Arsenals impressive start to the season continued this weekend, but Portsmouth made it difficult for the Gunners at The Emirates. Two goals from Torres and a superb effort from Obafemi Martins saw Arsenal take the spoils, and despite pulling the scoreline back to 3-2 Arsenal hung on to consolidate themselves in the title race.

Manchester United left Upton Park frustrated as they failed to perform for the second week in a row. Fans were expecting a backlash from the Red Devils after falling to defeat at home to Arsenal last outing but found themselves disappointed with their sides inability to shake off The Hammers. The result could have been worse for under pressure manager Iain Kochanowski, had Wayne Rooney not rifled in a superb effort to grab a draw for United on 84 minutes.

In another high scoring Premier League encounter Spurs reaffirmed their credentials as potential title challengers by beating a fired up Everton side. Dimitar Berbatov was once again in superbative form as he grabbed a brace, while Jermain Defoe and Giovanni Van Bronkhorst bid farewell to the Spurs faithful with a goal each. Everton looked much improved though, and can take positives from this performance going forward.

Newcatle fans were left furious as their team got utterly trounced by Champions Chelsea at St James Park. The Magpies are in desperate trouble at the wrong end of the Premiership table and this result will do little to lift the gloom which hangs over the club. Chelsea barely had to break sweat to see off the toon and, following Manchester Uniteds disappointing results against West Ham, will fancy their chances at repeating their title winning season last term.

Watford continued the trend of the promoted teams excelling in The Championship disposing of fancied Boro at Vicarige Road. The Hornets scored through Chevanton and Gareth Barry and were barely troubled by impotent Middlesbrough. Jamie Walker will be delighted with what was another impressive performance by his team and must surely begin fancying his chances at successive promotions.

The Baggies kept hot on the trail of Blackburn by producing a vintage display against relegation troubled Athletic. Charlton did manage to pull one back after good work from Bobby Convoy led to Sinama-Pongolle sliding in at the back post, but at that stage the game was over.

Norwich fans left wondering what might have been after a tight affair against a surprisingly under-performing Blackburn at Carrow Road. The match never really got going, and only clinical finishing from Blackburn separated the side. The result will give hope to those hoping to gun down Blackburn however, and Rovers will have to improve to hold on to top spot.

The Sky Blues piled the pressure further upon Bluebirds manager JD Jaques after they thoroughly outplayed Cardiff City at The Ricoh Arena. It was another impressive display for Coventry, as Diego Forlan, Dave Kitson and Liam Miller scored in a convincing win. After the match the Cardiff City faithful led a protest against the clubs management and chairman Peter Ridsdale in under pressure to act.

Wolves reaffirmed their promotion credential after a masterclass in striking from Victor Obinha. The loan star has been in incredible form this season and finished the match with 2 goals and an well worked assist. Leeds battled throughout, but in the end were beaten by the craftsmanship of Obinha. The results leaves Wolves widely fancied to claim an automatic promotion slot come week 22.

Eidur Gudjohnsen once again showed his class in League One by grabbing the only goal of a tight affair at Hillsborough. The Icelandic international latched onto a near post cross from the ever willing Paul Parry to put the Eagles in the lead after 24 minutes. Although they worked hard, the Owls never really looked like chasing the game down and find themselves struggling down the league one table.

The Robins stunned Preston at Deepdale and took all three points back down the M6 to the South-West. Two goals from the powerful Leon McKenzie were enough to see of PNE and Bristol City fans can now be optimistic that their team can maintain their excellent early season form and challenge for promotion to the Championship.

Newly promoted Livorno were powerless to resists a sensational Milan performance which leaves the Rossenori two points shy of title rivals Inter and Roma. Livorno were never really in the match and clinical finishing by AC killed the game off before half time, when the Milanese club held a 3-0 lead. A more lacklustre second half saw AC Milan add twice more to their lead and take a convincing win.

Juventus will be disappointed they didnt push Roma further in their Seria A encounter this weekend after they found themselves ahead twice. Instead, Roma will be dlighted that they have negotiated another tricky fixture in their quest to retain their title. Raul grabbed a superb hat-trick, while defenders Helguera and Mexes added one a piece.

The Rosanero were somewhat fortunate to grind out a less than impressive victory against under-achieving Cagliari, and outspoken manager Davies-Evans, this weekend. Cagliaris loanee larusso put his side ahead in the 15^th minute after a knock down from striker partner Baiano. As the second half ticked away though they were hit with two sucker punches, as Palermo turned the tide, which leaves the Islanders three points shy of the play off places.

Title favourites Sampdoria once again showed that they will take a lot of beating this year as Fabrizio Quagliarella grabbed an impressive brace at home to Catania. However, as news broke of Quagliarellas potential departure from the Genova based outfit fans bombarded local radio stations expressing their disgust that their manager would see fit to sell one of their heroes.

Betis survival hopes were dealt a hammer blow at the hands of Villarreal this weekend. Both teams have found themselves struggling at the foot of La Liga and would have been aware of the significance of the fixture. It was Villarreal however, who eased the pressure on themselves as things begin to look perilous for Dale Prices Betis.

Barcelonas city rivals failed to do their larger sibling a favour as Sevilla comfortably overcame Espanyol at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. With Real Madrid suffering a suprise draw against Levante Sevilla will now be hopeful that they can regain their La Liga crown.

Newly promoted Valladolid gave a gutsy performance against the giants of Barcelona, but failed to prevent the Catalan dynasty from taking all three points. Montolivo and Mutu shared the scoring duties in response to young Cortezs opener which had Real Valladolid dreaming of an upset.

Spains capital club cam unstuck at home to Levante, but in truth the result could have been a lot worse for the whites. In their new managers second game Madrid were at times outplayed by La Liga minnows Levante and could be said to be fortunate to escape with a point. The draw continues an impressive start to the campaign for the new boys and few would bet against them beating the drop and consolidating in La Liga.

In one of the most impressive displays in Liga B, Cadiz continued their impressive start to the season, disposing of a poor Real Murcia side with ease. Cadizs talented youngsters showed great enthusiasm and creativity to continuously open up Murcia and finished the match with two well worked goals.

Kazim-Richards produced a sensational display away at Getafe to give new boss Gareth Gardener his most impressive win yet as Celta Vigo manager. The result leaves Vigo three points shy of Zaragoza and looking at those around them it will be hard for others to close the ever increasing gap in quality to the top 2.