LONDON (AP):

Chelsea extended its Premier League lead with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Norwich, and defending champions Manchester City climbed to second place by comprehensively beating Sunderland 3-0 yesterday.

Chelsea fought back quickly after Grant Holt's opener for Norwich in the 11th minute, with Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard scoring before the break.

Branislav Ivanovic fired in a late fourth as Chelsea went four points ahead at the top of the league in their best start since the 2005-06 season.

City rose to second after goals from Aleksandar Kolarov, Sergio Aguero and James Milner.

Everton slipped to third after being held to a 2-2 draw by Wigan, while West Bromwich Albion maintained their strong start with a 3-2 victory over bottom-place Queens Park Rangers.

Swansea recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Reading, while Arsenal came from behind to beat hosts West Ham 3-1.

Chelsea's victory was overshadowed by the lingering fallout from John Terry's racism case, a year after he racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

Defender Ashley Cole inflamed the situation on Friday when he responded to criticism of his evidence in Terry's judgement by blasting the Football Association with an obscene Twitter posting. Chelsea are now set to fine Cole after launching disciplinary action over the tweet.

On the pitch, as Chelsea fans chanted support for Terry and Cole, the team fell behind when Grant Holt beat goalkeeper Petr Cech after 11 minutes.

Fernando Torres ensured the lead only lasted three minutes by heading in the equaliser, before Chelsea steamrollered the winless visitors with Frank Lampard volleying the leaders in front.

Juan Mata then ripped through the Norwich defence and slipped the ball through for Hazard to put Chelsea further ahead before half-time, while Branislav Ivanovic volleyed in a late fourth.

City dominate Sunderland

Earlier in the day, City were also rampant against Sunderland, but had only three goals to show for the dominance.

Aleksandar Kolarov scored from a free kick after five minutes at Etihad Stadium, substitute Sergio Aguero added a second on the hour, and James Milner blasted another dead ball into the net.

It was City's first game this season without conceding a goal.

"We are disappointed defensively this season but we are happy with the clean sheet," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "We are looking strong now, and since we have come back off the international break we have been playing well."

France striker Olivier Giroud scored his first Premier League goal as Arsenal beat West Ham 3-1.

After their unbeaten start to the season was ended by Chelsea last weekend, the Gunners showed great character at Upton Park to recover from conceding an early goal to Mohamed Diame.

Giroud, who joined in the offseason from Montpellier, netted from close range just before half-time. Substitute Theo Walcott put Arsenal in front after the break and Santi Cazorla later scored from 25 yards.