Three goals in as many first-half minutes sealed the deal for Arsenal against previously in-form opponents.

Mesut Ozil began the scoring just after the half-hour, with a left-foot shot from Welbeck’s cross. Then England striker Welbeck headed in his first for the Gunners since his move from Manchester United, thanks to an Ozil cross, and an Aly Cissokho own goal made it 3-0 after only 36 minutes.

Papiss Cisse was the saviour for under-pressure Newcastle manager Alan Pardew with two second-half goals in a 2-2 draw at home to Hull.

The visitors’ Nikica Jelavic struck just after the break, and then Mohamed Diame made it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go. But substitute Cisse replied in the 73rd and 87th minutes to salvage a point after all for the Magpies.

Southampton are up to second after continuing their fine early-season form with a 1-0 win away to 10-man Swansea.

Swansea striker Wilfried Bony was sent off after two first-half bookings, and Victor Wanyama’s first goal for the Saints settled the outcome in the 80th minute.

Burnley and Sunderland took a point from their goalless stalemate at Turf Moor.

In the lunchtime kick-off, a late equaliser in each half earned QPR a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Stoke.

An 11th-minute header from Mame Birame Diouf and then Peter Crouch’s left-foot shot in the 51st put Stoke manager Mark Hughes on course for victory on his return to one of his former clubs.

But each time the hosts came up with a response, Steven Caulker heading them level three minutes before the break and then a Nico Kranjcar free-kick making it all square again with just two minutes left.