At Turf Moor, Burnley took a surprise lead against Arsene’s babes after just five minutes, Chris Eagles did brilliantly to whip in a right wing cross, Lukasz Fabianski made a hash of trying to collect the ball and Kevin McDonald was in the right place to slot home. After the break Kevin McDonald went on to score the crucial second, bustling past Mark Randall in the area to win possession before putting the ball past Fabianski with the outside of his right foot.

20 minutes in at Stamford Bridge and Frank Lampard forced a save from Almunia with a header. On the half hour the Arsenal goalie was at fault for Chelsea’s opener, Almunia carelessly threw out the ball to lose the Gunners possession and Bosingwa’s teasing cross was turned into his own net from Johan Djourou. After soaking up a lot of pressure at the start of the second half, Arsenal sucker-punched the Blues with a powerful right-footed strike from Robin van Persie (offside), which left Cech grabbing think air. The Gunners then stunned the Bridge with a second moments later, Adebayor won a header from a free-kick, and van Persie picked up the ball and hit a low shot on the turn.

After a goalless first half it looked as if Arsenal were going to fail to score once again, until the Gunners stole the three points with three minutes left as new captain Cesc Fabregas released sub-Nicklas Bendtner who ran through and fired home into the near post. Kiev had Aliyev sent off at the death.

Benjani couldn’t quite connect with a cross midway through the half at Eastlands. The best chance of the half for Arsenal came to Song after Hart had parried Nasri’s free-kick and Bendtner had back-heeled to the Cameroonian. In injury-time of the first-half, Stephen Ireland profited from an awful mix-up between Clichy and Silvestre and fired City ahead. Ten minutes into the second period, Robinho lifted the ball over Almunia for City’s second after great work by SWP. Robinho could have scored a third when he rounded Almunia but Djorou blocked on the line. Robin van Persie had a goal disallowed for kicking the ball out of Hart’s hands and Daniel Sturridge did get the third from the penalty spot late on.

After seeing Ashley Young’s first half penalty saved by Almunia, Aston Villa nevertheless took the lead at the Emirates when Young’s delicious cross into Agbonlahor was headed into his own net by Gael Clichy. And Martin O’Neill sealed the shock victory when Gabi Agbonlahor outpaced William Gallas and fired home a low shot for number two.

Arsene’s babes were up to their usual tricks in the Carling Cup, moving ahead in splendid fashion against Wigan when Jack Wilshere threaded a perfect through-ball to young Jay Simpson, who steered home his first goal for the Gunners just before halftime. After the break the kids put together a goal of breathtaking pace, Carlos Vela left Boyce in his wake bursting down the left before setting up Simpson for his second. And the third was magical, Johan Djourou broke out of defence to play an incisive pass through to Carlos Vela, and the Mexican pulled at a top draw chip to seal the match. Arsenal’s stand-in keeper Lukasz Fabianski also impressed, producing a wonderful double-save to keep a clean sheet.

Wayne Rooney missed a great chance in the opening stages as Manchester United appeared to have the upper hand at the Emirates, but the Gunners picked up their game after 20 minutes with Samir Nasri hitting a half-volley that deflected off Gary Neville, giving van der Sar no chance. Immediately after the restart the Gunners doubled their lead when Samir Nasri produced another fine finish after Fabregas had played him in. Brazilian right back Rafael pulled one back for United in the final minute with a great left-footed volley, but United couldn’t find an equaliser in six minutes of injury-time.

Robin van Persie missed a hat-trick of first half chance, the third opportunity forcing a fine save from Demirel (who was in inspired form all night). The Gunners continued to have the upper hand in the second half but they couldn’t find the breakthrough despite dominating the possession.

Stoke shocked Arsenal with a goal in the eleventh minute, Ricardo Fuller heading home a Rory Delap throw-in (the same players who combined for their winner v Sunderland). (First half highlights here.) The second also came from a Delap throw, as Seyi Olofinjana bundled home from close range. Minutes later Robin van Persie was sent off but the Gunners did pull a goal back through a rare Gael Clichy shot that took a couple of deflections on route to goal.

In the London derby, Tottenham stunned the Emirates into silence with a wonder strike from David Bentley after 13 minutes. Modric won the ball in midfield, Jenas chested the ball down to David Bentley, who flicked the ball up and volleyed it from fully 35-yards. But Spurs couldn’t hold onto their lead, and Arsenal drew level when Mikael Silvestre got ahead of Jenas from a corner to head home the leveller. Spurs were then undone by another set piece immediately after the restart, William Gallas heading home Fabregas’ free-kick. Arsenal then scored a quality third, Nasri was played through the middle and he chipped the onrushing Gomes, with Adebayor applying the finishing touch over the line. Back came Spurs, Huddlestone’s drive was spilled by Almunia and Darren Bent scored from the rebound. But the Gunners quickly reasserted their authority on the game, Hutton sloppily gave the ball to Adebayor, he picked out van Persie and the Dutchman drove home number four. But the scoring still wasn’t over, Clichy’s slip presented the ball to Jenas and the Spurs captain drove forward before curling a left-foot beauty past Almunia. And just when the game couldn’t get more crazy, in the 93rd minute Modric smacked a shot against the post and Aaron Lennon was in the right place to score the equaliser. This was one of the truly great Premier League matches.