Robin van Persie struck a brilliant winner for the Gunners after 52 minutes.
Vito Mannone made several important saves as Fulham created a number of chances.
However, it was Arsenal who got the crucial breakthrough on 51 minutes through a fine finish from Dutch striker van Persie.
For an in-depth match report click here.
Dimitar Berbatov and John O'Shea struck in the second half to give United the win.
United were struggling to make their dominance pay until Ryan Giggs' introduction 10 minutes after the break.
The veteran Welshman provided a tap-in for Berbatov before O'Shea celebrated his 350th appearance by nodding home Giggs' curling free-kick.
For an in-depth match report, click here.
Liverpool ran out emphatic victors against Hull City at Anfield.
Reds striker Fernando Torres scored a brilliant hat-trick to blow away struggling Hull.
The Spain striker scored twice in the first half either side of Geovanni's equaliser and added a third soon after the interval.
Captain Steven Gerrard added a fourth just before the hour and substitute Ryan Babel had two late strikes as Liverpool made it four league wins - including 16 goals - in succession.
For an in-depth match report, click here.Gabriel Agbonlahor gave the visitors the lead after just three minutes but Chris Samba levelled on 24 minutes.
Vincenzo Grella was sent off for Rovers who nicked the three points a minute from time with a penalty by David Dunn.
For an in-depth match report, click here.
Keane has started every Barclays Premier League match this season and, despite Peter Crouch's midweek treble at Preston North End, he was given the nod again.
The Republic of Ireland striker scored from the penalty spot before splitting Burnley's defence in the build up to Jermaine Jenas' second.
Two cool finishes in the second half meant the 29-year-old was taking the ball home with him, before his fourth squeezed through the legs of goalkeeper Brian Jensen.
For an in-depth match report click here.
Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat as Chelsea manager with Wigan Athletic chalking up a shock Barclays Premier League victory at the DW Stadium.
After eight straight wins in all competitions the Italian manager saw his 10-man team come unstuck and have goalkeeper Petr Cech sent off.
Titus Bramble put Wigan ahead only for Didier Drogba to pull Chelsea level. The home side regained the lead through a penalty from Hugo Rodallega and Paul Scharner made it safe in stoppage-time.
For an in-depth match report click here.
Portsmouth suffered a seventh successive Barclays Premier League defeat as they were beaten by Everton.
Louis Saha scored the only goal of the match at Fratton Park three minutes before half-time to give the Merseysiders their first away points of the season.
The Frenchman brought down a long, high ball into the box - beating Younes Kaboul in the air - and pounced, directing a clinical finish past James.
Both sides had an effort cleared off the line in the second half with Pompey also hitting the bar with a header by Aaron Mokoena. Kevin-Prince Boateng was denied by Tim Howard's fine save in stoppage-time.
The home side piled on the pressure late on but could not prevent a Premier League record seventh straight reverse from the start of a campaign. It is only the fourth time in top-flight history that a side has opened with seven defeats.
For an in-depth match report, click here.
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The Merseysiders lost only two matches last season but often struggled to break down teams at home.
Seven draws against the likes of Stoke City, Fulham, West Ham United and Hull City ultimately cost Rafael Benitez's side their first Barclays Premier League title as they finished second, four points behind Manchester United.
Although they have already lost to Aston Villa at Anfield this campaign - their first home league defeat since December 2007 - they also swept aside both Stoke and Burnley 4-0.
And Kuyt feels that shows they have learned important lessons about playing against sides who arrive on Merseyside looking to frustrate.
"Apart from the Villa match, I think we have shown that we can beat any side at Anfield this season," said the Holland international.
"We had difficulties last season with all the draws but now we are able to score goals in the first half.
"It's really important to score as early as possible because then it will be more difficult for them and easier for us.
"We know the Barclays Premier League is one of the hardest leagues in the world and every team is good with some fine players."
Hull City return to Anfield on Saturday nine months after they shocked their hosts in taking a 2-0 lead inside 22 minutes before they were pegged back by two goals from Reds captain Steven Gerrard.
At the time the Tigers were enjoying a dream start to their maiden Premier League season but this time around their fortunes have changed dramatically, taking just four points from six matches.
Liverpool, by contrast have won three successive league fixtures and are on a five-match winning streak.
"I believe Hull are a good team as well but we have to look at our own strengths and we must believe we can beat them," added Kuyt.
"We must focus on ourselves and respect the opponent.
