London  - Middlesbrough and West Ham United moved alongside Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the English Premier League thanks to victories on Saturday.

Middlesbrough earned a 2-1 win over promoted Stoke City, while West Ham thumped Blackburn Rovers 4-1.

Wigan Athletic and Portsmouth earned their first points of the season with heavy away victories, while West Bromwich Albion earned their first points of the season with a 0-0 draw at Bolton.

Stoke's Amdy Faye was sent off for a nasty challenge on 38 minutes and Afonso Alves made them pay when he curled in a superb free kick to put Middlesbrough ahead.

Stewart Downing missed a penalty chance to double their lead and Justin Hoyte equalised for Stoke against the run of play, only for Tuncay to net the winner five minutes from time.

The win lifts Gareth Southgate's side to six points, the same as Chelsea and Liverpool, who are in action on Sunday.

West Ham joined them on six points after a 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers, with Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole completing the scoring in injury time.

Amr Zaki scored twice as Wigan went to Hull and routed them 5-0, while Jermain Defoe opened the scoring for Portsmouth as they won 3-0 at struggling Everton.

Later on Saturday, Arsenal face Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium, where victory for the visitors would take them top. (dpa)