Chelsea fight back at Stoke as Gunners trail City

Chelsea were looking to continue their perfect start to the Barclays Premier League season but only a stoppage-time goal prevented them from being behind at half-time against Stoke.

A rare Petr Cech mistake allowed the hosts to take the lead when Abdoulaye Faye's header looped over the Chelsea goalkeeper who was stranded in no-man's land.

But Chelsea's pressure eventually told and Didier Drogba fired across the goalkeeper into the top corner to ensure the visitors were level at the break.

Having lost on their last trip to the north west a fortnight ago to bitter rivals Manchester United, Arsenal were looking for a better result at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's men dominated the early stages and Manchester City were fortunate to still be on level terms in the 15th minute when William Gallas put a free header over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

However, City took the lead five minutes later when Manuel Almunia pushed Micah Richards' header against the post but as it bounced back, it hit the goalkeeper's head and went into the net.

Burnley had lost on their last six visits to Anfield without scoring a goal but they started brightly with Martin Paterson firing wide from the edge of the box.

However, Liverpool were always in control and they took the lead in the 27th minute when Yossi Benayoun ran onto Glen Johnson's pass before sidefooting it past Brian Jensen

It was all Liverpool after that and only a double save from Jensen prevented the hosts from doubling their lead.

But they did get their second shortly before half-time when Jensen could only parry Benayoun's shot and it fell to Dirk Kuyt, who slotted home.

Blackburn were looking for their first home win of the campaign but almost got off to the worst possible start when Wolves defender Christophe Berra missed a glorious chance, screwing his shot high and wide.

The hosts had two good penalty shouts turned down but their pressure eventually told when El-Hadji Diouf took advantage of a defensive blunder by Michael Mancienne and raced 30 yards before slotting the opener through the legs of Wayne Hennessey.

Portsmouth will feel somewhat unfortunate to be trailing Bolton 2-1 at the break.

They fell behind in the 13th minute when Tamir Cohen lashed in an unstoppable thunderbolt past David James but levelled matters when Younes Kaboul rose high in the box to head home Jamie O'Hara's corner

But Bolton went in at half-time ahead when they were granted a controversial penalty which Matt Taylor tucked away.

There was no debate to Sunderland's spot-kick against Hull when Craig Fagan blatantly handled Kieran Richardson's corner and Darren Bent stepped up to give the hosts the lead.

However Hull equalised on the stroke of half-time when Kamil Zayatte's header went in off the post.

Elsewhere. West Ham had the edge over Wigan but it was goalless at half-time at the DW Stadium.