"We didn't start that well and have already lost twice. But we have now started to win a couple of games in a row and we want to keep that going, beginning with Hull."
Kuyt believes part of their success at home is down to the options summer signing Glen Johnson has provided.
The England defender, who moved from Portsmouth, has probably been the Merseysiders' best player so far, scoring twice and providing a much-needed cutting edge from right-back.
Johnson, 25, may yet have to win over critics who are sceptical about his defensive strengths but there are no doubts over his ability as an attacking force.
"I think Glen has done really well," Kuyt added.
"He was a big signing for us but he has shown straight from the start that he is very important - both defensively and in attack.
"He has scored some very good goals and provided some assists. He is probably one of the best players in the team so far this season.
"He is still young and I think he will only get better and better."
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will make his mind up over his future in December.
The 38-year-old is currently on the sidelines nursing a hand injury but admits that the time to call it a day is getting ever closer.
However Van der Sar performed admirably last season as the Red Devils claimed their third straight Premier League crown leaving many to suggest that the shot-stopper could continue for years to come.
With Ben Foster challenging the Dutchman for the number one jersey at Old Trafford, despite a somewhat shaky start to the season, Van der Sar may opt to hang up his gloves while he is still at the top of his game.
"I've said for a few years that it may be my last season," he said.
"Six months before my contract with Manchester United ended in December 2006, we extended for one year and so far it has been the same every time.
"I wait each season to see how or where I stand, if everyone is happy and if I can get motivated.
"But I know, because I always get older, it is increasingly likely that this will be my last season.
"In December, it will be clear how it goes. By then, I'll have clarity. It is a horrible dilemma."
The 18-year-old forward was part of a youthful Arsenal XI which saw off the challenge of 10-man West Bromwich Albion at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, opening his account for the senior team in the second half.
London-born Watt has come through the Gunners ranks, learning all he can from the likes of Henry, who left for Barcelona in 2007, as well as current attack-minded players like Robin van Persie and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin.After being an integral part of the successful 2008/2009 FA Youth Cup side last season, Watt has set his sights on an extended run in Wenger's young team, which last season reached the Carling Cup quarter-finals.
"I was here when Thierry was here, and although I did not get to play with him, I still asked him questions off the pitch when he was free about how it was and stuff like that," said Watt, who had been named on the bench for last week's Champions League Group H opener away to Standard Liege.
"Not many people get the chance to ask players like that, so I just took it as a good chance.
"I was not nervous because when we were growing up, our manager told us you can ask them questions.
"Thierry said: 'Be calm in front of goal and when the ball is moving, you don't have to keep making long runs. Make it short and sharp and just take it from there'."
Watt added: "There are a lot of players here I have watched like Henry, (Emmanuel) Adebayor, van Persie, Arshavin - there are many players here I look up to and I even ask questions, they tell me positioning and other things to help me keep learning."
With Wenger set to continue his policy of blooding youngsters in the Carling Cup, Watt hopes to be at the forefront of the Arsenal manager's mind.
"This is one of the times when you have to push on," said Watt, who started his football at the Senrab club in east London, which boasts the likes of England duo John Terry and Jermain Defoe among its former players.
"This is where the youngsters have the chance to show what they can do and you have to take the chance.
"There are many strikers here but as long as I show what I can do, that's the best you can do and there is nothing to worry about.
"As long as you keep doing well and give the manager no choice, he has to play you.
"I am getting used to it and going with the flow."
Peter Crouch made the most of only his third start of the season by claiming a clinical hat-trick to ease Tottenham Hotspur into the last 16 of the Carling Cup with a 5-1 win at Preston North End.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp made seven changes for the third-round tie and Crouch emerged as the prime beneficiary as his predatory strikes took his season tally to five.
He made the most of his recall in the 14th minute when he dispatched Gareth Bale's deep cross with a fine volley and Jermain Defoe effectively put Preston to bed with a predatory header seven minutes before half-time.
With 13 minutes remaining, Crouch tapped home Aaron Lennon's low cross to cap a fine night for Spurs, who were given several scares by Alan Irvine's high-flying Championship outfit.
Preston pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute through substitute Chris Brown, but Spurs substitute Robbie Keane added a fourth with three minutes remaining and Crouch cheekily completed his hat-trick in injury time.
Everton were barely extended as they cruised into the fourth round of the Carling Cup with an emphatic 4-0 defeat of under-strength Hull City.
The tie was effectively settled in the opening 24 minutes as the Toffees powered ahead at the KC Stadium with goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu, Jo and Dan Gosling.
