoke City.

United went into the match without Wayne Rooney - rumoured to have picked up a hamstring injury - and lost Javier Hernandez early on after he was tackled by Jonathan Woodgate, but took the lead in the 27th minute when Nani played a one-two with Darren Fletcher before clipping the ball past Asmir Begovic.

Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea then pulled off great stops to deny Andy Wilkinson and Jon Walters, but it came as little surprise that the hosts' 52nd-minute equaliser came from a corner, which Crouch, recruited from Tottenham Hotspur for a record £10m last month, met with his head to open his account for his new club.

The result means United leapfrog Manchester City to return to the top of the table, but they are only ahead of their derby rivals, who earlier beat Everton 2-0, on goal difference.

It was also just deserts for Stoke, who put in a battling performance and have now lost only once in 12 matches in all competitions this term.

A trip to the Britannia Stadium had always promised to give a searching examination of De Gea's ability under the high ball and he looked insecure in the opening seconds, flapping at Rory Delap's first long throw into the box before the danger passed.

BACK POST

Moments later the Potters survived a scare of their own as Hernandez found himself through on goal.

Woodgate made a challenge from behind which sent the Mexican sprawling into the onrushing Begovic, but while Hernandez stayed down hurt and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson cried out for a penalty, referee Peter Walton allowed play to go on.

Glenn Whelan was then booked for upending Patrice Evra before Phil Jones saw his header from Anderson's free-kick cleared by Delap.

Hernandez was unable to continue and in the 11th minute came off for Michael Owen, scorer of two goals in the midweek Carling Cup win at Leeds United.

Another Delap throw led to Stoke winning a corner and De Gea looked stranded when it came in from Matthew Etherington, with Crouch heading wide at the back post but penalised for climbing over Jones.

At the other end, Dimitar Berbatov - who had been called in as Rooney's replacement to make his first league start of the season - nodded Anderson's corner off target.

The deadlock was broken just before the half-hour mark when Nani linked up with Fletcher, burst into the area and fired past Begovic.

Within seconds, Stoke nearly equalised as De Gea did superbly to tip Wilkinson's fierce drive onto the woodwork.

Ponderous play from Begovic almost let in Nani to make it 2-0 but the Portugal international put his effort over the bar.

Back came Stoke, and after Delap had cracked a shot wide from distance De Gea produced another fantastic save to turn Walters' shot around the post.

LOW EFFORT

Woodgate headed over from the resulting corner with De Gea again failing to convince in an aerial situation, and Crouch and Jermaine Pennant then both slid in to no avail in an attempt to get on the end of Walters' cross.

Having finished the first half strongly, Stoke picked up where they left off after the restart and seven minutes in, were level.

Etherington swung in a corner and with De Gea stood on his line, Crouch rose to head home.

Berbatov sent a shot into Begovic's arms, but it was Stoke who had all the momentum and Crouch looked set to score again when he brought down Pennant's chip in front of goal, only for De Gea to get in the way enough for the ball to deflect over.

Begovic then got down to save a low effort from Anderson and De Gea punched away Marc Wilson's firm free-kick.

After Ashley Young's strike had been batted away by Begovic, the former Aston Villa winger came off for Ryan Giggs while Danny Welbeck replaced Berbatov.

Giggs delivered a ball into the six-yard box, but Ryan Shawcross was on hand to get there ahead of Owen, who then looped a header over the bar.

Both sides had chances to win it towards the end, with Crouch sending a header and volley wide before Giggs fired over in stoppage time

Liverpool 2 - 1 Wolves

Liverpool returned to winning ways but made hard work of it at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers as defensive frailties and equally-fragile confidence levels were almost exposed for a third successive week.

Everything appeared to be going to plan as a Roger Johnson own goal, diverting in Charlie Adam's shot, and another magical Luis Suarez strike appeared to have put the Reds in the comfort zone at half-time.

But substitute Steven Fletcher pulled one back within minutes of the second half starting to ratchet up the pressure on the hosts, who were guilty of missing a number of opportunities to make the victory easier than it turned out to be.

Having lost back-to-back matches at Stoke City and Tottenham Hotpsur, where they lost 4-0, it was understandable nerves would be shaky.

And with the Reds keen to avoid a third successive defeat, which would have been their worst run since 2003, the pressure to secure a victory - especially with the Merseyside derby and the visit of Manchester United around the corner - was all-important.

What was equally key to Kenny Dalglish's side's fortunes this season was captain Steven Gerrard making his first Barclays Premier League appearance since March having recovered from a groin operation.

Wolves had actually started the brighter, aided by their hosts' penchant for conceding free-kicks outside their own penalty area.

