Tevez inspires City win at QPR

LONDON (AP):

A rejuvenated Carlos Tevez inspired Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers yesterday, moving the defending champions to within two points of early pacesetters Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Tevez spent the bulk of last season on strike, but has settled his differences with the club and is now back to his best form, scoring for the fourth straight game this campaign and his 50th in the league for City.

The Argentina forward also set up the other two goals, by Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko, as the team joined surprise packages West Bromwich Albion and Swansea on seven points from three games.

The misery continues, however, for Tottenham and their manager Andre Villas-Boas, who is still searching for the first league win at his new club after a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Norwich.

The Portuguese coach was hoping to repair his reputation at White Hart Lane after being fired by Chelsea after just eight months last season, but Robert Snodgrass' 85th-minute equaliser leaves Spurs with just two points from three matches.

Fans frustrated

After Tottenham was booed off at the final whistle, Villas-Boas said: "I understand why the fans are frustrated ... we will repay their faith. It is only our third game, so it may take some patience."

Swansea missed the chance to climb to the summit above Chelsea by drawing 2-2 with Sunderland, needing Michu's fourth goal of the season to salvage a point.

West Bromwich Albion beat Everton 2-0 to go third on goal difference behind Swansea and ahead of City, while West Ham eased past Fulham 3-0 following an encouraging debut from Andy Carroll after his loan move from Liverpool.

Wigan drew 2-2 with Stoke in the other game.

After a 2-1 loss at Newcastle and a home draw with West Brom, Villas-Boas would have been hoping for much more against Norwich, which had conceded five goals in their only other away game this season - at Fulham.

However, Mousa Dembele's 68th-minute goal - a fine effort from the edge of the area on his debut after a 15 million pounds ($23.8 million) move from Fulham - came slightly against the run of play. And Norwich deserved the point earned by Snodgrass' low finish into the corner.

Tottenham finished the game with 10 men after substitute Tom Huddlestone's harsh late sending-off for a tackle on Jonny Howson.

Swansea, managed by Denmark great Michael Laudrup, dropped points for the first time this season, but stayed unbeaten thanks to Michu's header in the 66th.

Steven Fletcher, making his first start for Sunderland since his 12 million pound ($19 million) move from Wolverhampton Wanderers, had twice given the visitors the lead just before half-time.

West Brom is the other surprise name near the top of the standings after Shane Long and Gareth McAuley scored second-half goals to overcome Everton.

It's been a great start to managerial life for Steve Clarke, who has made his name as an assistant coach at clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool.

Carroll, hoping to revive his career at West Ham after it stalled at Liverpool following a 35 million pound (then $56 million) move, didn't score against Fulham but he helped set up Kevin Nolan's opener after 53 seconds and was a handful all day for the visiting defence before going off with a hamstring problem in the second half.

Winston Reid and Matt Taylor were West Ham's other scorers in the second half as Fulham began life without Dembele and Dempsey with a resounding loss.