Manchester United kept pace with still perfect Chelsea with a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool while Arsenal stumbled.
Dimitar Berbatov's first Manchester United hat-trick helped the Red Devils claim a pulsating 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford in which Sir Alex Ferguson's side yet again threw away a two-goal advantage.
The Bulgarian striker had struck either side of the interval, the second a brilliant overhead kick, to seemingly ensure a home win over their greatest rivals.
But, just as they did at Goodison Park last week, United's defence capitulated, Steven Gerrard scoring with a penalty and a free-kick before Berbatov came to the hosts' rescue six minutes from time with a clinical header.
The game was low on incident until Berbatov broke the deadlock by nodding home Ryan Giggs' corner at the near-post just four minutes before the break.
Berbatov then produced a moment of magic for his second goal when he brilliantly controlled Nani's cross on his knee, before launching on overhead kick that left Pepe Reina rooted to the spot as it struck the underside of his bar and bounced in.
It took Liverpool less than five minutes to respond as Jonny Evans sent Fernando Torres tumbling as the Spaniard turned inside the box.
The Northern Irishman complained but the decision seemed obvious and Gerrard duly sent Edwin van der Sar the wrong way to give Liverpool hope.
John O'Shea could count himself mightily relieved Webb did not reach for the red card once he decided the Irishman had dragged Torres to the ground just outside the box.
Gerrard then strode up and found the gap Fletcher had created with a precise finish to a free-kick that ended up in the bottom corner before he racing towards the ecstatic visiting fans.
But Berbatov was not to be denied as he rose to steer O'Shea's cross into the corner with just six minutes left on the clock and the hosts this time managed to hold on for victory.
Later in the day Chelsea moved four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League as they maintained their perfect start to the season with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Blackpool at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea destroyed Ian Holloway's side with four first-half goals - two from Florent Malouda and others from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba.
Blackpool improved in the second half and Branislav Ivanovic had to clear off the line from DJ Campbell while substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher brought a fine save from Petr Cech.
The Blues have now won their opening five games of the Premier League season and are four points ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United.
Meanwhile in Sunday's other game, Yaya Toure struck his first goal for Manchester City as two defensive errors helped Roberto Mancini's side claim a 2-0 victory over Wigan at the DW Stadium.
Carlos Tevez pounced on a back-header by Mohamed Diame to fire City in front in the 43rd minute then he set up Toure's second after Maynor Figueroa made a hash of a clearance.
The Latics offered little in response with Franco Di Santo bringing the only save of note out of City keeper Joe Hart in a game of few clear-cut chances.
Darren Bent scored a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser as Sunderland claimed a deserved 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Arsenal.
The Gunners had fortuitously led after 13 minutes when Cesc Fabregas charged down Anton Ferdinand's clearance 35 yards from goal and the ball ricocheted over a stranded Simon Mignolet and into the net.
Arsenal had Alex Song sent off for a second bookable offence after 55 minutes but the visitors should have been out of sight when Tomas Rosicky, who earlier replaced an injured Fabregas, smashed a penalty over.
They still looked on course to go top of the Premier League - with Chelsea not in action until Sunday - until Bent to stabbed home the latest of equalisers from close range.
Earlier, Tottenham scored three times in the final 15 minutes as they battled back from a goal down to claim their first home win of the season with a 3-1 victory against Wolves.
Wolves striker Steven Fletcher shocked the hosts just before half-time when he turned in the game's opening goal and Spurs looked set for another disappointing afternoon at White Hart Lane as the match entered the final 15 minutes.
But the turnaround began when Alan Hutton's run into the area was halted by Stephen Ward's mistimed diving challenge, with deadline-day signing Rafael van der Vaart coolly converting the penalty.
Substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko fired Spurs ahead in the 86th minute when a Tom Huddlestone shot was deflected into his path before Hutton netted in injury time to seal victory.
West Brom also came from a goal down to beat derby rivals Birmingham 3-1.
The Blues had taken the lead after 15 minute when Cameron Jerome was left with a simple close-range finish after a well-worked free-kick was headed across goal by Scott Dann.
However, Dann put the ball into his own net - under pressure from Peter Odemwingie - shortly after the break before the Nigerian forward forged the Baggies ahead on 59 minutes.
Jonas Olsson then sealed the win in the 69th minute when he headed in Chris Brunt's corner.
New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier watched on from the stands as his side were held to a 1-1 home draw with Bolton.
Ashley Young fired Villa ahead after 13 minutes with an expertly-taken free-kick from 25 yards, but Kevin Davies was given far too much time to level from close range after 35 minutes.
Blackburn were thankful to Christopher Samba's controversial 30th-minute opener as they drew 1-1 with Fulham at Ewood Park.
Samba headed home after El-Hadji Diouf appeared to block Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, but the visitors got an equaliser after Clint Dempsey headed in from debutant Carlos Salcido's cross.
Everton remain winless after new Newcastle signing Hatem Ben Arfa scored the only goal of the game at Goodison Park with a sweetly-hit 25-yard strike just before half-time.
In the lunchtime kick-off, West Ham claimed their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Stoke.
The Hammers, whose manager Avram Grant was observing Yom Kippur and not present at the game, went ahead through Scott Parker before Kenwyne Jones headed his second goal in as many games three minutes after half-time
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