EPL review

Alonso and Liverpool conquer Stamford Bridge
Xabi Alonso's first league goal since September 2007 ended Chelsea FC's 86-match unbeaten home record in the Premier League and sent Liverpool FC three points clear of the Londoners and Hull City AFC at the summit.


Record gone
Alonso's 10th-minute drive from the edge of the penalty area took a deflection off José Bosingwa to wrong-foot goalkeeper Petr Čech and condemn Chelsea to their first loss at Stamford Bridge in the top flight since a 2-1 defeat by London rivals Arsenal FC on 21 February 2004. Aside from losing their long unbeaten record at home, Chelsea also suffered their first league reverse of the season, leaving Rafael Benítez's Liverpool as the only team yet to lose in the Premier League this season.

Cole chance
Content with their early lead, Liverpool opted to sit back, allowing Luiz Felipe Scolari's team to exert a period of sustained pressure on the visitors' goal. However, Liverpool opened up more after the restart and Spanish international midfielder Alonso came close to doubling the Merseyside club's lead when his free-kick struck the base of Čech's left-hand post midway through the second half. Chelsea desperately pressed for an equaliser but could find no way through a resolute Liverpool rearguard, Ashley Cole squandering their best chance when he missed his kick in front of goal following Franco Di Santo's header down late on.

Robinho hat-trick
A Julien Faubert own goal (75) and a late Emmanuel Adebayor strike earned Arsenal FC a 2-0 win at West Ham United FC to move the north-London club into fourth, one place above Aston Villa FC following their 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic FC. Gareth Barry's 22nd-minute penalty started the scoring, with Gabriel Agbonlahor (57), John Carew (62) and Steve Sidwell (90) adding further goals in the second half. Elsewhere, Robinho (14, 47, 72) scored a hat-trick as seventh-placed Manchester City FC beat Stoke City FC 3-0.


Redknapp influence
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp steered bottom of the table Tottenham Hotspur FC to their first league win of the season less than 24 hours after succeeding Juande Ramos. Goals in either half from Roman Pavlyuchenko (17) and a Darren Bent penalty (76) accounted for Bolton Wanderers FC. Elsewhere, managerless Portsmouth FC drew 1-1 at home with Fulham FC.