United top the table with three straight wins after beating Watford 2-1 but Arsenal were left floundering fourth from bottom after losing 1-0 at Manchester City.

Liverpool got back to winning ways on a special occasion at Anfield, defeating West Ham 2-1 on the centenary of their legendary Kop stand.

United now have a potential psychological edge over champions Chelsea, who travel to Blackburn on Sunday keen to put their shock defeat at Middlesbrough on Wednesday behind them.

Jose Mourinho's side will be determined not to find themselves trailing in United's wake so early into their attempt to win a third straight title.

Elsewhere Saturday, 10-man visitors Everton beat Tottenham 2-1, Charlton got their first win of the season at home to Bolton and Fulham did likewise with a win over Sheffield United.

Manchester United taught newly-promoted Watford a lesson in winning Premiership points.

England midfielder Michael Carrick made his first competitive start for United following his pre-season switch from Tottenham.

France defender Mikael Silvestre scored United's opener in the 12th minute at Vicarage Road and Hornets midfielder Damien Francis equalised with a 34th-minute tap-in.

But United veteran Ryan Giggs's 52nd-minute goal maintained their 100 percent record.

"They make it really difficult," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"We came to a difficult place, showed our mettle and got our reward from it."

Arsenal had the chance to kick-start their season at Eastlands but were beaten thanks to a 41st-minute Joey Barton penalty.

The Gunners were unconvincing in their first Premiership match, salvaging a draw at home to Aston Villa last weekend.

An upset Arsenal captain Thierry Henry vented his frustration after Saturday's setback.

"We should have won that game easy," he told Sky Sports television.

"We are the first ones to blame. The lads were pretty down in the dressing room but if we keep on playing like that I don't think we're going to lose a lot of games."

At Anfield, Liverpool celebrated the Kop's centenary by scoring both their goals at that end.

Bobby Zamora put the visitors in front in the 12th minute but Denmark defender Daniel Agger lashed in a curling equaliser in the 42nd minute and England striker Peter Crouch scored the winner three minutes later.

Netherlands striker Dirk Kuyt impressed on his Liverpool debut.

"It was wonderful to make my debut at Anfield. It feels great but the win is the most important thing," the substitute said.

"We have a wonderful squad, not 11 good players but 20. We are getting better and better, but we're not at the 100 percent level yet and you have to work hard to beat teams like Chelsea."

Liverpool's cross-city rivals Everton made it seven points from three games when they beat hosts Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

Everton midfielder Kevin Kilbane was sent off in the first half for two bookable offences before Spurs conceded a 53rd-minute Calum Davenport own goal.

Everton's main pre-season signing, Andy Johnson, scored his second goal of the season in the 66th minute to make his week complete after being recalled to the England squad.

"If England are looking for anybody to score goals at the moment, I'd put my money on Andy Johnson," Everton boss David Moyes said.

"Today's performance has probably given me as much pleasure as any of them, coming to Tottenham, who we know have spent big, brought in some tremendous players and are also a really good team."

Forgotten England forward Emile Heskey had only scored once in his previous 27 games, but he scored the only goal of the game on his 500th career appearance as Wigan beat Reading 1-0 at the JJB Stadium.

Heskey, a pre-season recruit from Birmingham, scored with ease in a 38th-minute one-on-one with the visitors' goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Sheffield United's tough start to life in the Premiership continued at Craven Cottage where they were beaten 1-0 by Fulham due to a 40th-minute Jimmy Bullard free kick.

At The Valley, Charlton got their first win of the season, beating visitors Bolton 2-0 thanks to two goals by Darren Bent.