Their best chance fell to Jamie O'Hara when a ill-judged backpass from Martin Kelly, returning to the side in the absence of the injured Daniel Agger, saw the midfielder shoot weakly at Jose Reina.

FREE HEADER

A couple of Adam corners caused some difficulties for the Wolves defence but not as much as the midfielder's 11th-minute long-range shot.

Stewart Downing's lay-off saw the Scotland midfielder unleash a 25-yard shot which was diverted past Wayne Hennessey by Johnson's diving header.

Andy Carroll, still the subject of intense debate about his place in the side, could have silenced his critics with a free header from Downing's corner but planted the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

In his favour, however, the England international's performance offered plenty apart from a goal.

But it was Suarez who, once again, was providing the major threat up front with the Wolves centre-backs struggling to contain the Uruguay forward.

Johnson was left bewildered when Suarez brought down Reina's kick and turned the defender inside the penalty area only for his cross to be cut out.

Two further half-chances fell to the South American before he finally got his just desserts in the 38th minute with a goal which owed everything to his movement and Jose Enrique's vision.

The Liverpool left-back lifted a ball over the top of the defence and his team-mate timed his run perfectly to collect, turn Christophe Berra inside then out before firing a shot inside the near post.

FAR POST

Just before the break Suarez poked another shot just wide of the far post.

But Liverpool's defensive record this season - they have kept only one clean sheet - meant the third goal would be crucial and it fell to Wolves.

Four minutes after coming on for the start of the second half boyhood Reds fan Fletcher smashed home a shot from Stephen Hunt's cut-back after Reina and Martin Skrtel had got in the way of each other trying to clear their lines.

But Wolves almost crumbled in the aftermath as Hennessey produced his most important save of the match to block Suarez's effort at close quarters from Carroll's knockdown.

Carroll headed against a post while Hennessey made yet another vital block to deny Downing, who should have scored after Liverpool broke quickly on the counter-attack.

Wolves recovered their composure and turned the tables with an extended spell of pressure which caused some consternation amid the massed Red ranks and almost saw Berra equalise with a far-post header.

The long-awaited appearance of Gerrard, who made a brief substitute appearance in the Carling Cup in midweek, finally arrived in the 81st minute when the England midfielder replaced Suarez, who had run himself into the ground.

When the ball dropped to the Reds captain 25 yards out he did not need a second invitation to unleash a dipping volley but there was no fairytale Anfield comeback as the ball bounced wide.

There were a few worrying moments before the end but Dalglish's side saw them out to get back on the winning track

Newcastle United 3 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

Demba Ba opened his Newcastle United account with a hat-trick as the Magpies brushed Blackburn Rovers aside to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

The Senegal international scored twice inside three first-half minutes to give his side a commanding lead, and then after Junior Hoilett had pulled one back for the visitors, who had Martin Olsson sent off, headed home a third with 54 minutes gone.

Alan Pardew's men might have won even more comfortably with Leon Best passing up two late opportunities to add to his three goals for the season, but they were good value for a win which took them to 12 points from a possible 18 and stretched their run to eight matches without defeat in all competitions during the current campaign.

In the process, they ended Blackburn's remarkable run of five successive Barclays Premier League victories at St James' Park on an afternoon when they never looked like adding to it in front of a crowd of 46,236.

The two sides will meet again in the Carling Cup fourth round at Ewood Park next month after being paired together in today's draw, but the Magpies will head to Lancashire brimming with confidence after cementing their place in the upper ranks of the league table.

There was much frustration on Tyneside when the summer transfer window closed with the club having failed to land the high-profile striker for whom they had been searching since Andy Carroll's departure in January.

Amid the fall-out, however, Ba's arrival had gone largely unnoticed after an uncertain start to his career at St James'.

BRIGHT START

But this was the day the 26-year-old chose to announce himself in style with a treble which reminded the locals of the potency which brought him seven goals in just 12 Barclays Premier League appearances for West Ham last season.

Ba whistled a long-range sixth-minute effort over Paul Robinson's crossbar as the Magpies made a bright start with Gabriel Obertan particularly influential.

But he demonstrated his prowess in front of goal 21 minutes later when he opened his account in some style.

Best's driven cross from the left presented its own challenges, but Ba controlled superbly to turn central defender Scott Dann and smash a right-foot shot past Robinson.

The striker dropped to the ground to kiss the turf, and he was celebrating again within three minutes.

Steven Taylor, who had headed upfield for an earlier free-kick, was still deep in enemy territory to head Danny Simpson's deep ball back across the penalty area and Olsson could only help it on towards Ba, who headed it past the stranded Robinson from close range.

