Liverpool late show keeps Chelsea in check

Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC continue to set the pace in the Premier League, but while the Blues registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Aston Villa FC, their rivals had to fight back from two goals down to clinch a dramatic 3-2 triumph at Manchester City FC.

Torres menace
Dirk Kuyt's last-minute winner sealed a memorable victory for Liverpool, who looked set to lose their unbeaten record after City's Stephen Ireland rifled in a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross on 19 minutes and Javier Garrido doubled the damage with a 41st-minute free-kick. The Reds turned the game on its head after the restart, however, beginning with a fourth goal of the campaign for Fernando Torres, who finished off a fine move involving Steven Gerrard and Álvaro Arbeloa. City were then hit by a straight red card for Pablo Zabaleta in the 67th minute and Rafael Benítez's charges levelled just six minutes later when Torres headed in a Gerrard corner. The Spaniard nearly grabbed his hat-trick at the death, but after his effort was blocked Kuyt prodded in to spark wild celebrations.

Friedel busy
That allowed the Merseysiders to remain alongside Chelsea, who top the pile on goal difference after seeing off Villa at Stamford Bridge. Joe Cole struck first upon his return to the side after being set up by England colleague Frank Lampard with 21 minutes gone, and with Luiz Felipe Scolari's men in hungry mood, it proved to be a busy day for Brad Friedel. The visitors' goalkeeper was in the thick of the action 23 minutes later, saving a Michael Ballack effort then denying Nicolas Anelka, only to be beaten by the Frenchman at the second attempt.

Hull heroics
The leading duo now enjoy a three-point advantage at the summit, with promoted side Hull City AFC up to third following yet another win in north London. A week after stunning Arsenal FC, Phil Brown's men returned to defeat Tottenham Hotspur FC 1-0, Geovanni's sublime free-kick increasing the pressure on the still winless basement outfit. There was no relief for struggling Stoke City FC either as they succumbed 2-1 at Portsmouth FC, but Bolton Wanderers FC climbed away from trouble courtesy of a 3-1 success at West Ham United FC. The day's last game featured another comeback as Newcastle United FC recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Everton FC who picked up their first home point of the season.