Manchester United dropped its first points of the season in a 1-1 draw at Stoke City on Saturday but ended the day top of the English Premier League while Chelsea striker Fernando Torres scored and was sent off in his side's 4-1 win over Swansea City.

Manchester City temporarily led the standings after winning its lunchtime kickoff 2-0 against Everton at the Etihad Stadium, but United went back to the summit despite only drawing its evening game at the Britannia Stadium.

United and City both have 16 points from six matches with last season's champion ahead on goal difference.

United led at Stoke with a first-half goal from Nani but was pegged back when Peter Crouch headed home a corner. City overcame Everton with goals from second-half substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner.

Chelsea stayed third after brushing aside Swansea at Stamford Bridge where its record 50-million pound (US$77 million) signing Torres scored and was sent off within 10 minutes in the first half, dismissed with an instant red card after a flying lunge at Swansea's Mark Gower. Ramires scored twice for Chelsea and Didier Drogba had the other on his return from injury.

Newcastle United maintained its unbeaten start and stayed fourth with Senegal international Demba Ba scoring a hat-trick in its 3-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers.

Liverpool moved up to fifth after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Anfield where a Roger Johnson own goal after 11 minutes and a second from Luis Suarez after 38 gave the hosts the points.

Tottenham Hotspur climbed to sixth with a third straight league victory, winning 2-1 at Wigan Athletic. Arsenal, struggling at the wrong end of the table after its worst start for 58 years, moved up five places to 12th with a 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.