That really should have been it for the Magpies, who had dominated for much of the opening half-hour, and they might have added to their lead had Dann not made an important block to keep out Jonas Gutierrez's 36th-minute shot.

However, Rovers got themselves back into the match seconds later after Ryan Taylor had gifted them possession on halfway.

SPIRITED FASHION

Mauro Formica capitalised and the ball was fed out to Olsson on the left, and he crossed for Hoilett, who had looked the visitors' most dangerous player, to control and thump a half-volley into the roof of the net.

Pardew was furious on the touchline, although his mood might have improved on the stoke of half-time had Obertan's shot flown inside rather than outside the post after he and Yohan Cabaye had staged a pacy counter-attack.

Rovers returned in spirited fashion and went close when Olsson met Michael Salgado's 53rd-minute cross and looped a shot on to Tim Krul's crossbar.

But the Magpies eased further ahead within seconds when Ba looped a header over Robinson and into the net with Best desperately trying to get the final touch.

Simpson was almost caught out by Olsson once again on the hour when he failed to intercept another Salgado cross, but the ball hit the midfielder's shins and dropped wide.

Obertan curled a 68th-minute shot just wide with Newcastle dominant once again, and they caused was aided further two minutes later when Olsson was dismissed after being booked for the second time for a cynical challenge on Best.

Cabaye tested Robinson from distance and Best twice fired over the top after working himself into promising positions.

David N'Zonzi launched a dipping long-range effort over Krul's bar with eight minutes remaining, but Rovers' cause was forlorn

West Brom 0 - 0 Fulham

West Bromwich Albion keeper Ben Foster made up for his error in the last home match with a superb double save to rescue a Barclays Premier League point against fellow strugglers Fulham at The Hawthorns.

Foster had gifted Stoke City substitute Ryan Shotton a last-gasp winner but atoned with superb stops in quick succession to keep out Cottagers defender John Arne Riise and substitute Bryan Ruiz.

The visitors, still without a league win this season, dominated the first period with skipper Danny Murphy dictating play but Albion posed more of a threat in the second period.

Peter Odemwingie posed more of a threat for the Baggies when pushed upfront for the second 45 minutes but Fulham held firm with centre-back Brede Hangeland marshalling his defence well.

West Brom were the first to threaten with skipper Chris Brunt getting on the end of a Nicky Shorey cross but his powerful header was directed straight at Mark Schwarzer.

Then Youssouf Mulumbu dispossessed Pajtim Kasami 20 yards out and his low drive forced a sprawling save by Schwarzer to his right.

But it was two rare moments of danger for Fulham who dominated the remainder of the first half.

PUSHING UPFRONT

Murphy found Orlando Sa in space inside the box but a fine block tackle by Gareth McAuley deflected his shot for a corner.

Albion had a let-off after 12 minutes when Foster spilled a low shot from Clint Dempsey and the rebound was converted by Kasami - but replays showed he was offside.

The Albion fans were becoming frustrated at the amount of possession being enjoyed by the visitors who were not being closed down quickly enough.

Striker Shane Long was too isolated upfront for West Brom in a 4-5-1 formation and lack of support meant him attempting a shot from a narrow angle which flew harmlessly over the bar.

Jol's side were increasingly looking the more likely to break the deadlock with McAuley blocking a Sa attempt on the edge of the box and Foster clinging onto a Dempsey header.

Albion reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for the second period with Odemwingie pushing upfront alongside Long.

But initially Fulham still looked the more dangerous and twice went close to going ahead.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

The woodwork came to West Brom's rescue when defender Jonas Olsson inadvertently deflected a volley by Dempsey against his own bar.

Then Dembele found himself unmarked 15 yards out but could not keep his shot down.

Hangeland became the first player to be booked after bringing down Long and then Grygera was yellow carded for fouling Thomas.

Albion appealed in vain for a penalty after a challenge on Long by Chris Baird.

Odemwingie had a great chance to put Albion in front after 64 minutes when he ran on to a through ball from Mulumbu but he shot straight at Schwarzer.

Baird became the third Fulham player to be booked for hauling down Odemwingie.

Only a superb double save by Foster prevented Ruiz from making an immediate impact.

The former Manchester United keeper blocked a fiercely driven free-kick by Riise with Foster then up quickly to turn the follow-up effort from Ruiz onto a post from two yards out.

Brunt nearly earned Albion victory in injury-time when his low cross-shot hit the post and Sa fired over at the other end.

