Liverpool kept up their momentum with a 2-0 win at Sunderland in the English Premier League yesterday as leaders Manchester City prepared to do battle at Arsenal.
Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko scored with a shot from the edge of the penalty box in the 37th minute to set Liverpool on their way at the Stadium of Light.
Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin finished off Roy Keane's newly-promoted side with three minutes to go, neatly turning his marker in the box before tucking his shot inside Craig Gordon's far post.
PHOTO: EPA
Maintaining their unbeaten start to the season, Liverpool gave themselves a confidence boost going in to Tuesday's Champions League qualifier second leg against Toulouse. The Reds lead 1-0 from the first leg in southwest France.
Meanwhile a second straight defeat for last season's Championship winners Sunderland will do nothing to please combative boss Keane, a man who does not take losing lightly.
Manchester City, the only team to have won three out of three so far this season, were looking to keep their surprise run going in their clash at Emirates in north London.
Arsenal were to rest Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann -- who may well have been dropped were it not for an achilles injury.
Chelsea, breathing down City's necks, were hosting fifth-placed Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge, with Blues boss Jose Mourinho hoping the visitors feel the sharp end of his attack -- and fail to capitalize on their somewhat shaky defending of late.
Fourth-placed Everton were hosting Blackburn at Goodison Park.
Wigan, third in the table, traveled to West Ham, who were hoping to get a second win out of their hefty spending on new players.
Newly-promoted sides Derby and Birmingham were both winless and in the bottom three but one side had the chance to escape the relegation zone in their clash at Pride Park.
The two sides had not met in the top flight since 1978.
Rock-bottom Bolton Wanderers hosted Reading, who have one of the most resilient defenses in the league.
Elsewhere, Fulham traveled to Aston Villa.
In today's action, champions Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur, with both clubs desperate for a victory.
Middlesbrough host Newcastle in a northeast derby.
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