Premiership round-up: Arsenal consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League with an 11th straight win in all competitions against managerless Bolton.
Bolton, who parted company with Sammy Lee earlier in the week, put up stubborn resistance but were finally undone by Kolo Toure's free-kick on 67 minutes which was drilled into the bottom corner.
Tomas Rosicky then combined with fellow substitute Theo Walcott to make it 2-0 after 80 minutes.
Didier Drogba wisely let his boots do the talking following his explosive comments about Chelsea this week, opening the scoring against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
Drogba slotted home Frank Lampard's astute pass after seven minutes and Alex hammered home a 35-yard free-kick 12 minutes into the second half to seal victory.
Blackburn maintained their impressive start to the season with a 4-2 victory over Reading at Ewood Park. Roque Santa Cruz headed Brett Emerton's cross back across the face of goal for Benni McCarthy to volley into the net at the near post after 17 minutes.
Cruz made it 2-0 after 22 minutes with an unerring finish after being played through by David Dunn's neat flick and Tugay smashed the third with a superb long-range half-volley which Marcus Hahnemann palmed into his own net.
Kevin Doyle pulled one back for the visitors but barely a minute later McCarthy made it 4-1 from the penalty spot after Ibrahima Sonko's foul on Matt Derbyshire. Doyle grabbed his second in injury-time but it was too little, too late for Steve Coppell's side.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce was furious with the officials after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at Eastlands. Bruce was convinced his side should have had a free-kick for a foul by Michael Johnson in the build-up to Elano's fine left-footed strike in the 37th minute.
Blues had plenty of chances to at least claim a point but failed to convert any.
Fulham drew 0-0 at home to Derby despite playing the second half with 10 men at Craven Cottage. Paul Konchesky received his marching orders for lashing out at Craig Fagan after the pair clashed on the touchline on the stroke of half-time.
Fagan was shown a yellow card by referee Phil Dowd for his part in the incident.
Portsmouth increased the pressure on Wigan boss Chris Hutchings with a 2-0 victory at the JJB Stadium.
Benjani Mwaruwari finally broke the deadlock with a left-footed volley from close range after 81 minutes and Glen Johnson sealed the points with a superb solo effort four minutes later.
