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Chelsea, Arsenal beaten for first time this season

Chelsea`s perfect start to its title defense ended with a loss at Manchester City.

London: Chelsea`s perfect start to its title defense ended with a loss at Manchester City, Arsenal was beaten by West Bromwich Albion, and Liverpool salvaged a draw with Sunderland after taking the lead with a contentious goal.
Carlos Tevez`s solo strike clinched City`s 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, which had won five successive matches before faltering in its first big test of the Premier League season. Arsenal`s own unbeaten streak was ended by Peter Odemwingie and Gonzalo Jara scoring within two minutes of each other as West Brom won 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool, which drew 2-2 with Sunderland, went ahead through Dirk Kuyt after Fernando Torres pounced on a loose ball, which Sunderland`s Michael Turner had appeared to be rolling back for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to take a free kick. West Ham recorded its first win of the season by defeating Tottenham 1-0 and was replaced at the bottom of the standings by Everton, which drew 0-0 at Fulham and remains winless. Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton scored in the third minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory over Blackpool, while Birmingham was held to a 0-0 draw by Wigan. The first game of the day was largely devoid of goalmouth action, but was settled by Tevez`s moment of individual brilliance in the 59th minute. The Argentina striker charged forward after collecting Yaya Toure`s short pass on the halfway line, jinked right and then dispatched the ball through defender Ashley Cole`s legs and in off the far post. "Carlos is a fantastic striker - not only because he scored but because he fights all the time against tall players," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "At this moment we don`t have all our players, so for him to be on his own is not easy for him." Despite City being only four points behind Chelsea, Mancini has written off his expensively assembled squad`s chances of stopping the London club winning a second successive title. "They will win it easily because I think they are the best team in the Premier League," Mancini said. "Sometimes you might get a result like today, but they are the better team." Bureau Report