David Moyes' men, finding their form after a poor start to the season, then eased off but took their goal tally to 11 in three matches as Leon Osman added a fourth after 57 minutes.
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole returned from his long-term knee injury to help defeat Queens Park Rangers 1-0.
The 27-year-old, named by manager Carlo Ancelotti as captain for the evening, was playing in his first match since January and set up Salomon Kalou's winner at Stamford Bridge.
Gabriel Agbonlahor ensured Aston Villa avoided more Carling Cup disappointment with his third-minute goal sufficient to overcome Cardiff City 1-0 at Villa Park.
Villa had crashed out of the competition to lower-league opposition in three of the previous four seasons.
But Agbonlahor continued his hot scoring streak after linking up with fellow striker John Carew to seal a spot in the fourth round.
Danny Welbeck struck the only goal of the match at Old Trafford as a youthful Manchester United side made light of Fabio's early red card to edge past Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0.
Fabio was given his marching orders on 29 minutes for a crude challenge on Michael Kightly and the visitors had their chances but United - for whom Michael Owen made his second start - held firm.
Manchester City captain Kolo Toure banished the club's derby blues by scoring the winner in extra-time at Eastlands to beat Fulham 2-1.
It was his first goal since he arrived from Arsenal in the summer and a welcome one at that.
City found it hard going against Fulham after losing in stoppage time against Manchester United on Sunday but Toure found the target in the 111th minute to take Mark Hughes' men into the last 16.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson named a completely different starting XI to the one that lost to Wolves in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday and the west Londoners opened the scoring with a wonder goal from Zoltan Gera, only for Gareth Barry to pull City level.
After spending in excess of £120m this summer, City have already proved their ability by winning four matches on the trot and running Manchester United so close at Old Trafford on Sunday has underlined their top four credentials.
But, ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup encounter with Fulham at Eastlands, the City chief knows either would allow his team to take the final step towards gatecrashing the game's elite.
"If you win trophies and have experience of winning trophies as a group of players and as a club, it helps you," he said.
"It shows you the qualities needed to overcome opposition and win things. We haven't got that yet. But if we can get into positions to win trophies it would allow us to go that final step."
The youngster turned in another fine performance as the Gunners defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 in the third round of the Carling Cup at the Emirates Stadium, writes Stewart Coggin.
He was also involved in the match's most controversial incident when Jerome Thomas was handed a straight red card for hitting out at Wilshere before half-time after the pair challenged for a ball.
Second-half goals from Sanchez Watt and Carlos Vela put the 10-man Baggies to the sword, but much of the post-match discussion centred around the lively Wilshere.
"I think he did very well, he looked lively and dangerous," said Wenger. "In a difficult part of the game he was dangerous, when it was very tight in the first half he looked to find openings.
"He was not scared, he has something it is very hard to give players, he gets the ball and takes people on, still sometimes there is a lack of experience in his decision making but there is something special there.
"I believe in the future he will be a central player but at the moment he needs education, playing wide left and wide right."
Wenger was happy to see his youthful side reach the fourth round, and praised the efforts of his players against a West Brom team leading the Championship.
"Overall it was a good game, it would have been a great game if it had strayed 11 against 11 but we were patient, played with cohesion, didn't make mistakes and in the end the natural outcome was there," he added.
Arsenal's young Gunners booked a place in round four of the Carling Cup with victory over 10-man West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
Sanchez Watt opened the scoring just after the hour as the Baggies were eventually undone following the first-half sending off of midfielder Jerome Thomas, who once played for Arsenal. Mexican striker Carlos Vela added a second from close range.
Barnsley advanced to the fourth round after edging a five-goal thriller against Burnley at Oakwell.
Jon Macken cancelled out Steven Fletcher's 22nd-minute strike just 30 seconds later, while Anderson De Silva's spectacular effort in the sixth minute of injury time gave the Tykes a half-time lead. Burnley fought back with a goal created by Fernando Guerrero and scored by Chris Eagles, but Hugo Colace scored a bullet header with 15 minutes remaining to settle the tie.
Portsmouth recovered from a difficult start to overcome Carlisle United 3-1.
Around 600 Portsmouth fans were rewarded for their 750-mile round trip to Brunton Park with a win, but nobody was more relieved at the final whistle than manager Paul Hart, who had seen his side go 1-0 down when Ian Harte put the League One side a goal up from the penalty spot after only two minutes.
