Torres: Reds on the up

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If ever proof be needed that the Premier League is the world's finest then lawyers for the defence would likely cite this weekend's action as being key evidence.

The football played may not have matched the standards set overseas in terms of artistic merit or aesthetic appeal but in terms of drama, upsets, controversy and excitement it could not be faulted.

Referee Rob Styles has made many of the headlines in Monday's press but it would do a disservice to all that preceded and followed the Old Trafford action to focus on one man's mistake - or incompetence - depending on your viewpoint.

The 208th Merseyside derby kicked-off proceedings at Goodison Park as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool demonstrated the steely resolve that has seen them touted as serious title contenders, in taking home a controlled 2-0 victory from the shortest of trips across Stanley Park.

Fernando Torres has been a subdued figure since returning from Euro 2008 with a winners' medal but on Saturday he was at his predatory best in condemning a struggling Everton to their third home defeat in as many league matches.

Both of the Spaniard's goals were immaculate finishes and the woes of Toffees chief David Moyes were exacerbated by the sight of Mike Riley brandishing a red card in the direction of influential midfielder Tim Cahill, for what he perceived to be a reckless lunge on Xabi Alonso.

While Liverpool have enjoyed a record-equalling best start to a Premier League campaign, Manchester United's early season form has been sluggish.

Sir Alex Ferguson claims his side never hit top form until October and while they were they always in control at Old Trafford against Bolton they owed more than a little to Styles spotting Jlloyd Samuel's 'foul' on Cristiano Ronaldo that 75,484 supporters and two sets of players/benches/managers did not.

Ronaldo on his first start of the season dispatched from the penalty spot with customary aplomb before Wayne Rooney demonstrated to his manager why he's more effective on the pitch than the sidelines, by illuminating his cameo substitute appearance with a stunning second goal.

Luiz Felipe Scolari is too canny a manager to make changes for changes sake, so when he arrived at Chelsea his mantra was always one of evolution than revolution. What the Brazilian has done though is release his full-backs from the shackles of previous regimes.

Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa have both played a key role in Chelsea's strutting start to the campaign and it was the latter at the hub of their victory at Stoke.

Tony Pulis' Potters competed manfully but could do nothing about Chelsea's opener ten minutes before the break as a buccaneering Bosingwa took Frank Lampard's cute pass on his chest before rifling past Thomas Sorensen.

The win was secured in the second half when from Bosingwa's cross, via some hari-kari Stoke defending, substitute Nicolas Anelka reminded Scolari that Didier Drogba is not the only top class striker on the books at Stamford Bridge.

Hoping to make it a clean sweep of wins for the 'big four' were Arsenal in Saturday's evening kick-off, as top flight debutants Hull made their first ever trip to Emirates Stadium.

Despite a hugely promising start to their season the bookies gave Hull not a prayer on their sojourn south, offering odds of 20-1 for a City win. Phil Brown thought otherwise though and set his side up to go for the jugular as Daniel Cousin and Marlon King were paired in attack, with Geovanni in support.

The plan worked to perfection as Geovanni stunned the home crowd with a wondrous strike from range that left Manuel Almunia clutching air, to cancel out Arsenal's opener which had seen Paul McShane inadvertently put through his own goal from Theo Walcott's whipped delivery. Hull refused to settle for a point though, as Cousin rose to flick home a near post header late on to leave Arsene Wenger, in his own words, feeling 'physically sick' at the final whistle.

Arsenal's problems pale into insignificance when placed against Newcastle's though, who now have only Tottenham acting as a fireman's blanket below them in the table following a 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn. New interim boss Joe Kinnear was in the stands to watch his new side, having earlier endeared himself to a sceptical Toon faithful by replying 'What's that?' when asked by a journalist if he'd had a pint yet in Newcastle's famed Quayside.

At 4.45pm the whole Geordie nation was in need of a stiffener as turgid defending allowed Christopher Samba and then Roque Santa Cruz to give Paul Ince the easiest of half-time team talks. Michael Owen won and converted a penalty after the break, but come the final whistle the image of Kinnear watching the action through his fingers said a thousand words.

