Manchester mauls North Londoners, Rivals draw and everything else in between in round 3

What Manchester City do, Manchester United do it better as City beat Tottenham 5-1 followed by Manchester United's astounding reply with a 8-2 victory over Arsenal. Round three also saw Chelsea leave it late against new boys Norwich, Aston Villa and Wolves draw nil all in the Birmingham derby and Liverpool beat Bolton 3-1. First we'll head to White Heart Lane, where Manchester City turned in a five star display against a weakened Tottenham Hotspurs.

Spurs had to field the ultra attacking Croatian duo of Niko Kranjcar and Luka Modric in the centre of midfield - which was targeted to perfection by Manchester City. City themselves threw new signing Samir Nasri (formerly of Arsenal) straight into the starting line up which created a fabulous front four. The scoring got underway in the 34th minute when former Arsenal team mates Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri linked up down the left flank, before Nasri played a lovely one-two with, another summer signing, Agüero and delivered an even better cross for Edin Dzeko to finish. Only seven minutes later it looked like Peter Crouch would level the scores down the other end with a super header, however it took Manchester City 18 seconds on the counter attack to make it two nil. The ball was played up field after Crouch's header was denied. Nasri again had the ball and delivered a delightful lofted cross that Dzeko did brilliantly to finish. He jumped in the air with his back mostly to goal, before slightly turning his head to allow him to direct the ball back across the 'keeper. It took just under ten minutes of the second half to pass before Dzeko completed his hat trick. Again City's build up play was superb as Agüero casually waited for Yaya Toure to make a run around the outside of him. Agüero passed the ball to Yaya, who in turn dribbled right to the byline before cutting in a low cross for Dzeko to beat his markers and slot home from close range. Just shy of the hour mark City continued with a forth goal, this time coming from Agüero. He played a neat one-two with Nasri before dribbling past a busy Dawson and curling it around Tottenham 'keeper Brad Friedel from an angle. Seven minutes later Spurs got their consolation goal, after a beautiful corner from Rafael Van Der Vaart found Younis Kaboul who headed home to make it 4-1. But in injury time Dzeko added his fourth and arguably his best effort of the afternoon. Dzeko played a one-two just outside the box with Gareth Barry before slotting home with his weaker left foot, although you couldn't tell with that finish. Here are all the goals.

Not long after at Old Trafford, Manchester United were about to highlight all the weaknesses in Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. The scoring started in the 21st minute when Brazilian Anderson scooped a ball over the top of Arsenal's defence (something they don't like at all) for Danny Welback to get in between a defender and the Arsenal 'keeper to nod home. Six minutes later Rooney burst into the penalty area down the left and put in a low cross that was cleared, straight to Ashley Young. Young was given time to switch it back onto his preferred right foot and shoot from well outside the area. However the finish was absolutely superb and an early contender for goal of the season. Not to be out done Rooney added United's third in the 41st minute with a lovely curling free kick from just outside the penalty box. Arsenal scored their first goal of the season in the dying seconds of injury time of the first half. Thomas Rosicky picked out a flying Theo Walcott with a superb pass. Walcott took on his marker and the 'keeper as he shot from a tight angle on the right and slotted the ball cheekily through young United 'keeper David De Gea's legs to make it 3-1 going into the break.

It took until the 64th minute for the scoring to resume through another Rooney free kick. It was very similar to the first one, but this free kick was from a few yards further out. It was another curling effort at the back post and shows what Rooney can do from set-pieces. Only two minutes later United added their fifth of the afternoon as Rooney highlighted Arsenal's lack of a leader/enforcer in defence. He attracted the interest of both Arsenal's centre backs - whilst their wide defenders stayed back - before passing to a completely unmarked Nani who chipped home. Three minutes later Ji-Sung Park added United's sixth goal, as Arsenal's defence was again at sea. The defenders weren't sure what to do as they sat off both Young - who passed to Park - and Park himself. He took a touch with his right foot to shift the ball onto his left and drove home from just inside the box. Arsenal then scored their second and final goal of the afternoon after Jenkinson - a right back who gets forward but can't tackle - delivered a cross to an unmarked Robin Van Persie to slot home at the back post. But the moment all of you have been waiting for is the return of the Joey Barton award (the award for the biggest dive of the week, named after Mr Barton himself because of his theatrics against Arsenal in round 1). This week it goes to Patrice Evra of Manchester United, as after Theo Walcott's lighting quick feet brew up a breeze that saw poor old Patrice swept of his feet inside the Arsenal penalty area. Congratulations Mr Evra. From the ensuing penalty the newest member of the hair plug brigade - Wayne Rooney - completed his hat trick (all from set-pieces) and took United's tally to seven goals. To close it out in Fergie time, or extra time, Ashley Young provided another thunderbolt in trademark fashion as he received the ball in the far corner of the Arsenal penalty area. Young then switched it to his preferred right foot and drove home to make it 8-2. Here are the ten goals in ten minutes of highlights.

Elsewhere in round three of the EPL, the Birmingham derby ended in a dour nil all draw but leaves both Wolves and Aston Villa undefeated. Wigan took their first win of the season at the expense of Championship winners QPR. Franco Di Santo scored a brace for the Lactics, whilst Adel Taarbat only managed to hit the post twice for QPR. Socceroo Brett Emerton's final appearance before linking up with new club Sydney FC ended disappointingly as Blackburn Rovers missed two penalties. Everton made them pay with an injury time penalty that got them the three points and leave the Rovers without a point so far. Chelsea almost came undone at home to newcomers Norwich, but the game was marred by a collision between Norwich goal keeper John Ruddy and Chelsea star Didier Drogba. The latter was left unconscious and had to be stretchered off. At this stage it was 1 all after Jose Bosingwa scored first for Chelsea and Grant Holt levelled after capitalising on an error by Chelsea 'keeper Hilario. Ruddy was sent off after bringing down Ramires in the 80th minute and Frank Lampard slotted the penalty. Juan Mata scored on debut for Chelsea to round off the scoring at 3-1. Sunderland and Swansea played out a nil all draw in Wales, which leaves both clubs with only two points from three games.

