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Robin van Persie celebrates his double against Sunderland

Arsenal withstood a Sunderland fightback to win 3-2 and return to the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners opened up a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes through a Robin van Persie free-kick and a Philippe Senderos effort but Ross Wallace and Kenwyne Jones levelled for the Black Cats.

The hosts started to grow frustrated as the clock ticked down but Van Persie slotted home Theo Walcott's pass after 80 minutes to secure the win, before Paul McShane was sent off in stoppage time.

The Gunners' north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur came close to producing the result of the day only to be denied a vital win at Liverpool by an injury time goal from Fernando Torres.

Robbie Keane scored twice either side of half-time to give Spurs the lead after Andrei Voronin had opened the scoring for Liverpool.

The visitors were left clinging onto their precious lead only to be denied at the death by Torres.

Manchester City continued their flying start to the season, crushing struggling Middlesbrough 3-1.

Brazilian sensation Elano scored twice as Sven Goran Eriksson's men stayed third in the table, just behind local rivals Manchester United.

Boro defender Chris Riggott turned in Martin Petrov's corner to give the hosts the lead as early as the seventh minute and it was downhill from there on in for Gareth Southgate's side although they clawed a goal back late on through Benjamin Hutchinson.

Salomon Kalou's fine strike earned Chelsea a first win under Avram Grant but their 1-0 victory at The Reebok leaves Bolton Wanderers struggling in the drop zone.

Kalou, in for the suspended Didier Drogba and preferred up front to Andrei Shevchenko, struck from a tight angle after 41 minutes to give the visitors the points.

Michael Owen provided some good news for England manager Steve McClaren when he came on as a 74th minute substitute for Newcastle in their clash with Everton.

And the England striker, back just days after undergoing surgery, struck what turned out to be the winner as The Magpies triumphed 3-2 .

A superb Nicky Butt effort gave the home side the lead but another England striker, Andrew Johnson, levelled for Everton with his first goal of the season.

Emre put the hosts ahead again with Owen making it 3-1 before a comical Shay Given own goal closed the deficit.

After last weekend's 7-4 win over Reading, Portsmouth had to be content with just two goals at Craven Cottage but they were enough to see off Fulham.

Hat-trick hero Benjani was on the mark again on 52 minutes with a deflected effort while Hermann Hreidarsson also needed a slice of luck two minutes later as he made the points safe for Pompey.

Blackburn moved up to sixth in the table thanks to a 2-1 win over Birmingham City.

David Bentley and a Benni McCarthy penalty put Rovers in control but Cameron Jerome pegged the hosts back midway through the second half.

Kevin Doyle scored his first goal of the season as Reading beat Derby County 1-0.

The Republic of Ireland international headed home the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute to leave The Rams still searching for a first away point and first away goal.

The Royals missed a number of chances before John Oster crossed for Doyle to head back across Stephen Bywater and into the net.

• Arsenal 3 Sunderland 2
• Blackburn 2 Birmingham 1
• Bolton 0 Chelsea 1
• Liverpool 2 Tottenham 2
• Manchester City 3 Middlesbrough 1
• Newcastle 3 Everton 2
• Reading 1 Derby 0
• Fulham 0 Portsmouth 2