Manchester United's tenancy at the top of the Premiership may last for more than an afternoon as second-placed Chelsea and third-placed Arsenal are drawing 1-1 at half-time at Highbury.
Edu opened the scoring for the home side in only the fifth minute, the Brazilian driving a left-footed shot home from 25 yards.
But Arsenal's lead lasted just three minutes before Argentina striker Hernan Crespo levelled from even further out.
Patrik Berger did not take long to remind former club Liverpool what they were missing with the Czech international netting for his new employers Portsmouth just four minutes into their encounter with the Merseysiders.
With Middlesbrough and Newcastle both looking to resuscitate their league campaigns, Shola Ameobi gave the Magpies the lead with his 21st minute goal.
Manchester City's England Under-21 international Shaun Wright-Phillips equalised against Bolton in the 27th minute, just two minutes after Kevin Nolan had put the visitors in front.
Wolves, who recorded their first win in the Premiership with a defeat of City last time out, were holding Fulham to a scoreless draw at the break.