BLP: Slim win for Chelsea, grea8t one for Saints

Goals from Oscar and Cesc Fabregas saw Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea win a fiery derby with Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

Diego Costa, who has scored nine goals in his first seven league games, was missing after persistent hamstring trouble in the opening weeks of the season.

But the Blues coped with the absence of the £32 million Spain striker.

A brilliant early free-kick by Oscar took the pressure off Loic Remy, Costa’s deputy, who was making his first Premier League start for Chelsea.

And Damien Delaney gave the visitors an escape when he received a second booking just three minutes after Cesar Azpilicueta had been sent off for a reckless two-footed lunge on Mile Jedinak.

Fabregas struck six minutes into the second half after playing return passes with Eden Hazard and then Oscar to surge into the area for his first league goal for unbeaten Chelsea.

Arsenal needed a late equaliser from Danny Welbeck to prevent a home defeat to Hull City, drawing 2-2 thanks to the striker’s injury-time goal.

Alexis Sanchez had put the home side ahead with a magnificent solo goal early on, but Hull responded quickly through Mo Diame’s strike going ahead at the start of the second half with Abel Hernandez’s goal.

At Goodison Park, Everton consigned Aston Villa to a fourth straight defeat by winning 3-0.

Phil Jagielka scored for the second straight match to give Everton an 18th-minute lead.

Brad Guzan, in goal for Villa, let Romelu Lukaku’s shot roll away from him to make it 2-0 in the 48th.

Right back Seamus Coleman completed the easy win in the 76th – Everton’s first home win of the season.

Southampton took full advantage of some questionable Sunderland defending to seal a comprehensive 8-0 win at home.

Ronald Koeman’s side struck three times in the opening half and, although their attacking play was impressive, they were helped on their way to a club-record top-flight win by a number of mistakes from the visitors.

Sergio Aguero scored four goals in a game of four penalties as Manchester City recorded a memorable 4-1 win over 10-man Tottenham Hotspur at Eastlands.

Aguero’s impressive haul means the Argentina striker is now City’s top scorer in the Premier League era, with 61 goals in 95 appearances.

Sam Allardyce – who turns 60 Sunday – will now be able to celebrate in style after another impressive performance away from home.

After a goalless first-half Diafra Sakho scored with a header in the 49th minute to give the visitors the lead.

Five minutes later Enner Valencia headed home powerfully to double the lead.

George Boyd scored a scrappy goal for the Clarets with an hour gone to give the home side hope.

But Carlton Cole sealed the three points for the Hammers, bravely heading home in the 70th minute.