Chelsea recovered from the shock of going a goal down after only 12 seconds to beat Southampton 2-1 while Arsenal's free-scoring form continued with a 4-1 win at newly-promoted Norwich that extended the Gunners' record-breaking unbeaten league run to 44 matches.

The victories increase the early season pressure on Manchester United, who needed an injury-time equaliser to rescue a point at Blackburn and are in danger of losing touch with their title rivals.

James Beattie was responsible for Southampton's early opener at Stamford Bridge, the first goal Chelsea have conceded since Jose Mourinho took over in the summer.

A catastrophically misjudged pass-back by Joe Cole allowed the former England striker to nip in and crash a dipping shot over Petr Cech from 25 yards.

Beattie inadvertently cancelled out his own efforts when he deflected Eidur Gudjohnsen's clever back-heel into his own net in the 34th minute and Frank Lampard kept Chelsea's winning run going with a penalty just before the break after Claus Lundekvam handled in the area.

Arsenal looked unstoppable as they built up a 3-0 first half lead against Norwich with goals from Jose Antonio Reyes, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires. But Norwich came away with their dignity intact thanks to a spirited second half display, in which Darren Huckerby pulled a goal back from the penalty spot.

Manchester United needed a helping hand to secure a point against bogey team Blackburn in their lunchtime encounter at Ewood Park.

Alan Smith lashed in a close-range shot in the fourth minute of injury time to cancel out Paul Dickov's 17th-minute goal for Blackburn.

But the former Leeds striker only got his chance after his strike partner Louis Saha used his hand to direct the ball into his path.

After watching a television replay of the incident, United boss Alex Ferguson admitted referee Alan Wiley should have disallowed the goal.

"That's another wrong decision by the referee today," Ferguson said, before insisting his side had deserved at least a point after being frustrated by a heroic performance from Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

"I think Graeme Souness will be quite happy he got a point because we could have won by six or seven."

Newcastle's early season woes continued with a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa.

Dropped skipper Alan Shearer had to watch from the bench as Patrick Kluivert scored a classy 28th-minute equaliser after Villa had taken an early lead with a powerful Olof Mellberg header.

Defender Andy O'Brien then put Newcastle ahead nine minutes before the break but Villa were to run out comfortable winners with second half goals from Carlton Cole, Gareth Barry and Juan Pablo Angel.

Nicolas Anelka eased the early season pressure on Kevin Keegan with a classy double as Manchester City cruised to a 4-0 win over Charlton.

Trevor Sinclair and England midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips also hit the net as City turned on the style to claim their first victory of the campaign.

Crystal Palace remained rooted to the bottom of the table after a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Andy Johnson had put the Premiership newcomers on track for an upset win when he smashed in a penalty that he had earned courtesy of Chris Riggott's clumsy challenge.

But Johnson's efforts were undone by Australian defender Tony Popovic's own goal just after the hour mark and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink secured all three points with a beautifully struck free-kick 12 minutes from the end.

Jermain Defoe boosted his England prospects in front of the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson with a spectacular first-half winner against Birmingham.

The young striker beat three defenders before unleashing a low shot from the edge of the area to extend Spurs's unbeaten start to the season under new manager Jacques Santini.

Everton fans depressed by the imminent departure of Wayne Rooney were given something to cheer about by Leon Osman, who scored twice in a 2-1 win over West Brom. Scott Dobie scored for the Baggies.