Manchester United stormed to the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a 4-1 thumping of Middlesbrough while Chelsea stole the limelight with a 6-0 hammering of third-placed Manchester City.

Carlos Tevez scored twice as United notched an eighth successive league victory and hit four goals in a match for the fourth time in a row for the first time since 1907.

The champions could lose first place on Sunday when Arsenal, on a high after a 7-0 romp over Slavia Prague on Tuesday, travel to Liverpool looking for a 13th consecutive victory in all competitions.

Didier Drogba bagged two goals against hapless City as Chelsea more than doubled their home goals tally this season in 90 scintillating minutes at Stamford Bridge. Andriy Shevchenko also got in on the act after coming on as a substitute. After a poor start to the season and the traumatic parting of the ways with former coach Jose Mourinho, Chelsea are now back in the top four with Frank Lampard pulling the strings.

Fulham were denied a first away victory of the season when Kenwyne Jones scored late for Sunderland in a 1-1 draw. Improving Reading beat Newcastle United 2-1 while Birmingham City twice came from behind to defeat Wigan Athletic 3-2 at home.

Portsmouth's Benjani Mwaruwari had a stoppage-time penalty saved in a 0-0 home draw with West Ham. United have 26 points from 11 games, with Arsenal on 25 from nine. City (22) are third with Chelsea on 21.