With the top two playing each other and protecting their 100 percent records, some of the spotlight has been taken away from Sunday's Liverpool-Manchester United confrontation at Anfield.
Manchester United's own perfect start to the season was halted by neighbor Manchester City, which held Alex Ferguson's team to a 1-1 tie today. Manchester United also settled for a 0-0 draw with Spain's Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday. Wayne Rooney, whose temper has boiled over in recent games for United and England, was sent off for sarcastically applauding the referee for giving him a yellow card.
Liverpool is unbeaten in three Premier League games but has won only one of them. Rafa Benitez' team, which won the Champions League last season, is coming off a 2-1 victory at Real Betis on Tuesday.
Today's other games are Aston Villa-Tottenham, Fulham-West Ham, Portsmouth-Birmingham and Sunderland-West Bromwich Albion.
Tomorrow, Blackburn hosts Newcastle, Manchester City welcomes neighbor Bolton and Wigan, boosted by two straight victories, receives a Middlesbrough side that beat Arsenal 2-1 last weekend.
The Gunners, who needed a last-minute Dennis Bergkamp winner to beat modest FC Thun 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, aren't in action until Monday when they host Everton.