All-in-all, it was an altogether miserable day for football in the North East, as Sunderland went down to defeat despite taking the lead at Aston Villa and Tony Mowbray celebrated his return to Middlesbrough by taking back to the Midlands a maximum haul.

After labelling a minority of his Sunderland detractors 'idiots' in midweek, Black Cats boss Roy Keane could have done with at least a share of the spoils from what was an admittedly tough trip to Villa Park.

All looked to be going to plan when Djibril Cisse demonstrated the composure he so often lacks, in firing a first time finish past Brad Friedel from Steed Malbranque's eye of the needle slide-rule pass early on.

Villa under Martin O'Neill are a side made of sterner stuff these days than previous regimes and it was no surprise that Sunderland's lead proved to be short lived. Ashley Young made a further case for his inclusion in England's ranks with his eighth goal in 15 matches, courtesy of a clever free-kick. And it got even better before the half-time break as John Carew demonstrated he's got cleverer feet than many give him credit for, as he back-heeled home Stilian Petrov's drilled right wing cross.

The Riverside faithful afforded Boro legend Mowbray a warm welcome on his return to the club he served with distinction as a player, but there was no room for sentiment on Moggi's part as his West Brom side picked up an excellent away win thanks to Jonas Olsson's scruffy winner.

Carlton Cole has endured a week to forget after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving but at Craven Cottage new West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola kept faith with the striker and was rewarded with both a bright display and goal.

The in-form Hammer netted two minutes before the break with a close range effort, that owed much to Mark Schwarzer's poor handling, before Matthew Etherington profited from another gaffe by the Australian as he found a smart finish to double West Ham's lead after Fulham's goalkeeper showed kamikaze instincts in haring off his line for a ball he was never going to get. A bad day at the office for Fulham was compounded when a pumped up Andy Johnson, in front of Fabio Capello, saw red after a foul on Lucas Neill earned him a second booking before half-time.

Juande Ramos insists he retains the full faith of the Spurs board but on Sunday at Fratton Park he appeared to lose the supporters' vote as chants of 'You don't know what you're doing' reverberated around Fratton Park.

Portsmouth went into the South Coast clash having conceded ten goals in their last two games but despite starting the day on the lowest of ebbs, Harry Redknapp's side were too strong for an insipid Tottenham, who not only looked disjointed but more worryingly, disinterested.

With Spurs looking barren in attack, Jermain Defoe - sold by Ramos - showed what the Spaniard was missing by confidently scoring from the penalty spot after Jermaine Jenas had handled in the box. He elected to keep the salt pot on the shelf though in not celebrating in front of the supporters that used to call him one of their own.

Gloss was taken off what was a polished performance when the otherwise excellent Lassana Diarra was sent-off, after picking up a needless booking in the game's dying embers, but not before Peter Crouch had made it two after profiting from some suspect Heurelho Gomes goalkeeping.

The weekend's action concluded at The JJB as Wigan stole bragging rights from a high-octane North West derby against Manchester City. Pre-match and it was City's band of Brazilians that took centre-stage but thereafter and it was all about Wigan's infectious enthusiasm, which started up front with the pugnacious spirit demonstrated by new cult hero Amr Zaki.

While Robinho was bullied by Wigan's tenacious tackles, Jo often outfought and Elano peripheral, Zaki and Emile Heskey gave the normally robust Richard Dunne and Micah Richards an afternoon they will not want to relive any time soon.

A stunning swerving effort from the right foot of Antonio Valencia gave Wigan a lead that proved short lived, as Vincent Kompany restored parity from close range on the 22nd minute mark.

By half-time Wigan had an advantage they would not relinquish so easily, as Wilson Palacios showed Bafta credentials with a tumble in City's box, which allowed Zaki to cap off a Roy of the Rovers display with his fifth Premier League goal of the season.