It was Aaron Mokoena who gave away the penalty after hauling down Richard Offiong, but Pompey regained their composure quickly and strikes from Aruna Dindane, Danny Webber and Anthony Vanden Borre - all their first for the club - sealed a morale-boosting 3-1 victory.
David Ngog struck the only goal as Liverpool edged out a fired-up Leeds United side.
The Barclays Premier League giants were outplayed by the League One leaders for much of the third-round tie but Ngog netted against the run of play after 65 minutes. Leeds spurned a number of chances throughout the tie as Elland Road enjoyed a big-match atmosphere once again but their lack of composure in front of goal cost them.
Benni McCarthy's fortuitous free-kick ensured a successful return to Nottingham Forest for Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce as Rovers reached the fourth round with a slender 1-0 victory at the City Ground.
Allardyce, who managed Forest's city rivals Notts County between 1997 and 1999, guiding the Magpies to the old Third Division title by a staggering 19 points in his second season, saw his side score against the run of play in the 37th minute.
Martin Olsson had been brought down on the left side of the area. McCarthy's curling right-foot cross appeared to evade everyone in the box and nestle in the far corner beyond Paul Smith's desperate dive. It was harsh on the Championship club who created the better chances throughout and missed a second-half penalty when Jason Brown superbly saved Dexter Blackstock's kick.
Stoke City snatched a place in the fourth round after a remarkable 4-3 win over Blackpool. David Vaughan and Billy Clarke put the visitors 2-0 ahead but Stoke scored three times in five minutes to take the lead.
Ben Burgess drew Blackpool level just a minute later but Andy Griffin grabbed a last-minute winner to end a thrilling contest.
Jordan Henderson and Fraizer Campbell dumped Birmingham City out of the Carling Cup as Sunderland coasted into the fourth round.
Teenager Henderson scored his first senior goal for the club with just four minutes gone, and when Campbell matched his feat 19 minutes later, the match was effectively over. John Mensah had a second-half strike chalked off for a foul, but the Black Cats never looked back on a night when they were simply too strong for the visitors.
Defender Gary Cahill was the unlikely hero for Bolton Wanderers as he produced a stunning strike in extra time to help beat West Ham United 3-1 in their third round tie at the Reebok Stadium.
The centre-back drilled home from 25 yards just six minutes into the additional period to turn things around for the home side, with Johan Elmander sliding in a third very late on. Wanderers captain Kevin Davies had struck with a header just before the end of 90 minutes to cancel out Herita Ilunga's first goal for the club on the hour.
Arsenal 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Barnsley 3-2 Burnley
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 West Ham United (AET)
Carlisle United 1-3 Portsmouth
Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
Peterborough 2-0 Newcastle United
Scunthorpe 2-0 Port Vale (AET)
Stoke City 4-3 Blackpool
Sunderland 2-0 Birmingham City
Shorey had been lined up for a season-long switch to Fratton Park on transfer deadline day, but opted again at joining the Barclays Premier League's bottom club.
The defender was offered the chance to join Pompey after Villa manager Martin O'Neill added Stephen Warnock to his squad, shunting Shorey on to the bench.
However, Shorey does not regret rejecting Portsmouth and explained that a move to Fratton Park did not feel "right".
"The interest from Portsmouth came really late in the window," Shorey said ahead of Villa's match with Pompey on Saturday.
"I didn't have a lot of time to think about it and I decided it wasn't the right thing for me to do.
"I'd come off the back of a few good wins and I was in the team playing well, I thought. I made that decision and I'm happy with it.
"At the end of the day I didn't feel it was the right move for me and that's the bottom line.
"I have no hard feelings, they are nice people down there and I wish them all the best, but I'm a Villa player."
The Switzerland international spent last season on loan at AC Milan and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger admitted he could be prepared to sell the centre-half.
Everton held talks over a possible move for Senderos, but the transfer window closed with the 24-year-old still at Emirates Stadium.
Now fit again, Senderos is eager to prove to Wenger that he is capable of dislodging current partnership William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen.
"For a while the club and myself decided that maybe it was the best to separate, but then in the end the best thing was for me to stay," Senderos said.
"Playing for Milan was a great experience for me, I have learned a lot and hopefully I can show it when I am on the pitch.
"But I am delighted to be back at Arsenal, it was always my goal to stay at the club and hopefully I can give my best for the team.
"I want to get back into the team and play as many games as possible."
He added: "I think we have started the season pretty well with a very good win and then the last two (Premier League) games we have lost, but hopefully we can get back into winning again.