Wigan 1 - 2 Tottenham

Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale struck early to claim three Barclays Premier League points for Tottenham Hotspur at the DW Stadium but they were almost undone by a stirring fightback from 10-man Wigan Athletic.

Harry Redknapp's men should have been out of sight at half-time but they only had two early efforts to show from 45 minutes in which they were totally dominant.

A neat 49th-minute finish from Mohamed Diame thrust the Latics back in to contention and, despite Steve Gohouri's 63rd-minute red card, Roberto Martinez's men threatened right to the end.

Van der Vaart stepped in to replace Jermain Defoe after the Spurs striker picked up a virus, with Sandro also coming in for Niko Kranjcar in the only other change to the side that thumped Liverpool 4-0 last weekend.

Martinez made two changes from the 3-1 loss at Everton, with Diame and Gohouri in for the injured Hugo Rodallega and Adrian Lopez.

Spurs looked sleek from the start and came close in the opening minute when Scott Parker found Kyle Walker on the right and his cross was bundled clear by James McCarthy.

And Harry Redknapp's men grabbed the lead in the third minute when Emmanuel Adebayor pounced on Maynor Figueroa's awful back-pass, beat Gary Caldwell and crossed for Van der Vaart to sweep home.

The visitors were looking devastating in the opening minutes and Adebayor once again carved the home defence apart with a through-ball to Bale, whose effort was cleared.

RELENTLESS PRESSURE

Then moments later Walker delivered another pinpoint pass to Adebayor, who blasted his rising shot just over the bar when he should have scored.

Wigan were having a nightmare, and Spurs should have capitalised again on eight minutes when Ali Al Habsi panicked into clearing a back-pass straight to Parker, who was closed down.

The hosts finally fashioned their first chance in the 12th minute when Jordi Gomez delivered a free-kick from the right and both Diame and Victor Moses were close to connecting.

Spurs' seemingly inevitable second goal arrived in the 23rd minute when Bale was left unmarked in the box and was able to flick home Luka Modric's right-wing corner.

The Wales winger almost repeated the feat in an identical move five minutes later as the inept Wigan rearguard showed no signs of learning from their mistakes.

As Spurs continued their relentless pressure, Adebayor fed Bale who burst in from the left and drilled a low shot which was saved well by Al Habsi on the half-hour.

Martinez swapped Jordi Gomez for Ronnie Stam at the break and his side started the second half with more purpose, a dangerous Moses cross booted out of the six-yard box by Younes Kaboul.

And Stam was instrumental in the Latics reducing the deficit on 49 minutes, pouncing on a poor Benoit Assou-Ekotto clearance to feed Diame, who twisted and fired a superb low shot past Brad Friedel.

With the match suddenly wide open, Spurs poured forward straight from the restart and Adebayor drove in a low shot which was blocked by Al Habsi.

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION

Wigan looked like a different team, with Moses suddenly incisive on the left flank, Diame bossing centre-field and Caldwell almost setting Franco Di Santo clear with a pinpoint pass.

But their revival threatened to be cut short in the 63rd minute when Gohouri was sent off for a second bookable offence after hacking down Bale.

Modric had a hopeful penalty appeal waved away by referee Jon Moss in the 68th minute and the action quickly swung to the other end, where Friedel saved comfortably from Moses.

Martinez made a double substitution on 73 minutes with Conor Sammon and James McArthur replacing Di Santo and Ben Watson as Wigan sought an improbable draw.

Kaboul almost made sure of the points for Spurs six minutes from time when he bulleted in a free-kick which struck the Wigan wall and clattered the bar.

There was still time for the Latics to launch a series of late assaults, with McArthur coming close from long range and Sammon miscuing a shot in the box, but they could not find the equaliser.

Chelsea 4 - 1 Swansea City

Fernando Torres' mixed fortunes continued as he found the net before seeing red for an ugly challenge in Chelsea's comfortable Barclays Premier League victory over Swansea City.

Sunday's defeat at Manchester United had seen £50m man Torres score for only the second time in his Blues career before missing an open-goal.

He scored today with another fine finish before seeing red for inexplicably diving in studs first on Mark Gower in between a Ramires brace, which was followed by Ashley Williams' consolation and a comeback goal for Didier Drogba.

But being down to 10 men for more than half a match for the second time in four days - Chelsea suffered the same fate in their midweek Carling Cup win over Fulham - was hardly ideal preparation for Wednesday's Champions League showdown in Valencia.

Torres' dismissal also meant a three-match domestic ban and ensured he would once again make headlines for the wrong reasons, despite beginning to repay his record-breaking transfer fee in earnest.

Frank Lampard starting on the bench today was also a talking point, although the midfielder played 76 minutes on Wednesday night.

