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London's Arsenal team, currently in second place, let slip a victory practically in their hands, drawing 1-1 away with Sunderland.
The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute with a bizarre goal - defender Anton Ferdinand attempted to clear the ball but ended up hitting Cesc Fabregas, who was trying to block him, in the foot. Despite being over 30 meters from the goal, the ball went up in the air and flew into the net.
In the second half, Arsenal were down to ten men after Alex Song was sent off for two yellow cards. Despite this, the London team had a perfect opportunity to double their lead, but Tomas Rosicky missed a penalty awarded by the referee.
Sunderland's players fought fiercely and managed to equalize during added time when Darren Bent scored from close range.
London's West Ham team earned their first point of the new season, drawing 1-1 away with Stoke.
Scott Parker scored for the visitors just over half an hour into the game, but Kenwyne Jones equalized for Stoke soon after halftime.
Later, Jones' shot was saved by goalkeeper Robert Green, who also pushed the ball onto the crossbar. Stoke's Robert Huth and Ricardo Fuller also shook the goal frame with their attempts.
On the other side of the field, Frederic Piquionne and Manuel da Costa came closest to scoring, with their efforts blocked by Thomas Sorensen.
It is worth noting that West Ham's head coach Avram Grant did not manage the team in this match, as this day was Yom Kippur, a Jewish religious holiday.