"I hope this team comes back and I am sure we have got the quality to do it."
The Reds travel to Upton Park on Saturday to face a West Ham United side against whom Gerrard scored twice last season in a convincing 3-0 win as Liverpool homed in on second spot in the Barclays Premier League.
He senses it is a lucky ground for Rafael Benitez's men, and says: "We got a really good win at West Ham last season, we were well organised and very dangerous on the counter-attack, and I am sure that will be the plan again at the weekend.
"The title race seems to be becoming a big six, and at the weekend we have the Manchester derby while Chelsea play Tottenham. So something will have to give.
"So hopefully we can get a good win at West Ham, concentrate on our own performance and pray the results will fall in our favour by the end of the weekend.
"We are slowly getting back to where we want to be with three wins on the spin and hopefully another at West Ham.
"The confidence is starting to come back into the squad now, losing those two early games (against Spurs and Aston Villa) close together was not good but we are building slowly back to the form we want.
"It takes a while to get back to your best, but we are happy with the reaction from everybody so now we aim to go and get a good win at West Ham on Saturday.
"It is still very early, but it was important that we recovered from that poor start. This is only the beginning for us.
"We have seen Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea start well, and some of the big teams without important players, so it is going to be an interesting fight this season."
Arsenal fought back from going 2-0 down inside five minutes to win their Group H match against Standard Liege in Belgium.
Eliaquim Mangala fired the hosts ahead before Milan Jovanovic netted from the penalty spot.
Arsenal, without goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and forward Robin van Persie, fought back through Nicklas Bendtner, with Thomas Vermaelen and Eduardo securing the victory.
Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal as Liverpool laboured to see off a determined Debrecen in Group E at Anfield.
The Holland striker stabbed home in first-half injury time after goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic half-saved Fernando Torres' shot.
Steven Gerrard flashed a volley over the crossbar midway through the second half but it was a frustrating night against the Hungarian champions, making their debut in the group stages.
The Blues ran out 1-0 winners against Portuguese side Porto in their opening Champions League group match on Tuesday night thanks to Anelka's strike early in the second half.
England international defender Terry was briefly knocked unconscious in the first half at Stamford Bridge before recovering to complete the 90 minutes.
"John is a warrior," said the Frenchman. "He can play when his leg is broken.
"He's our captain and wants to play every game. He gives us spirit to fight and we fight when we see him on the pitch."
Anelka believes it is a major boost for the Blues to have Joe Cole back from a long-term knee injury after the England midfielder was an unused substitute on Tuesday.
He said: "Joe was ready to play but I think the pitch was too heavy for him. He's going to train tomorrow and will be fully fit this weekend."
West Ham United have signed Mexico striker Guillermo Franco on a free transfer.
Franco claimed last week he was close to securing a move to Upton Park and the Hammers have now sealed the switch.
Franco was due to sign for South American champions Estudiantes earlier this month, but the move fell through allowing West Ham to snap him up.
The 32-year-old is believed to have signed a one-year deal at Upton Park after seeing out his contract at Villarreal earlier this summer.
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has been looking to bolster his attacking options all summer with Dean Ashton still on the sidelines and Franco will provide cover and competition in attack.
important stage
The Mexico international could go straight into the squad for this weekend's match at home to Liverpool and he is delighted to make the move to England.
"I am really happy to sign for West Ham. It was my dream to come to the Premier League and I am proud to play for a club that has so much history," Franco told the club's official website.
"This is a very important stage in my career and I hope to score lots of goals for the club this season and then play at the World Cup.
"This is an important team with great players and a great manager. I know that the club are very ambitious and want to do well. I want to do my best to make that happen and I am excited about the challenge.
"The main motivation was to play in the Premier League. I love English football and I love the Premier League.
"I had the possibility of joining Estudiantes and two Spanish clubs, but it was the Premier League that drew me here. I can fulfil my desire with West Ham and I am very happy to be here."
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All 20 Premier League members have agreed to adhere to a set of regulations designed to protect the viability and sustainability of the clubs.
These rules will be introduced to give the Premier League, the FA and UEFA the assurance that the clubs can complete competition commitments throughout a season.
All components of income and expenditure will be included in these assessments. These rules will be applied from this season onwards.
Clubs must submit independently audited accounts to the Premier League by 1st March each year with requirements to note any material qualifications or issues raised by auditors.
