Chelsea keep City and United at arm's length

Chelsea FC stretched their unbeaten run in the league to eight matches as two goals from Juan Mata helped them to a 4-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur FC at White Hart Lane.

Spurs manager André Villas-Boas was facing his former club, and it was a player he signed for Chelsea that struck the first blow, Gary Cahill volleying the visitors ahead after 17 minutes. William Gallas's maiden Spurs goal and a trademark Jermain Defoe effort handed Tottenham an early second-half lead, but Mata scored twice in three minutes midway through the half to restore the Blues' advantage. Daniel Sturridge completed the scoring in added time.

Four points behind the Blues are last season's top two. Manchester City FC are third after recovering from James Milner's dismissal and Shane Long's opener to beat West Bromwich Albion FC 2-1 thanks to two late goals from substitute Edin Džeko.

Second-placed United also fell behind, to a Wayne Rooney own goal, but the England striker scored twice at the right end to help Sir Alex Ferguson's side to a 4-2 victory against Stoke City FC.

Arsenal FC, meanwhile, lost for just the second time in all competitions this season, Grant Holt's first-half goal earning Norwich City FC their first league win of the campaign.

Elsewhere, Liverpool FC won a league game at Anfield for the first time this season – 1-0 against Reading FC – Fulham FC defeated Aston Villa FC by the same scoreline, and West Ham United FC triumphed 4-1 against Southampton FC.