Chelsea's bid to close the five-point gap to United did not begin well, with the hosts outplayed by the visitors in the opening 15 minutes.

Raul Meireles volleyed over when well-placed and Ramires had a close-range shot blocked but Chelsea were failing to replicate the beautiful game Villas-Boas insisted they had produced last weekend.

DRAMATIC FASHION

That changed in dramatic fashion in the 29th minute when Juan Mata chipped a ball over the top and Angel Rangel played Torres onside, allowing him to swivel and find the bottom corner.

Mata was needlessly booked for hauling back Rangel, with Williams close to converting the resultant free-kick.

But Chelsea's scintillating football finally arrived nine minutes from half-time when a sweeping breakaway saw Ashley Cole pick out Ramires, who drilled the ball through Michael Vorm's legs.

But Torres then undid all his good work when he was sent off three minutes later for a bad tackle on Gower.

Referee Mike Dean had no choice but to show red for the challenge, despite it appearing more clumsy than malicious.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, who enjoyed a pre-match ovation on his return to the club where he was reserve-team boss for four years, threw on Wayne Routledge for Leon Britton during the interval.

The visitors laid siege to the Chelsea goal after the restart as Meireles almost slid the ball into his own net, the livewire Nathan Dyer saw his shot deflect off John Obi Mikel and loop onto the crossbar, and Williams misdirected a header from the resultant corner.

INDIVIDUAL GOAL

A desperate challenge from Mikel prevented Leroy Lita converting Rangel's cross and the subsequent corner was headed goalward by Williams, only for Jose Bosingwa to clear off the line.

Dyer was booked for felling Anelka as Chelsea broke and Ramires also volleyed wide before Mata was withdrawn for Florent Malouda and the fit-again Danny Graham came on for Lita just before the hour mark.

Anelka almost scored a superb individual goal after being allowed to carry the ball 25 yards before unleashing a piledriver against the bar.

Chelsea began to cope with their man disadvantage, as they had against Fulham on Wednesday, forcing Swansea to introduce Stephen Dobbie for Dyer.

Garry Monk was booked for tripping Anelka 15 minutes from time and the 10 men made it 3-0 a minute later, Ramires too easily cutting inside Williams before passing the ball beyond Vorm.

Drogba made his long-awaited return from his sickening head injury for the final 11 minutes as Anelka was withdrawn.

Josh McEachran also replaced Ramires before Swansea finally netted in the 86th minute, the unmarked Williams heading home his first Barclays Premier League goal from Gower's free-kick.

Vorm saved well from Malouda, Williams went close to nodding in his second in stoppage time and Ramires dragged a hat-trick chance wide before Drogba turned on Malouda's pass and steered the ball beyond Vorm to add gloss to the scoreline.

Arsenal 3 - 0 Bolton

Robin van Persie scored his 100th Arsenal goal as the Gunners put their recent troubles behind them with a comfortable victory over 10-man Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.

After a drab first-half display the Gunners sprang in to life in the second and opened the scoring when Van Persie beat Jussi Jaaskelainen at his near post just 40 seconds after the break.

David Wheater then saw red for pulling back Theo Walcott when he was through on goal before Van Persie brought up his ton with a clever flick and Alex Song struck near the death to complete the morale-boosting win.

The victory, Arsenal's second of the season, moved them away from the relegation zone and ended a difficult seven days for the club.

After having come from behind to beat League Two Shrewsbury in midweek, and seeing Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis give him his full backing, manager Arsene Wenger will sleep a lot easier than he did last Saturday when his team crumbled against lowly Blackburn Rovers.

There were signs at the start of the match that Arsenal were going to put in another poor performance after they started nervously in front of their demanding home support.

GLANCING HEADER

Bolton, who left Gary Cahill at home and Kevin Davies on the bench, almost took the lead in the third minute when Wojciech Szczesny pulled off a brilliant save to deny Darren Pratley from six yards.

Wheater then just missed a glancing header from eight yards before Arsenal finally woke up.

Mikel Arteta was given space in midfield and sent Gervinho through with a brilliant slide-rule pass, but the striker's first touch was poor and Jussi Jaaskelainen came out to smother.

Van Persie then came within inches of handing Arsenal the lead in the 10th minute when he picked up Arteta's short pass from a free-kick and lashed a wicked curling shot just wide of the Bolton goal.

Davies' rare spell among the substitutes did not last long as he came on in the 20th minute to replace David Ngog, who had to come off after clashing heads with Laurent Koscielny.

Gervinho wasted a good chance when he blasted over from 20 yards before Laurent Koscielny's overhead kick dribbled wide.

