Relentless Arsenal rejoice

Goals from Thierry Henry, Gilberto and José Antonio Reyes ensured Arsenal FC strode past visitors Blackburn Rovers FC at Highbury to move back to the top of the Premiership and set a new top-flight record of 43 successive matches unbeaten.

Slick display
Arsenal came from behind to defeat Middlesbrough FC 5-3 on Sunday and equal Nottingham Forest FC's 25-year-old 42-match unbeaten run and, despite a goalless first half in north London, a slick second-half display ensured Arsène Wenger's side continued their winning start to the campaign and duly strode into the record books.

McClaren delight
A 54th-minute Mark Viduka goal put Middlesbrough on course for their first win of the season, a 2-0 triumph away against Fulham FC. Szilard Nemeth's 79th-minute follow-up ensured Steve McClaren's side enjoyed their trip to the capital more than they had done on Sunday.

Okocha penalty
There was also away-day joy for Bolton Wanderers FC, who won 2-1 at Southampton FC with an early goal from Henrik Pedersen and Jay-Jay Okocha's 27th-minute penalty. A determined Bolton rearguard ensured Peter Crouch's first goal in Southampton colours eight minutes from time was no more than a consolation.

Jeffers double
Charlton Athletic FC followed up their 2-1 defeat of Portsmouth FC at the weekend with another home win, Francis Jeffers scoring twice against Aston Villa FC and Luke Young adding a third without reply. Meanwhile, Villa's midlands neighbours West Bromwich Albion FC recorded their third successive 1-1 draw, sharing the spoils with undefeated Tottenham Hotspur FC at the Hawthorns.

Norwich comeback
The evening's other game was played at Saint James' Park where Newcastle United FC were held to a 2-2 draw by Norwich City FC. Craig Bellamy and Aaron Hughes had given Sir Bobby Robson's side a two-goal lead but on-loan David Bentley pulled a goal back for the newly-promoted visitors and Gary Doherty levelled matters 16 minutes from time.