Chelsea maintained their iron grip on top spot in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and Sergio Aguero fired a four-goal warning that Manchester City will not relinquish their title without a fight.
Goals from Oscar and Cesc Fabregas made it seven wins from eight games for Chelsea, who overcame the sending-off of Cesar Azpilicueta before halftime to stay five points clear.
Pride of place, however, went to Southampton who thrashed Sunderland 8-0 to stay in third place.
West Ham United moved into the top four after a 3-1 victory at struggling Burnley.
Arsenal's mediocre start to the season continued as they were held to their fifth draw in eight matches, Danny Welbeck scoring late to salvage a 2-2 home draw with Hull City.
Everton returned to form with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
Newcastle United's home game against Leicester City was a delayed kickoff after a pre-match safety issue with a new video screen inside St James' Park.
Meanwhile, Southampton recorded one of the biggest victories in Premier League history when they crushed a woeful Sunderland side 8-0 at St Mary's.
The thumping win fell one goal short of Manchester United's record 9-0 triumph over Ipswich in 1995 and maintained the south coast club's remarkable start to the season under manager Ronald Koeman.
Top scorer Graziano Pelle was among seven names on the scoresheet, netting twice to take his tally for the season to six.
Southampton continue to confound predictions they would struggle after they sold several first-team players in the close season. They remain third in the table on 16 points, six behind leaders Chelsea.
The result will undoubtedly heap pressure on Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, whose team capitulated in abject fashion and are now fourth from bottom in the table.
