Liverpool and Chelsea continue to lead the English Premiership race after three rounds, but both sides were held to draws as Manchester City entered the top three through a big win at Sunderland.
In the first West London derby of the season, Tottenham has held on to frustrate Chelsea in a 1-1 result at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs hadn't defeated their arch rival on away soil in over 18 years and didn't look likely to repeat the feat as Dimitar Berbatov languished in the reserves team with the shadow of his transfer saga hitting the club hard.
But a first-half goal from Chelsea's makeshift holding midfielder Juliano Belletti, deputising for the injured Michael Balllack, in the 27th minutes galvanised Spurs and they responded with a goal of their own.
Tottenham's Darren Bent was involved in both pieces of play however, as the England striker's miscued clearance rebounded into goal off Belletti's thigh for the opening score of the afternoon. However Bent somewhat atoned for his misfortune by firing in the equaliser after gaining possession off Frank Lampard.
But, despite the stalemate, Chelsea remains on top of the table, leading second-placed Liverpool on goal difference by three goals, as Tottenham (19th) continues to search for its first win of the new campaign.
After Chelsea's draw in Sunday's early match, Liverpool had the opportunity to move into outright first when it played Aston Villa (seventh) at Villa Park, but the Reds could only manage a 0-0 draw and saw star striker Fernando Torres brought off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Neither side, however, created many clear-cut chances in a cautious match from both clubs that was more notable for the savage reception Reds boss Rafa Benitez received from the home fans after attempting to woo Villa skipper Gareth Barry over to Anfield during the summer.
In the afternoon's late clash, Shaun Wright-Phillips has returned to third-placed Manchester City's ranks in style, burying a double as the Sky Blues routed Sunderland (18th) 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Black Cats' manager Roy Keane was looking for a positive result at home after some opening-round disappointment for the Wearside fans, but instead he saw his experienced outfit capitulate to City after half-time.
Both sides fashioned several chances during an entertaining opening, the Black Cats threatening through Keiran Richardson, whose touch was heavy as he fluffed a one-on-one opportunity with City stopper Joe Hart.
But, on the stroke of half-time, City's hero from last season, Stephen Ireland, started a good move through the middle, sending a nice pass out wide to Michael Johnson before running forward and fortuitously receiving the cross back from Johnson after it deflected into his path, burying the opener from eight metres.
And from then on, it was one way traffic, as Wright-Phillips celebrated his return to Eastland after three seasons of frustration at Chelsea by scoring in the 50th and 58th minutes as Sunderland was fortunate not to be on the end of a far greater defeat.
English Premier League
Chelsea 1 (Belleti 27)
Tottenham 1 (Bent 45)
Sunderland 0
Manchester City 3 (Ireland 45, Wright-Phillips 50, 58)
Aston Villa 0
Liverpool 0