Dutch winger Arjen Robben was again in inspirational form to keep Chelsea top of the table as the English club and fellow Londoners Arsenal won high-scoring derbies in the English Premier League on Saturday.
In the early kickoff, Arsenal exploited some woeful Tottenham Hotspur defending to briefly go top with a 5-4 victory at their north London rivals before Robben scored the second for Chelsea in a 4-1 win at Fulham later in the west London derby.
Frank Lampard opened the scoring in the 33rd minute but Papa Bouba Diop equalised after half time before Robben produced an excellent left-foot finish to cap another impressive display of pace and power.
William Gallas and Tiago then completed the easy victory to keep Chelsea two points clear of champions Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger's side ended a run of three league matches without a victory in the joint highest scoring match in Premier League history.
"Usually derbies are 0-0 or completely crazy. In the end it was a cricket score," Wenger told Sky Sports. "We are back to winning habits in a derby we don't traditionally win."
Moroccan defender Noureddine Naybet gave the hosts the lead in Martin Jol's first league game in permanent charge by turning in Michael Carrick's free kick in the 37th minute.
Thierry Henry hit back in first half stoppage time and Tottenham's defence began to fall apart in the second half when Noe Pamarot pulled down Fredrik Ljungberg in the area and right back Lauren slotted home the penalty.
CLEAR RUN
Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira was allowed a clear run on goal to score before Arsenal's defence also went missing as Jermain Defoe smashed the ball into the top corner.
Ljungberg then finished off Francesc Fabregas' superb reverse pass and Tottenham defender Ledley King nodded in another good Carrick free kick before substitutes Robert Pires and Frederic Kanoute traded goals.
Czech striker Milan Baros hit a hat-trick, including a last-minute penalty, to give Liverpool a 3-2 win over improving Crystal Palace.
Fourth-placed Bolton lost their first home league game this season, going down 2-1 to Aston Villa with German midfielder Thomas Hitzelsperger winning the game from long range.
Jonatan Johansson scored twice in Charlton's 4-0 victory over winless Norwich and Paul Dickov scored a late penalty to earn Blackburn a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, who had defender Danny Mills sent off.
In another early kickoff, striker Kevin Phillips helped troubled Southampton to a 2-1 win at home to Portsmouth in the south coast derby, giving manager Steve Wigley his first Premier league win at the 11th attempt.
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