Manchester City passed the first big test of their "big four" credentials with flying colours as, with a another goal by Emmanuel Adebayor, they beat Arsenal 4-2 to make it four wins out of four.
Chelsea also maintained their record with their fifth win but needed a last-minute Florent Malouda goal for a 2-1 victory at Stoke City.
Yossi Benayoun scored a hat-trick as Liverpool ended their sticky run by thrashing Burnley 4-0 at Anfield.
Champions Manchester United visit Tottenham Hotspur, who have won their opening four games, later on Saturday. They are chasing Chelsea who have moved on to 15 points, three ahead of Tottenham and Manchester City.
Big-spending City had beaten Blackburn Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouth but knew things would not be so easy when Arsenal came calling.
Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers, without a point between them at the start of play, produced a thriller at Fratton Park with Bolton snatching the points in the last few minutes when Gary Cahill gave them a 3-2 victory.
In other games Blackburn Rovers beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1, Sunderland thumped Hull City 4-1 while Wigan Athletic edged West Ham United 1-0.