Two blocks at the end of the half from Paul Robinson and Wheater ensured that Bolton's defence remained unbreached by the half-time whistle, which was greeted by some boos from the home support.

Arsenal were a completely different team in the second half. They came out flying after the break and took just 40 seconds to score.

Aaron Ramsey strode forward with the ball and played in Van Persie, the Dutchman held off Fabrice Muamba's strong challenge and fired low past Jaaskelainen at his near post to register his 99th goal for Arsenal

The goal galvanised Arsenal and Jaaskelainen saved well from Van Persie after the striker had ventured in to the box.

BLOCKED WELL

Bolton were on the rack and their task was made much harder in the 55th minute when Wheater pulled Walcott back just outside the box after being played through by Ramsey.

With the England winger being through on goal with only Jaaskelainen to beat, referee Mark Clattenburg had no choice but to send Wheater off.

The Gunners were by now were clearly in the ascendancy and Arteta came close to doubling their lead with a side-footed effort that crept just wide.

Jaaskelainen blocked well from the Spaniard before Bolton hit back on the counter with a rare attack. Chris Eagles raced clear after being played in by Martin Petrov but the former Manchester United man wasted his golden opportunity by hitting a weak shot in to Szczesny's arms.

Jaaskelainen had to scamper across his line to deny Van Persie and was then tested by a powerful Laurent Koscielny volley.

With 20 minutes left Van Persie brought up his Arsenal ton and gave the Gunners the two-goal cushion they needed to feel safe.

Walcott beat his marker down the right and crossed low for the Dutchman, who turned home with a cheeky flick which beat Jaaskelainen from five yards.

Walcott should have made it 3-0 when he raced through after a brilliant ball by Song but Jaaskelainen palmed the winger's weak effort wide.

Only a crucial block from Zat Knight prevented Van Persie from scoring his hat trick with six minutes left before the former Feyenoord man came off to a standing ovation when he was replaced by Marouane Chamakh.

The rout was completed two minutes from time when Bacary Sagna's pull-back was met by Song, who cracked a wonderful curler past Jaaskelainen to make it 3-0.

With victory now guaranteed, the home support broke in to a chant of "there's only one Arsene Wenger" but there were worrying scenes for the Arsenal boss and the Gunners support at the end of the match when Walcott pulled up and hobbled off through injury.

Man City 2 - 0 Everton

Substitute Mario Balotelli came to Manchester City's rescue by inspiring Roberto Mancini's men to a 2-0 victory against bogey team Everton.

As always, City were finding it sticky going against the Toffeemen.

Balotelli's introduction after an hour changed all that, the Italian's shot flying in off Phil Jagielka to put the Blues on the way to a precious victory at the Etihad Stadium that was sealed by James Milner in the final minute.

There could not be a greater contrast between City's vast wealth and the relative hand-to-mouth existence of their north-west neighbours.

Yet Everton are a stoic bunch and despite enduring another summer of fiscal austerity, manager David Moyes has engineered a decent start.

And, of course, there was that amazing record against City to protect. Since Sheikh Mansour completed his Blues buy-out in 2008, the clubs have met on six occasions. Everton have won five, including the last four, proving money cannot buy you everything.

Moyes' masterplan this time was to send Jack Rodwell scurrying around after danger-man David Silva all afternoon.

CURLING SHOT

It was a task Rodwell stuck to gamely, and clearly Silva did not like, even though he responded in textbook fashion, moving himself next to Leighton Baines, in theory creating a huge hole for the remainder of City's midfield to fill.

That they did not manage it was in part due to the cussedness of Phil Neville and Seamus Coleman, who tackled anything that moved, and part due to lacklustre displays from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, neither of whom imposed themselves on the contest.

Indeed, there were only 10 minutes of the opening period remaining when Tim Howard was forced into his first save.

It was a good one though, the American parrying away Sergio Aguero's goalbound curling shot despite the not inconsiderable frame of Edin Dzeko closing in.

Howard also denied Gareth Barry shortly afterwards as City began to turn the screw, although by the time referee Howard Webb blew his whistle for half-time, Everton were showing more attacking intent than they had done since the opening moments, when they were actually on top.

The hosts came close to opening their account straight after the restart when former City skipper Sylvain Distin rather unconvincingly combined with Howard to turn Nasri's dangerous cross behind.

SLIGHT DEFLECTION

Mancini's men were unable to maintain the pressure though, so with an hour gone, the Italian turned to Balotelli, ahead of deposed skipper Carlos Tevez. A very astute move it turned out to be too.

