Chelsea maintained its 100 percent start to the season when a stunning free-kick from new signing Deco was enough to give it a 1-0 English Premier League victory at Wigan Athletic yesterday.

Deco, who also scored on his league debut in last week's 4-0 win over Portsmouth, struck with a beautifully-executed free-kick in the fourth minute after Wigan's Lee Cattermole handled the ball just outside the penalty area.

The win took Chelsea back to the top of the table with six points, the same as Liverpool although Chelsea has a better goal difference.

Wigan, which spoiled Chelsea's hopes of winning the title last season with a late goal to force a 1-1 tie at Stamford Bridge in April, continually pressed for an equalizer but was thwarted time and again by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

On Saturday, Norway's Brede Hangeland scored a first-half goal to hand Fulham, which escaped relegation on the final day of last season, an 1-0 home win over Arsenal.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored four minutes into injury time to cap a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Middlesbrough at Anfield.

A header by substitute Michael Owen earned Newcastle United a 1-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers in his first game of the season while Tottenham Hotspur went down to a shock 1-2 home loss to Sunderland, Djibril Cisse netting the winner.

Mali striker Mamady Sidibe struck four minutes into stoppage time as promoted Stoke City beat visiting Aston Villa 3-2, while Everton won 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers were held 1-1 at home by Hull City.

Fulham, which lost 1-2 at promoted Hull on the opening day of the season, felt its surprise victory proved it was worthy of remaining among the elite. "I think we were a bit unlucky last week. When we play our best football like we did in the first half it's possible to beat any team," Hangeland told Sky Sports.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily August 25, 2008)