Liverpool continued their late win against Arsenal with a 3-1 victory over Bolton at Anfield. The scoring began when Suarez pulled out to the left and delivered a delightful cross to Dirk Kuyt. He in turn found Jordan Henderson who hit it first time, only to be blocked by Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. Henderson shot a second time, this time with his left foot and it sailed home into the top corner of the net. The second goal came after a lovely corner by Charlie Adam found substitute Martin Skrtel, whom headed home powerfully. Liverpool's final goal came from Adam himself as he stayed composed from distance and shot home with his right foot. Ivan Klasnic scored a late goal after a rare Jamie Carragher mistake allowed him to do so. Newcastle continued their impressive start to the season beating a sluggish Fulham at St. James' Park 2-1. Leon Best emerged from the big shadow of Andy Carroll (who signed with Liverpool in January) to bag a brace. American Clint Dempsey nabbed a late goal to have Newcastle fans on the edge of their seats. In the final game of the round Stoke grabbed their first win of the season away at the Hawthorn's against West Bromwich Albion. Ryan Shotton grabbed a late goal after coming on as a substitute for Jermaine Pennant.

So there you have it folks, an entertaining round three of the English Premier League. It will only intensify with the closing of the transfer window coming just before the FIFA sanctioned weekend of international games. Bring on round four.

Champions Clamber, City Cruise and Chelsea held by Courageous Stoke

Manchester United escaped with a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea were held to a nil all draw with a determined Stoke, whilst Sergio Agüero made a dream debut for Manchester City. Firstly lets take a closer look at Chelsea's draw with Stoke.

New manager Andre Villas-Boas decided to leave star strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka on the bench in favour of out of form Spanish striker Fernando Torres. Salmon Kalou and Florent Malouda flanked the number nine in a 4-3-3 system that looked more threatening as the game wore on. However Stoke were very compact and defended well against a Chelsea team that looked to play the ball along the deck. Torres showed some great touches - something Chelsea fans aren't quite used to yet. Chelsea also had three genuine penalty claims turned down by the referee, with one of these incidents involving Torres. In the later stages of the game both Kalou and Malouda were replaced by the more distinguished pair of strikers on the bench as Villas-Boas looked to attack Stoke with all his firepower available. Anelka came closest to scoring as he cut in from the left flank on to his favoured right foot and looked to chip Stoke 'keeper Begovic. Begovic however did brilliantly and managed to get a hand to the ball, knocking it against the cross bar. There was bad news for Stoke as inspirational winger Matthew Etherington went off with a suspected broken arm or collarbone. Rory Delap also came off with what looked like a repeat of his hamstring injury leading into the match. Both will be a major loss for Stoke in their upcoming match against Premier League new boys Norwich.

Defending champions Manchester United were lucky to escape the Hawthorns with a victory and it came at a cost. West Bromwich pushed them all the way, but only managed to score from a piece of poor keeping. Rooney started the scoring with a superb left foot drive from just outside the box, he was set up by United's new winger Ashley Young. Twenty minutes later West Bromwich replied when new signing - Sean Long - scored after a keeping error from United's new 'keeper David De Gea. Long cut inside onto his right foot and drove the ball at goal, with De Gea diving over the ball and missing it making the score 1 all. It took United until the 81st minute to win the match when that man Ashley Young was at it again. He surged forward down the left flank to the byline where he drove in a half shot/half cross, for it to be turned in by West Brom defender Simon Reid. However the victory came at a cost for United as they lost their captain and vice captain or there centre back pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Ferdinand's injury appears to be the worst with a six week lay off expceted, whilst the extent of Vidic's injury is unknown at this stage.

The 'noisy neighbours' got their season off to a flying start without former captain Carlos Tevez starting. They put the sword to Swansea in the second half laying on four goals to beat them four nil. Big money (£38 million) signing Sergio Agüero came on as a 60th minute substitute for Nigel De Jong (yes our friend that fly kicked Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final), with the scores at 1 nil. He had a hand in all three remaining goals, scoring two himself. His first goal came from a lovely ground cross from right back Micah Richards. Agüero beat everyone to the ball and claimed his first goal for his new club. Next he set up David Silva for a slightly controversial goal. Agüero this time chipped it over Swansea's new 'keeper, Michel Vorm, and then kicked it back over his head for the waiting David Silva to lash home. On second showing, when Agüero kicked the ball back over his head to keep it in play, it appears as if the ball was actually out - the rule being in football for all of the ball to be over the line. However the goal stood and it was three nil, but Agüero was not finished yet. His second goal came in injury time, as he received a pass from Yaya Toure, well outside the penalty area. Kun - Agüero's nickname - then decided to have a pop at goal. He succeeded as the ball went flying into the net from over thirty yards, a superb finish from a world class player.

So that wraps up round one of the 2011/2012 EPL season and what a start. Manchester City were the only team to win at home in the opening round. Tottenham and Everton's match was called off due to the riots in London and there were five draws. An interesting to start to what should be another bumper year of football.