Everton were still reorganising following the exit of Tim Cahill, who had earlier guided a header just over but then came off worst in a challenge with Vincent Kompany that led to him becoming the fourth visiting player booked when the Italian struck.

Aguero was the architect, crabbing in from the right flank before rolling the ball into Balotelli's path as he found his own route into the penalty area blocked.

Without a league goal since February, but becalmed after a pre-season row with his manager in the United States and a scorer in the midweek Carling Cup win over Birmingham, the Italy striker took aim, benefiting from a slight deflection off Jagielka as the ball nestled in the far corner.

The 21-year-old immediately sprinted off to his manager to celebrate, any irritation that has at times existed between the pair currently not in evidence.

Within a couple of minutes, Silva had almost made it two, drilling a low shot against the base of Howard's left-hand post, the Everton keeper knowing he was getting nowhere near it.

Howard was able to reach Balotelli's next effort, a stinging shot from the edge of the area that was heading for the bottom corner.

The Toffeemen were on the back foot though and only an offside flag prevented them conceding a second after Silva had tapped home Balotelli's cross.

Milner eventually secured the win, racing onto Silva's through ball before keeping his nerve to beat Howard in the final minute

Wilshere to go under Knife

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere needs ankle surgery and is expected to be out for "a period of months".

The 19-year-old England international has been troubled by a stress fracture, but it was hoped the problem would heal itself with the help of a protective boot.

However, Arsenal have confirmed in a statement that Wilshere's ankle has failed to respond to the treatment and he will now go under the knife on Monday morning

The midfielder is expected to be sidelined for several months.

SPEEDY RECOVERY

"Throughout Jack's injury, the club has been guided by the continuous advice of several world-renowned specialists," said the statement on on the Arsenal website.

"The information attained this week has led to the conclusion that surgery is now required to gain an optimal response.

"Wilshere is now expected to be out for a period of months. Following surgery these timescales will become more specific."

A club spokesman added: "We have given Jack time to heal naturally which is important wherever possible with a young player.

"The latest scans show surgery is needed. Everyone at the club wishes Jack a speedy recovery."

Wilshere has been troubled by his ankle throughout the summer, having sustained the original problem in the Euro 2012 qualifier between England and Switzerland in June and then aggravating it in a pre-season game a month later.

And while it had been hoped Wilshere would return in a matter of weeks, manager Arsene Wenger is now expected to be without the player until the end of this year.

Wilshere wrote on his twitter account on Friday night: "Been in a boot for a month and the bone is not responding. I will have surgery on my right ankle on Monday with the two best surgeons around.

"Hopefully I will return to action around Christmas time. I am in good hands! Thanks for your support everyone!"

Hahnemann Joins Everton

Everton have signed experienced goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann on a short-term deal.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Reading stopper has signed a contract with the Blues until January.

The American will provide back-up to fellow countryman Tim Howard and Slovakia international Jan Mucha.

The 39-year-old was released by the Molineux club in the summer and will now link up with the Merseysiders ahead of their trip to Manchester CityEXPERIENCED CAMPAIGNER

Hahnemann has nine international caps but has largely been a back-up to Howard, who has emerged as the USA's first choice.

Manager David Moyes said the experienced campaigner would bolster the keeping ranks.

He told the official club website: "We have only got two so I felt we needed someone before the window closed and I have been on the look out for a keeper.

"He is experienced and will give us that bit of extra cover we were after."

Jones lay off for three weeks

Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones has been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

The former Sunderland man limped off during Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur, which Stoke won on penalties.

A scan has revealed that there is only minor damage to the hamstring and he could return for the match against Fulham on 15th October.

Before then, the Potters play Manchester United, Besiktas and Swansea City before heading into the international break.

Despite competing for a place with Cameron Jerome, Peter Crouch and Jon Walters, Jones has played in nine of Stoke's 11 matches this season and scored against Norwich City in August.

EXTREMELY BRIGHT

Assistant manager Dave Kemp told the club's official website: "There is a slight problem, but it's nothing too serious.

"Kenwyne will miss this weekend's game and more than likely next week's two games as well, but after that we have the break which will give him a bit of time to get up and running again.

"It is disappointing for us, and for him, because he has carried on from the end of last season with his form and done very well for us.

"He looked extremely bright against Tottenham before he had to come off."

Nani Aims to be the Best

Manchester United winger Nani has set his sights on becoming the best player in the world.

The Portuguese star hopes to take another step towards that long-term goal by having his best season yet for Manchester United.

Although it ultimately ended in disappointment, when he was left out of Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up for the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, Nani felt he moved his game onto another level last term

The reason seemed obvious. Antonio Valencia's lengthy absence with an ankle injury allowed Nani to switch onto his preferred right wing, from where he produced a series of devastating performances, ending the season with more Barclays Premier League assists than anyone else.

