Premiership Review: Ricardo Carvalho was Chelsea's unlikely hero as the Barclays Premiership champions marked Ashley Cole's debut with a 2-1 home victory over Charlton, but it was Portsmouth who continued to raise eyebrows with their third win from four.
Cole began on the bench for Chelsea, Wayne Bridge keeping his place, but the former Arsenal defender replaced his fellow England international in the 62nd minute.
The score was 1-1 at that stage, former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink having levelled up Didier Drogba's early opener.
And almost immediately Carvalho headed Chelsea back into the lead, with the aid of a slight deflection off Amdy Faye's temple.
Drogba, partnering Andriy Shevchenko, had jabbed the ball home left-footed to give Chelsea the lead in the sixth minute after a Frank Lampard corner.
Hasselbaink curled home a leveller after 54 minutes before Carvalho restored Chelsea's advantage and gave Jose Mourinho's side a third win in four league matches.
Lampard had a late penalty saved by Scott Carson after Salomon Kalou went down in the area under Talal El Karkouri's challenge.
However Chelsea remain a point behind unbeaten Portsmouth, with Harry Redknapp's side defeating Wigan 1-0 at Fratton Park.
It took them top for a couple of hours before Manchester United beat Tottenham in Old Trafford.
Defences were on top in a goalless half, although there were chances for Benjani Mwaruwari and Henri Camara.
Mwaruwari made the breakthrough after 49 minutes, firing home after Sol Campbell headed the ball forward in his direction.
Alongside Portsmouth with 10 points from four matches are Everton after their 3-0 win over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Arsenal were held 1-1 at home by Middlesbrough, a match which saw William Gallas make his Gunners debut at left-back.
Boro went in front after 22 minutes when James Morrison played a slick one-two with new signing Jason Euell and fired Boro ahead from 12 yards with the outside of his right boot.
George Boateng was dismissed after 64 minutes.
Arsenal drew level three minutes later when Thierry Henry converted a penalty, after Emmanuel Eboue was tripped by Stewart Downing.
There was unlikely away day glory for Fulham when the won 2-1 at Newcastle, thanks to two late strikes from Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra.
Scott Parker headed Newcastle in front after 54 minutes.
Three penalties were missed in a goalless draw between Sheffield United and Blackburn at Bramall Lane.
Lucas Neill failed from the spot in the 71st minute as Paddy Kenny saved his tame effort, and then David Unsworth saw his penalty turned away by Brad Friedel eight minutes later.
With just three minutes left, United had another chance to snatch three points, however Friedel dived full length to parry Rob Hulse's spot-kick to safety.
There was no such wastefulness at the Reebok Stadium where Gary Speed blasted home a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time to earn Bolton a 1-0 home win over Watford.
The Trotters gave a debut to new £8 million signing Nicolas Anelka.
