By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Striker Fernando Torres and Juan Mata scored as Chelsea solidified its hold on the Premier League leadership with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal Saturday at Emirates Stadium.

The victory has given Roberto Di Matteo's side a total of 16 points, three points clear of closest pursuer Everton and four points ahead of Manchester City and Manchester United while the loss ended Arsenal's unbeaten start to the season.

"We played very well and deservedly won the game," Di Matteo said. "It's always difficult when you come to the Emirates Stadium. They're a very good side. I thought we were excellent today."

Torres struck in the 20th minute when he booted in a kick by Mata past the defense of goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

The Spaniard also had a chance to give Chelsea a 2-0 lead when he took the ball from Laurent Koscielny and darted into the penalty area. But Torres stumbled when he was about to shoot, allowing Arsenal to clear the threat.

"I've always said he was happy. You tend to over-analyze a bit too much. I was always happy with his contribution and he scored a great goal," Di Matteo said of Torres.

Arsenal found their rhythm and tied it in the 42nd minute behind Gervinho, who collected a low-center cross by Arteta and blasted it into the roof of the net.

Mata delivered the finishing blow in the 53rd minute, unleashing the game-winning goal that was partially touched by Koscielny before passing Mannone's guard.

Arsene Wenger lamented the loss, saying his team's failure to defend set-pieces doomed their chances.

"We were very nervous at the start and after the first 20 minutes when we got into it we should have never lost this game," Wenger said. "It's sad because we have a good team and we were playing at home. We conceded two soft goals from set-pieces. They had three shots on target and they scored two goals."

Meanwhile, two early goals from Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale helped Tottenham Hotspur score its first road win over Manchester United since 1989, 3-2, at Old Trafford.

After Tottenham grabbed a 2-0 lead, United bounced back with a goal from Nani in the 51st minute but Clint Dempsey answered for Tottenham in the 52nd minute. Shinji Kagawa scored in the 53rd minute for the final count.

In other matches, Everton beat Southampton, 3-1; Manchester City defeated Fulham, 2-1; Liverpool crushed Norwich City, 5-2; Stoke City beat Swansea City, 2-0; Sunderland edged Wigan Athletic, 1-0; while Reading and Newcastle United battled to a 2-2 draw.

 

Chelsea Ends Arsenal's Unbeaten Premier League Start