Costa’s hat-trick keeps Chelsea top

Diego Costa scored a hat-trick as Chelsea opened an early gap atop the Premier League standings with a 4-2 win over Swansea, ending the visitors’ perfect start to the season.

Costa made sure Chelsea recovered from John Terry’s early own goal as the Brazil-born Spain forward continued his stellar scoring form by making it seven goals in four league games since joining from Atletico Madrid in the offseason.

He headed in an equaliser just before half-time and then added two more after the break before being substituted for another new signing in Loic Remy.

The French forward added the fourth on his debut before Jonjo Shelvey pulled a late goal back for Swansea.

City rescued

Earlier, a late looping header from Martin Demichelis rescued a 2-2 draw for Manchester City at Arsenal.

Sergio Aguero the holders ahead in the first half but Jack Wilshere burst into the box and chipped Joe Hart after the break and Alexis Sanchez showed superb technique to volley Arsenal ahead.

That had threatened to prove decisive until Demichelis rose highest in the area to guide a corner into the net.

Meanwhile, unbeaten Aston Villa are second in the table after they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield to maintain their recent hoodoo over the Mersysiders who have now won only one of their last six games at home to Saturday’s opponents.

Results:

Liverpool 0 – 1 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Burnley

Arsenal 2 – 2 Manchester City

Chelsea 4 – 2 Swansea City

Southampton 3 – 0 Newcastle United

Stoke City 0 – 1 Leicester City

Sunderland 2 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur

West Brom 0 – 2 Everton