Liverpool edge United, Arsenal win derby

Daniel Sturridge scored the winner as Liverpool FC inflicted a first defeat on reigning Premier League champions Manchester United FC, while Arsenal FC ruled the north London derby against big-spending Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Liverpool had not beaten United in the league since March 2011, but the Reds got off to a dream start thanks to Sturridge's third goal in as many games. With the match just four minutes old, the in-form striker, celebrating his 24th birthday, escaped the attentions of Patrice Evra at a corner to stoop and redirect Daniel Agger's header into the net.

The hosts eventually secured a third straight clean sheet, surviving a late United rally to post their third 1-0 win this term. That scoreline was then matched in the capital as hosts Arsenal struck on 23 minutes after a breathless start, Olivier Giroud beating marker Michael Dawson to Theo Walcott's near-post delivery and providing a sublime first-touch finish.

The goalkeepers were the stars thereafter. Hugo Lloris produced a string of saves to keep the Gunners at bay, and both he and his Arsenal counterpart Wojciech Szczęsny were called on to keep out heavily deflected efforts in the second half. The hosts endured a manic finish to earn the bragging rights, while Spurs were left ruing defeat and a potentially serious injury to new signing Étienne Capoue.

Elsewhere, Ben Davies and Pablo Hernández ensured Swansea City AFC came away from West Bromwich Albion FC as 2-0 victors.