Nearly all the home sides won in the Saturday Premiership games including, unfortunately, Blackburn Rovers.

Rovers won 2-1 on goals, 26 to 14 on fouls but drew 2-2 on cards. The result saw Fulham in 14th place in the Premiership prior to the three games still to take place this weekend.

Blackburn midfielder Tugay scored an early goal-of-the-season contender with the winner against Fulham.

The Turkey playmaker smashed home from the edge of the area, meeting Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner with a first-time shot on the volley.

Pedersen scored a spectacular opener when Finland striker Shefki Kuqi crossed from the right for his team-mate to finish on the volley at the far post after 15 minutes. Brian McBride levelled matters with a smart finish - but Tugay's goal ensured a 2-1 win.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's fine start to the season continued at Old Trafford when he scored the only goal of the game for Manchester United against Aston Villa.

The 29-year-old Holland striker stabbed home after 66 minutes when the visitors failed to clear a Cristiano Ronaldo cross, maintaining United's 100% start to their Barclays Premiership campaign.

Tottenham maintained their winning start to the season after Jermain Defoe's superb strike against Middlesbrough in a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane.

The England striker lashed home from 25 yards after running at the Boro defence at pace, leaving Mark Schwarzer rooted to the spot.

Schwarzer then allowed Mido's tame 75th-minute strike under his body, ensuring a winning start for Edgar Davids on his Spurs debut.

Charlton made it consecutive wins against promoted opposition - with a 1-0 victory against Wigan at The Valley.

Darren Bent - who scored twice against Sunderland last week - opened the scoring three minutes before the break, heading in at the far post after fine work from Danny Murphy.

Chris Powell had hit the crossbar midway through the half, looping a header onto the woodwork after a scramble in the penalty area.

Geoff Horsfield scored a brace against Portsmouth at The Hawthorns to maintain West Brom's unbeaten start to the season.

Horsfield, the hero of his side's dramatic final-day survival last season, also against Pompey, headed in Jonathan Greening's cross after two minutes.

The 31-year-old doubled the lead when he checked inside from the right and Sander Westerveld allowed the ball to slip over the line. Laurent Robert pulled one back but it remained 2-1.

West Ham had Paul Konchesky sent off but successfully contained Newcastle in a goalless encounter at St James' Park.

The Hammers, in fact, had promising attacks of their own before Konchesky was dismissed for a professional foul on Jermaine Jenas.

Konchesky, who has been capped by England, appeared to win the ball but was referee Dermot Gallagher issued a red card.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso scored a spectacular winner in a 1-0 victory against Sunderland at Anfield.

Djibril Cisse had already gone close for the hosts, his finish from close range inches wide, before the Spanish midfielder struck in the 24th minute.

He bent a 30-yard set-piece around the wall and in, despite a touch from Black Cats goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.

The visitors had Andy Welsh sent off in bizarre circumstances following a foul by Julio Arca on Luis Garcia, with Welsh making slight contact with the Liverpool player after a free-kick was awarded.

In the early evening kick-off, Joey Barton made the headlines for the right reasons as Manchester City extended their unbeaten Premiership run to 10 matches with a 2-1 victory at Birmingham.

The midfielder is facing the axe if there is any repeat of his much-publicised behaviour during the summer tour of Thailand.

But Barton is making a determined effort to mend his ways and he was a key figure against Birmingham, scoring the equaliser after Nicky Butt had scored for the hosts and then dominating in the centre of the park before Andy Cole's second-half winner.