Wayne Rooney showed he is still the main man at Manchester United, scoring two and assisting one more as the Red Devils cruised to a 4-2 victory over Stoke City in Saturday's English Premier League game, while defending champions Manchester City pulled off a last-gasp victory over West Brom.
Liverpool enjoyed their first win at Anfield this season thanks to a wonderfully taken strike from teenager Raheem Sterling, while Swansea, West Ham and Fulham picked up victories. Arsenal, however, were poor in a 1-0 loss to Norwich City - Grant Holt scoring the all-important goal.
At Old Trafford, it was all about the England international Rooney, pulling the strings in the withdrawn role yet again, but unlike other games also getting in on the scoresheet.
Stoke, however, were the first ones to get on the scoreboard -- Rooney heading into his own net from close-range off a Charlie Adam free kick in the 11th minute.
Rooney, however, quickly made up for that blemish, scoring for United just before the half-hour mark, heading in a pin-perfect cross from Robin Van Persie. The 26-year-old was having a brilliant game, controlling the speed of play at will.
United took the lead off a wonderful finish from the former Arsenal striker. A well-directed low cross from Antonio Valencia, was perfectly directed into the far post - from a near post position - off the outside off his left foot by Van Persie on the stroke of half time.
Danny Welbeck, partnering Van Persie up front, then made it 3-1 - heading in a cross from, who else, Rooney.
Stoke stirred up the game a little bit, when Michael Kightly fought his way into the box before firing in a low strike off the post and past the goal line, just before the hour mark.
However, Rooney put the result beyond doubt, latching onto some indecision off a Van Persie corner to slot in from close-range in the 65th minute.
At the Hawthorns, Man City had Edin Dzeko to thank, the striker giving the champions all three points with two goals in the space of ten minutes.
Shane Long got the opener for West Brom, slotting home off a through ball from Peter Odemwingie. However, if everybody thought the script had been written, there was some drama to come - City as they love to do - scoring two late goals to completely turn the game around.
Dzeko rose to head in off a free kick, moments after coming on, before brilliantly scoring off a counterattack -- Sergio Aguero playing a perfect pass to the big striker to stroke it past West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster.
At Anfield, it was all about the 17-year-old Sterling, whose expert finish off a Luis Suarez through ball gave Liverpool all three points against Reading.
Results: Tottenham 2-4 Chelsea; Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa; Liverpool 1-0 Reading; Man Utd 4-2 Stoke; Swansea 2-1 Wigan; West Brom 1-2 Man City; West Ham 4-1 Southampton.
