Newcastle United 2 Everton 1
Ryan Taylor blasted Newcastle United into second place in the Premier League as the Magpies extended their unbeaten start to 11 games.
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Taylor's stunning 29th-minute volley ultimately edged the tightest of contests against Everton in front of a season's best crowd of 50,671 to take Alan Pardew's side, for a few hours at least, ahead of Manchester United.
The victory ensured they matched their best unbeaten openings to a campaign in 1950/51 and 1994/95.
However, it came at a cost as Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux joined Cheik Tiote on the injured list with daunting trips to both Manchester clubs to come after the international break.
Everton left St James' Park knowing they probably deserved to be doing so with something to show for their efforts having given as good as they got, particularly in a nerve-jangling second half for the Toon Army.
However, they were never able to claw back the advantage they had handed their hosts through John Heitinga's 12th-minute own goal and Taylor's rocket despite giving themselves hope with Jack Rodwell's header in first-half injury-time.
Manchester United 1 Sunderland 0
Wes Brown, the former Manchester United defender, gifted Sir Alex Ferguson a 25th anniversary present with an own goal as Sunderland were beaten 1-0 in the Barclays Premier League at Old Trafford.
Ferguson walked onto the pitch through a guard of honour made up of players from both clubs and former Red Devils captain Steve Bruce, now manager of Sunderland, before chief executive David Gill revealed the north stand was being renamed in honour of their long-serving manager.
United struggled to establish themselves in the first half but took the lead in stoppage time as Brown deflected a corner into his own net under pressure from Danny Welbeck.
Arsenal 3 West Bromwich Albion 0
Arsenal's rejuvenation continued when in-form captain Robin van Persie led the Gunners to a fourth-straight league win as West Brom were brushed aside 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Holland striker – who smashed a hat-trick to help beat Chelsea last weekend – put Arsene Wenger's men ahead from close range after Theo Walcott's shot was saved by Ben Foster.
Thomas Vermaelen made it 2-0 five minutes before half time, lashing in Van Persie's cutback, and Mikel Arteta wrapped things up after more good work from the Arsenal captain on 74 minutes.
Aston Villa 3 Norwich City 2
Darren Bent struck twice as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Norwich 3-2 at Villa Park.
Anthony Pilkington had put the visitors ahead on 25 minutes with a fine 20-yard free-kick.
However, the lead did not last long as Agbonlahor's penetrating run and cross allowed Darren Bent to bundle home from close range on the half-hour
Villa turned the match around at the start of the second half after Agbonlahor (48) latched onto a poor backpass from Leon Barnett to beat goalkeeper John Ruddy.
The England forward then turned provider for Bent to net again just after the hour.
Steve Morison's header set up an anxious final 13 minutes for the hosts, but Villa closed out for all three points.
Liverpool 0 Swansea City 0
Liverpool were left frustrated as Swansea City battled to a point in a goalless clash at Anfield.
Dirk Kuyt thought he had snatched a late winner, only for assistant referee Sian Massey to make a fine offside call, while Michel Vorm made a fine reaction save from Glen Johnson to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.
Blackburn Rovers 0 Chelsea 1
Petr Cech recovered from a nosebleed to produce a string of fine saves as Chelsea ran out 1-0 winners at Blackburn Rovers.
Cech needed lengthy treatment after colliding with Ashley Cole in the first half, but showed few ill effects to deny Grant Hanley and then Yakubu after Frank Lampard (51) had headed in Branislav Ivanovic's curling cross.
When Cech was beaten by a late header from Hanley, the ball came back off the crossbar.