Nicolas Anelka scored in the 87th minute as Manchester City moved atop the Premier League standings with a 3-2 win at Blackburn on Monday.
Michael Tarnat and Joey Barton also scored for City, which has two wins and a draw after three games. City leads defending champion Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea by one point, though Kevin Keegan's team has played one more game.
"You had two teams that wanted to win it, and when you've got two teams that want to win it, you are going to get a good game of football," Keegan told Sky Sports. "We just edged the game, but it was a great game."
Lorenzo Amoruso scored for Blackburn, which has a win, loss and draw. The Rovers' other goal came when Trevor Sinclair headed a corner into his own net.
Tarnat, who joined from Bayern Munich in the offseason, beat Friedel in the fourth minute with a swerving left-footed free kick from 30m out. Shaun Wright Phillips, arguably City's best player, forced Friedel to make a good save at the near post in the 19th minute.
With Manchester City 'keeper David Seaman ready to punch the ball to safety, Sinclair leveled the game in the 44th minute off Brett Emerton's kick.
Barton's low shot beat Friedel in the 59th minute, but Amoruso's header off a corner -- with Seaman stranded -- made it 2-2 two minutes later.
With space in midfield and defenses stretched, both teams had chances. City midfielder Antoine Sibierski shot wide twice from close range, and Blackburn's Turkish midfielder, Tugay, went close in the 83rd minute.
Anelka scored the winner from a poor angle, beating Friedel through the legs with a low shot to the far post.
"I thought it was a cracking game of football," said Blackburn manager Graeme Souness.
"I think Brad is the best [goalie] around, but he's had one of those nights."
City has now scored seven goals in three games. Blackburn has scored nine goals but conceded six.
In games Tuesday, Charlton plays Everton, Leeds hosts Southampton, Middlesbrough visits Leicester and Portsmouth faces Bolton.
Shaun Bartlett is expected to partner Jason Euell up front for Charlton, despite suffering a hand injury in Saturday's 4-0 win over Wolves.
Southampton, looking for its first win, is still without No. 1 'keeper Antti Niemi (knee). Leeds' central defensive pairing of Lucas Radebe (knee) and Dominic Matteo (ankle) both face late fitness tests.
Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta and loan signing Danny Mills could make their debuts for 'Boro -- looking for its first point -- against newly promoted Leicester.
Promoted Portsmouth, with a win and draw from two games, will give Australian central defender Hayden Foxe a fitness test before deciding whether he'll play.
Foxe injured his thigh in a friendly against Ireland last week.
In the first division Monday, West Bromwich Albion -- one of the favorites to win promotion -- moved into a tie for top spot with a 1-0 win over Preston. West Brom and Crystal Palace each have nine points, though Palace has played one fewer game.
Sunderland beat Watford 2-0 for its second straight league win after losing 17 straight.
RSS