Arsenal also tastes season's first defeat LONDON – Chelsea's perfect start to its title defense ended with a loss at Manchester City Saturday, Arsenal was beaten by West Bromwich Albion, and Liverpool salvaged a draw with Sunderland after taking the lead with a contentious goal. Carlos Tevez's solo strike clinched City's 1-0 victory over Chelsea, which had won five successive matches before faltering in its first big test of the Premier League season. Arsenal's own unbeaten streak was ended by Peter Odemwingie and Gonzalo Jara scoring within two minutes of each other as West Brom won 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool, which drew 2-2 with Sunderland, went ahead through Dirk Kuyt after Fernando Torres pounced on a loose ball, which Sunderland's Michael Turner had appeared to be rolling back for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to take a free kick. West Ham recorded its first win of the season by defeating Tottenham 1-0 and was replaced at the bottom of the standings by Everton, which drew 0-0 at Fulham and remains winless. Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton scored in the third minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory over Blackpool, while Birmingham was held to a 0-0 draw by Wigan. The first game of the day was largely devoid of goalmouth action, but was settled by Tevez's moment of individual brilliance in the 59th minute. The Argentina striker charged forward after collecting Yaya Toure's short pass on the halfway line, jinked right and then dispatched the ball through defender Ashley Cole's legs and in off the far post. Despite City being only four points behind Chelsea, Mancini has written off his expensively assembled squad's chances of stopping the London club winning a second successive title. Arsenal remains four points behind leader Chelsea, giving Manchester United, which is also on 11 points, the chance to take second place from the Gunners when it plays Bolton Sunday. The match at Anfield started in bizarre circumstances, which led to Sunderland manager Steve Bruce accusing Liverpool of “unsporting” behavior. Sunderland was awarded a free kick inside its own half and Turner gave the ball only a gentle knock in the direction of goalkeeper Mignolet, who was some 30 meters away. “Everybody in the ground knew Turner was playing it back from where the free kick should have been taken,” Bruce said. But referee Stuart Attwell judged the ball to be live, and Liverpool's Torres pounced on it before Kuyt collected the Spaniard's pass to score. Sunderland's Darren Bent leveled 20 minutes later from the penalty spot and headed the visitors ahead in the 48th, but Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard nodded an equalizer in the 64th. At Upton Park, Frederic Piquionne eased the pressure on manager Avram Grant by leaping high to power home Mark Noble's corner to score his first league goal. Roma beats Inter Substitute Mirko Vucinic's injury-time diving header gave struggling AS Roma a 1-0 home win over Serie A leader Inter Milan Saturday. The game between last season's champion and runner-up was drifting towards a goalless draw, despite Inter having a number of chances, before the Montenegro striker nodded in Daniele De Rossi's cross. Vucinic's heroics handed Roma, in 15th spot, its first league win of the campaign and Inter its first Serie A defeat. Earlier, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored again to help AC Milan to a battling 1-0 home win over Genoa. United faces Wolves Champion Manchester United will face Premier League rival Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last 16 of the English League Cup after the draw was made Saturday. League Two (fourth division) Northampton Town's reward for knocking out Liverpool in midweek is an away tie at Championship (second division) side Ipswich Town while the pick of the fourth round is Newcastle United's home clash with Arsenal. Newcastle, back in the Premier League this season and seeking their first meaningful silverware since winning the FA Cup in 1955, knocked out Chelsea in a seven-goal thriller in the previous round and will face another stiff task against the north Londoners. West Ham United are at home to Stoke City, Leicester City host West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa play Burnley and League One (third division) Brentford, who knocked out Premier League Everton in midweek, travel to Birmingham City. Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez will face his old club Swansea City at home.
