London: Ryan Giggs steered Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League in a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, while champions Chelsea landed a 2-1 derby victory over bogey team Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
On a disappointing day for two other title contenders, Liverpool were trounced 3-0 at Everton in the Merseyside derby and Arsenal had to come from behind just to draw 1-1 at home with 10-man Middlesbrough.
It somehow finished 0-0 between Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers despite three penalties being awarded, Fulham left it late to beat Newcastle United 2-1 and Gary Speed converted a stoppage time penalty to give Bolton Wanderers a 1-0 win over Watford.
United made it four wins from four games in the day's late kickoff, opening up a two-point lead over Portsmouth, whose remarkable start continued with a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
United and Spurs both had clearcut chances in an open game at Old Trafford. However, the only man to score was Giggs, who headed in the loose ball after a powerful free kick by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was palmed upwards by England keeper Paul Robinson in the eighth minute.
With an eye on other clubs' form after their players were on duty in Euro 2008 qualifiers and friendlies, United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports News: "Particularly after the internationals, we're very pleased at getting that result. You see other results, teams at the top found it hard today."
"We showed better composure in the second half than we did in the first and we've beaten a good side today. Tottenham will make an impact in this league."
Spurs manager Martin Jol had mixed feelings on the United strike, saying: "A terrific shot, but a stupid goal." Charlton, the only side to deny Chelsea a home league win last season and who also dumped them out of the League Cup, were constantly on the back foot after Didier Drogba gave the champions a sixth-minute lead.
But Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a close season signing from Middlesbrough after being a Chelsea man from 2000-04, took advantage of some lax defending to equalise in the 54th minute.
Fans Singing
Chelsea, whose fans had been singing the Dutchman's name before kickoff at Stamford Bridge, gave a big welcome soon afterwards for left back Ashley Cole, making his debut as a substitute after his move from Arsenal.
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There was more to celebrate in the 63rd minute when Ricardo Carvalho's header from a Frank Lampard corner was deflected in for Chelsea's winner, while Charlton had a Marcus Bent effort disallowed for handball.
The visitors had better luck in the closing stages when keeper Scott Carson pulled off a brilliant save to deny Lampard with a penalty on a bad day for spot-kicks.
"We should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up at the end of the first half and with the game in our pocket," Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports News. "But the reality was 1-0 and that in the second half they were stronger than us and they equalised -- they deserved that."
Defensive blunders led to Liverpool's downfall, with Australia midfielder Tim Cahill opening the scoring for Everton and England striker Andrew Johnson scoring twice.
Everton lie third in the table on 10 points, just behind a Portsmouth side who have yet to concede a goal and whose Zimbabwean striker Benjamin Mwaruwari got Saturday's winner.
Arsenal were trailing to a 22nd strike by James Morrison and only made the breakthrough after a red card for Boro midfielder George Boateng in the 64th minute.
Three minutes later, Thierry Henry converted a penalty for a foul by England winger Stewart Downing on defender Emmanuel Eboue but Arsenal's intense pressure failed to deliver a winner.
Arsene Wenger's side are now a lowly 17th in the table, with just two points from three games in their first season at the 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium.
Wenger, who gave a debut to William Gallas after his arrival from Chelsea as part of the Cole deal, said: "I still feel at the moment we are playing better in every game but we just cannot finish off the teams."
"The main reason -- is maybe a little bit physical. The second is we give the other team confidence by being one goal down, and the third reason is we are not completely used to how to use our pitch."
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