Quickfire Van Persie keeps United top as City stay in touch...
But it's another night on the boos for Benitez as Chelsea draw blank
By LEE BRYAN and JOHN EDWARDS
Wednesday's match reports
Any goal you can score, I can score quicker…
Theo Walcott scored the fastest goal of the Barclays Premier League season after 52 seconds at Goodison Park, but he was soon overtaken by former team-mate Robin van Persie, who kept his side top of the table.
The Dutchman struck after just 31 seconds to conquer West Ham at Old Trafford, keeping United a point clear of Manchester City in what is starting to look like another two-way fight for the title between the Manchester giants.
Van Persie has now hit the net in his last five games against West Ham and he scored after 31 seconds to get the leaders off to a flying start.
But there were no goals for the second successive game at Chelsea, where Fulham celebrated a point.
Sir Alex Ferguson said: ‘With Chelsea drawing, it draws us away from them a little bit further. But, of course, City are on our tails, so it is going to be a long season.’
Quick of the mark: Robin van Persie scored after just 31 seconds as Manchester United hosted West Ham
Flying start: Theo Walcott was celebrating after scoring for Arsenal in the first minute of their match at Everton
The match at Stamford Bridge was the only match without a goal and it brought more boos for Rafa Benitez.
The result (predicted by MailOnline’s Neil Ashton before kick-off) leaves Chelsea seven points behind the leaders Manchester United and the home fans sang the name of sacked manager Roberto di Matteo again.
Start me up: Mario Balotelli (left) was back in the Manchester City XI for the first time in six games
All eyes on Rafa: Benitez was taking charge of his second game since being handed the reins at Chelsea
On a night with eight Premier League games, Manchester City won at Wigan with Mario Balotelli scoring his first Premier League goal of the season.
It followed a mistake by Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi and James Milner scored a screamer into the top corner to see them home.
Spurs defeated Liverpool, with Gareth Bale scoring at both ends – including a comedy own goal.
Rousing reception: Mark Clattenburg (3rd right) was cheered to the rafters after he warmed up for his return
Pick that out: Gareth Bale (right) doubled the lead for Spurs against Liverpool with a free-kick
At Goodison Park, Everton drew 1-1 with Arsenal, despite Walcott’s speedy opener. Marouane Fellaini scored the equaliser.
Swansea stopped high-flying West Brom with a convincing 3-1 win. Michu scored two to take his tally to eight Premier League goals this season. Only Luis Surez has scored more (10).
Sorry Toon : Papiss Cisse fired Newcastle ahead against Stoke but the joy was short lived
Newcastle’s run of bad results continued – it’s only one win in nine games since Alan Pardew signed his new eight-year contract. They led 1-0 at Stoke, but lost 2-1.
Grant Holt stormed off the pitch after being substituted at Southampton, where Norwich stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches in a 1-1 draw.
Referee Mark Clattenburg made a return to the game and was clapped during his warm up by home supporters.
All white on the night: Swansea refused to lie down when they faced high-flying West Bromwich Albion
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