Liverpool leave it late as Arsenal slip up

(CNN) -- Steven Gerrard scored a superb injury-time winner to lift Liverpool to the top of English Premier League while title rivals Arsenal suffered an early setback as they lost 1-0 at Fulham in Saturday's late game.

Rafa Benitez's side looked to be heading to a shock defeat to Middlesbrough at Anfield as Egyptian international Mido scored with a fine striker in the 70th minute.

But, with just four minutes left, Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz deflected Jamie Carragher's shot into his own net.

Up then stepped Liverpool captain Gerrard, who played with a calf injury, to claim the three points for his side with a thumping shot into the top corner.

"It was a fantastic finish. It's always important to win but to win in this way with the passion and commitment of the players is much better," Benitez told Sky Sports News.

Later, Arsenal went down to a Brede Hangeland goal for Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The giant Norway international defender scored from Jimmy Bullard's cross in the 21st minute.

Sorely missing the injured Cesc Fabregas, Arsene Wenger's men struggled for inspiration and only Emmanuel Adebayor, with a first half header which hit a post, came close to salvaging a point.

Wenger was disappointed by his team's lackluster display.

"They had a corner and they took advantage of it. In the first half, we were not sharp enough, not fast enough on the ball."

Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham also suffered early season misery as they went down 2-1 to Sunderland at White Hart Lane, their second successive defeat.

To compound their problems, striker Dimitar Berbatov was left out by manager Juande Ramos, who said he was not properly focused since asking for a transfer.

Without Berbatov, who is tipped to join Manchester United, Tottenham lacked punch and after Jermaine Jenas had equalized Kieran Richardson's opener for Roy Keane's side, substitute Djbril Cisse scored a late winner in his first appearance for Sunderland.

Cisse had only joined on loan from Marseille less than 24 hours previously.

Elsewhere, Newcastle continued their fine start to the season as Michael Owen came off the bench to give them a 1-0 win over Bolton.

Owen, who contracted mumps during pre-season, missed Newcastle's opening weekend draw at Manchester United with a calf injury.

Newly-promoted Stoke claimed their first top-flight victory since 1985 as Mamady Sidibe's stoppage time strike beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium.

Everton beat another newly-promoted side West Bromwich Albion 2-1 while the third set of newboys, Hull City, drew 1-1 at Blackburn.

On Sunday, Chelsea visit Wigan and Manchester City host West Ham. Champions Manchester United go to Portsmouth on Monday.