Chelsea and Manchester City produced stirring comebacks on Saturday as the top three all secured victories in the Premier League. Elsewhere, Liverpool ended their Merseyside drought on a day when West Ham, Fulham and Swansea all won.
PA PhotosEdin Dzeko celebrates his dramatic late winner at West Brom
• Brewin: Chelsea deny AVB
Manchester City are yet to lose this season and they struck deep into injury-time - with ten men - to beat West Brom 2-1 at the Hawthorns. Roberto Mancini had to make do without the injured David Silva, and City's task was made even more difficult when James Milner was sent off midway through the first half.
However, after Shane Long had given the Baggies a second-half lead, Edin Dzeko stepped off the bench to net a match-winning brace for the champions.
Juan Mata struck twice in three second-half minutes as Chelsea came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at White Hart Lane.
Gary Cahill gave the Blues the lead in the first period, seizing on William Gallas' poor defensive header to fire a first-time volley into the roof of the net, but Gallas made amends shortly after half-time, steering in from close range at the far post having collected Jan Vertonghen's hooked centre.
Jermain Defoe then turned the game on its head, diverting Aaron Lennon's mishit shot beyond Petr Cech and into the back of the net. That was the cue for Mata to swing the momentum back towards his side, first with a 20-yard drive following another poorly-directed clearance from Gallas and then with a fine finish after a brilliant defence-splitting pass from Eden Hazard.
Mata also made Chelsea's fourth, robbing Kyle Walker before squaring for substitute Daniel Sturridge.
Manchester United remain four points off the pace after they overcame a stubborn Stoke side 4-2 at Old Trafford. Stoke had only been beaten by Chelsea prior to their trip to the Theatre of Dreams, but were undone by two goals from Wayne Rooney as well as efforts from Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck after a Rooney own goal had given the visitors the lead.
Rooney was yet to score in the league this season at the start of play, and he actually notched one against his own team as Stoke took an 11th-minute lead. The England forward quickly made amends, though, as he found the United equaliser 15 minutes later, heading home Van Persie's cross. Van Persie then ensured United took a lead into half-time, smashing home in unerring fashion from Antonio Valencia's assist.
United flew out of the blocks after the interval, netting immediately through Welbeck's diving header, but Stoke continued to fight, reducing the deficit when Kightly advanced unchallenged to make it 3-2. Rooney quickly restored the two-goal cushion as United remained second in the table.
Liverpool ended their wait for a first home league win under Brendan Rodgers, beating Reading 1-0 at Anfield. The Reds last triumphed on home soil in league competition on May 8 against Chelsea, but Raheem Sterling's strike finally gave their fans something to sing about.
Rodgers went into the game without fresh injury absentees Fabio Borini and Pepe Reina, but his side coped well with those setbacks as they moved up to 11th in the table. The opener saw Sterling become the club's second youngest scorer behind Michael Owen as he ran onto Luis Suarez's flick, taking a touch before drilling into the far corner.
Southampton stay dangerously poised above the drop zone after they lost 4-1 to West Ham at Upton Park. The result leaves Saints on four points in 17th place in the table after a Mark Noble brace in addition to goals from Kevin Nolan and Modibo Maiga.
After a dour first half, West Ham exploded from moment the second began, netting the opener when Noble's dangerous free-kick found its way past Artur Boruc under pressure from James Collins, and then adding a second a minute later when Nolan tapped in at the far post.
Adam Lallana gave the Saints hope with 25 minutes remaining, but Noble converted from the spot to kill the game off 18 minutes from time before Maiga added the extras.
Paul Lambert is a manager firmly under pressure after Aston Villa were beaten 1-0 by Fulham at Craven Cottage. Villa are only two points clear of the bottom three after winning one of their opening eight games, with Chris Baird doing the damage for Fulham with an 84th-minute equaliser.
In the other 3pm kick-off, Swansea claimed a 2-1 win over Wigan to move into the top half of the table. Pablo Hernandez and Michu did the job for Swansea in the second half, although Emmerson Boyce's cheeky back-heeled effort made for a tight finish.
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