"Last year was my best year, definitely my most consistent season," the Portugal wide-man told Inside United.

"Now I hope this is my year. I will do my best.

"If I am fit for every game, I am 100 per cent sure I will do my best and will do well for my team.

"This is a big chance to show I can do much more; that I'm a good player with a very strong mentality."

Nani has started in blistering form, scoring twice in the Community Shield, including the last-minute winner against Manchester City as United roared back from two goals down.

OTHER PRIORITIES

He then bagged his first league goal of the campaign in that annihilation of Arsenal, before firing in an excellent first-half effort in last weekend's victory over Chelsea.

Nani will hope to maintain that form against Stoke City on Saturday, aided by the arrival of Ashley Young, whose preference for playing on the left has again released the 24-year-old onto the opposite flank.

It is only a couple of years ago that Nani appeared to have no future at United.

Certainly any claim of wanting to be the world's best would have been greeted with laughter.

Now, although he is still adrift of Lionel Messi and former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, it is not quite so far-fetched.

"That's one dream I've got: to be the best in the world," he said.

"But I don't let it frustrate me. I have other priorities like winning trophies with the team.

"Hopefully, when I have finished playing football, people will say 'Nani was a fantastic player who won a lot of titles and beat records at the club'.

"I know I have the condition to be among the select best players in the world but I have to work hard and show that."

Dalglish urges caution over Gerrard

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has urged England coach Fabio Capello to be "intelligent" about using Steven Gerrard.

The midfielder, who Dalglish described as the club's talisman, made a welcome return to action in Wednesday night's 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Gerrard, 31, had been sidelined for more than six months after an operation on a groin problem in March ended his season prematurely

He came off the bench as a 75th-minute substitute at the Amex Stadium but Dalglish said that does not mean it was now full steam ahead for the Reds captain.

England have a Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro on 7th October but Dalglish wants Gerrard to get his match sharpness up at a comfortable speed and not for him to be over-worked too early.

"I don't pick England's team. Whatever they have to do, they have to do," said the Scot when asked whether it would be a risk for Capello to name the midfielder in his squad.

"I just hope they are as intelligent as what we have been."

IMPORTANT PERSON

Dalglish has always stressed Gerrard's recovery and rehabilitation would not be rushed - despite the player's obvious desire to make a comeback.

And that approach will not change just because Gerrard has now had his first taste of action since March 6.

"We won't be any more careful, professional or intelligent than we have been," he added.

"He's done fantastic coming back and it's fantastic for the whole club that he is back but the most important person in all of it is Steven himself.

"He's missed an awful lot of football through injury so he's done brilliant to get where he is.

"We will just continue in the intelligent manner that we have done.

"We can look forward to him getting even fitter. There will be no timescale or programme, we'll just take it as it comes.

"He's the captain and the talisman of the football club and he's just played around 20 minutes for us.

"He's on his way back and we're absolutely delighted for him."

Pardew dampens Expectations

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew won't allow his players to be carried away by the fine start to the season

The Magpies head into Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with Blackburn Rovers at St James' Park sitting in fourth place in the table and through to the fourth round of the Carling Cup after a seven-match unbeaten run since the campaign got under way

While there is an air of quiet satisfaction around the club's Darsley Park training headquarters, there has been no wild talk of European qualification or cup glory.

Pardew said: "We haven't really got that squad, I am sure of it, but I look around the building and I just see players in good form.

"But this Premier League is such that one game can knock that on its head, so you always have to be on your guard.

"It's heady heights for us, but we are not getting carried away because it is early days."

REAL RESILIENCE

A derby victory at Sunderland contributed three of the nine points the Magpies have collected from their five league fixtures, and that in itself sent spirits soaring.

But a real resilience has been evident during the opening weeks of the season to lay the foundation for a hugely positive, if slightly unexpected, start.

Asked if there are tougher tests to come, Pardew replied: "There are, but we have also not had an easy start.

"Five away games - we have only had two at home - that's been lost a little bit, so even more so, the players have done terrifically."

Pardew made nine changes for Tuesday night's Carling Cup trip to Championship Nottingham Forest, yet still saw his understudies return with a hard-fought 4-3 victory to illustrate that the summer upheaval, which saw the likes of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique leave, has done little to shake the dressing room.

Pardew said: "The players are producing. Whichever player I put out there at the moment seems to have a bit of form about them and confidence, and that bodes well.

"We are slightly ahead of schedule, and that's where we want to stay."