Take Zat as Chelsea dip

Defender Knight, a 3.5million capture from Fulham last week and born within a stone’s throw of Villa Park, headed home the opener before Gabriel Agbonlahor compounded Mourinho’s misery with a late second.

A beaming Knight, whose goal helped end Chelsea’s unbeaten league run stretching back to January, said: “It’s a dream come true. I’m almost lost for words, but it’s great to score a goal on my debut. I’ve all my family and friends here, so I’m glad to get the win.”

Liverpool are top for the first time in five years following a 6-0 thumping of rock-bottom Derby, their biggest win at Anfield since 1999.

Arsenal are second after a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium, with Emmanuel Adebayor (penalty), Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky all on target.

Despite the takeover speculation surrounding the club, Fabregas maintains there is focus and togetherness among the players. “The most important thing is we have unity, and defensively we are much better and we know we can score goals,” he said.

The Gunners are all that separate Liverpool from Everton, and a potential Merseyside one-two after the Toffees beat Bolton 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium.

Joleon Lescott headed the 89th-minute winner after Nicolas Anelka had volleyed in an equaliser to cancel out a debut goal from Ayegbeni Yakubu.