Chelsea continued their tradition of hammering Bolton Wanderers every season as they put five past the hapless Trotters at the Reebok. Frank Lampard was the hat-trick hero as he grabbed his 3rd Premier League treble. Daniel Sturridge added a brace as Bolton lost their sixth consecutive Premier League game. Dedryk Boyata got a consolation goal for Bolton at the start of the 2nd half. But the damage was done in the first half hour as Sturridge & Lamaprd got two each in the face of some dreadful Bolton defending, especially from stand-in keeper Adam Bogdan. Lamaprd got his hat-trick around the hour mark as the game finished 5-1.

Andre Vilaas-Boas was afforded a break from making a tough choice with Fernando Torres as the Spaniard started his 3-match ban. Didier Drogba started as the focal point, with Daniel Sturridge playing off him. Juan Mata and Ramires held the wide positions while Frank Lampard found himself back in the starting line up after his goal scoring display in mid-week and he partnered Raul Meireles in central midfield. David Luiz & John Terry formed the central defensive pairing while Jose Bosingwa & Ashley Cole taking up the full-back roles.

The derby-flavoured weekend got off to a flier as the always fractious Merseyside derby at Goodison Park kicked things off. A controversial red card, a missed penalty and two goals were on the platter as Liverpool won 2-0 thanks to 2nd half strikes from Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez. The Manchester clubs were in action next as Manchester United hosted Norwich while Manchester City travelled to struggling Blackburn Rovers. Both teams grabbed three points, but in contrasting fashion as United stumbled to a 2-0 win while City triumphed 4-0. Newcastle United continued their great start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Wolves while Aston Villa maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win. Finally, Sunderland & West Brom played out a 2-2 thriller at the Stadium of Light.

Not much was expected of Norwich City when they travelled to Old Trafford to face champions Manchester United, but the Canaries produced a performance that was worthy of a victory, with only profligous finishing the difference between the two sides as United picked up a 2-0 victory on Saturday. After missing a host of chances, Norwich conceded to United eight minutes after the hour mark as Anderson got on the scoresheet. United then doubled their tally with three minutes left to play, as Danny Welbeck came off the bench to secure the Red Devils' 19th consecutive home victory. The victory, not a fair deflection on the game, kept United on top of the table with 19 points, while Norwich stayed on eight points from their seven games.

Danish custodian Anders Lindegaard received his first league start for United against the Canaries, with the Red Devils' number one David de Gea left on the bench. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans formed the central defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand another player rested, while Patrice Evra and Antionio Valencia flanked the young duo, the latter once again played out of position at right-back. Anderson, who has been impressive this season, started in the center of midfield alongside Darren Fletcher, while Park Ji-Sung got a start ahead of the current league leader in assists Ashley Young. Nani, who played only a bit-part role in midweek, started on the wing, with Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez both returning from injury and forming the hosts' attacking partnership.

Liverpool overcame a stubborn Everton at Goodison park, courtesy a goal each from Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez. The talking point of the game though, was the harsh sending off of Jack Rodwell for a tackle on Luis Suarez. The visitors had the majority of the possession from then on and were always expected to press home their advantage. Here's a look at how the players fared.

One of the most exciting encounters that the Premier League has to offer, the Merseyside Derby, was played out at Goodison Park today and it was Liverpool who came out on top after referee Martin Atkinson's decision to send Jack Rodwell off in the first half turned the tide in their favour. Everton, however, once again displayed their grit and determination as they managed to hold Liverpool till the 71^st minute, before Andy Carroll fired the visitors ahead. Luis Suarez then made it 2-0 after 82 minutes, as Liverpool ensured a victory, albeit not exactly a very convincing one.

David Moyes surprisingly chose to start with Luis Saha in a 4-4-2 formation with Tim Cahill his partner upfront, which was perhaps a sign of a shift from a defensive mentality to a more attacking one. The midfield comprised of Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell at the centre, with Seamus Coleman and Leon Osman on the right and left wings respectively. Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin were the two centre backs for Everton, with Tony Hibbert and Leighton Baines on either side.

This weekend is one full of derbies, as Everton and Liverpool face-off in Merseyside, Arsenal and Tottenham contest the North London derby, and Blackburn and Manchester City line-up against each other in the 'Oil-Chicken' faceoff. Also, Chelsea travel to Bolton, while champions Manchester United host newcomers Norwich City.

Saturday, October 1

Everton vs Liverpool

The first two two huge derbies this weekend, the Merseyside clash should be one to watch. Both sides have in recent times turned the 'Friendly Derby' into a massacre, with red cards and brawls between the two sets of players a regular feature. Everton decided to park their bus in front of goal against Manchester City, but against their rivals at Goodison Park, they are expected to be more adventurous, while Liverpool, who should have Steven Gerrard starting, might be a bit shaky at the back, but will be a threat upfront.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men visited the cauldron that is the Britannia for their sixth league game of the season and were looking to continue their perfect start. However, Tony Pulis' team put their best foot forward to ensure that they shared the spoils at home as they broke United's run of five successive top flight wins with a 1-1 draw. It was an evenly contested affair with both sides getting their shots at glory, but none was able land the fatal blow and pick up all three points. A resurgent Stoke in the second half came back to level proceedings, courtesy of a well placed header by Peter Crouch that cancelled out Nani's scintillating opener. Despite the draw, Manchester United now climb to the top of the table on goal difference while Stoke fall to the 7th position. Here's a look at how the players performed.

The Britannia Stadium was the raucous setting once again as Stoke City welcomed Manchester United to their den. True to form, the Red Devils took the lead in the 27th minute as Nani scored his 3rd goal of the season with a wonderful individual goal. But the real star of the show for United was David de Gea as he  produced a series of fine saves to keep the Potters at bay. But his resistance was finally broken early in the 2nd half as Peter Crouch became the 6th player in Premier League history to score for 6 different clubs. The game as a whole was a grueling, 90-minute slugfest of the purest strain of English football. It was end-to-end stuff throughout as neither side could catch their breath. The 1-1 draw ends United's 100% record while giving Stoke their first point against United.

Tony Pulis setup in his usual 4-4-2 formation with Asmir Begovic guarding the goal. Jonathan Woodgate and Ryan Shawcross formed the centre of defence, with Andy Wilkinson and Marc Wilson filling up the full-back positions. The width of United was matched by the wide players at Pulis' disposal as Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington hugged the touchline. Glen Whelan and Rorey Delap were part of a combative midfield, with Peter Crouch and Jon Walters forming the two-man strike-force.