There will also be a requirement for clubs to submit future financial information to the Premier League by 31st March each year. This will act as an improved early warning system should any club take undue financial risks which may have consequences for future financial stability.
Clubs will also have to demonstrate to the Premier League Board that they do not have outstanding debts to other clubs.
And there will be an annual requirement to demonstrate to the Premier League Board that a club is not in debt with regard to income tax or National Insurance and payroll taxes.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "Clubs will all have to annually submit accounts and future financial information.
"At all times the board of the Premier League will be applying a test which basically says this: can the club fulfil its fixtures, pay off its creditors when they are due and also to meet obligations to the Premier League's contracts and partners?
"If the board believe a club is at risk of not meeting those obligations, it has to then step in and agree a budget for the running of that club. Any transfers could be embargoed.
"It's absolutely crucial that these clubs are run as ongoing viable concerns. These financial rules apply immediately.
"At our club meeting last week, the clubs absolutely endorsed our position of not linking expenditure to income."
These rules are to ensure that Premier League football clubs can meet their obligations throughout a season including being able to fulfil all fixtures; fulfil contractual obligations to the Premier League and demonstrate that they can meet all payments due during a season.
Any qualification raised in accounts or risk seen by the Premier League Board could result in action to help prevent a club from exposing itself to financial difficulties that may be deemed unsustainable or put at risk the future financial sustainability of a club.
Clubs that fall into such financial difficulty could be subject to financial controls relating to transfer activity and/or player salaries.
The 20 clubs have agreed the introduction of a home-grown player rule, which will take effect at the start of the 2010/11 campaign.
From next season, clubs must include eight home-grown players out of a squad of 25.
A home-grown player will be defined as one who, irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday (or the end of the Season during which he turns 21).
Clubs will be able to supplement their squads with unlimited additional players under the age of 21 on 1st January in the year in which the season commences.
Changes to the squad list of 25 may be made during the period of a transfer window.
Chief executive Richard Scudamore confirmed: "As of next season clubs will be required to have a squad named of up to 25 players, of which no more than 17 can be over the age of 21 and not home grown.
"The definition of home grown is trained for three years under the age of 21 by somebody in the English and Welsh professional system.
"Clubs will have to declare their 25 at the end of August when the window shuts and then again at the end of January."
Premier League Academies have 320 scholars aged between 16 and 18 and a further 2,486 students aged under 16.
Over 85 per cent of Academy scholars (16 - 18 years of age) are British, a proportion that rises to around 95 per cent for students (under 16 age groups).
Academic standards, as judged by Ofsted, are good and the welfare of the young people is of paramount importance to the Premier League and its clubs.
Scudamore believes the England team will ultimately reap the reward of the new ruling which he feels in unlikely to encourage clubs to hoard young overseas players.
"It's not in the club's interests to stockpile players. It will make buying home-grown talent more attractive," he said.
"We're not going down the route of a nationality test but what this will mean is that you just can't buy a team from abroad.
"We think it will give clubs an extra incentive to invest in youth. We think that one of the benefits will be that it will help the England team."
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has welcomed the Premier League's new rules on home-grown players as being good for the long-term health of football.
Sutcliffe said: "I welcome the Premier League's introduction of a home-grown player quota for squads and its implementation of strengthened financial reporting rules.
"These moves will encourage clubs to develop and bring through young talent and help ensure clubs are financially stable."
Tim Cahill had given the Merseysiders an interval lead, heading home just after the half hour mark from a left-wing free-kick by Leighton Baines.
However Paul Konchesky levelled on 57 minutes with a 20-yard shot which took a big deflection off Sylvain Distin after Danny Murphy's free-kick had been blocked.
Damien Duff snatched the winner 11 minutes from time with a sweetly-struck 20-yard drive after Phil Neville had earlier been stretchered off with a badly-gashed shin.
For an in-depth match report, click here.
Agbonlahor headed in a knock down from substitute John Carew six minutes from time for his third goal in the last four second city derby matches.
It was the first goal the Blues had conceded at St Andrew's this season and it was enough for Martin O'Neill's men to snatch a dramatic victory from a tense, tight affair, their third win in a row and their fifth in succession against their neighbours.
Villa did not have an effort on target until Steve Sidwell had a header saved on 74 minutes but they could have scored twice more in the closing stages as Agbonlahor and John Carew both broke clear but failed to take advantage.
For an in-depth match report, click here.
United were a goal down after a minute and reduced to 10 men but still recorded victory in a pulsating match at White Hart Lane that ended Tottenham's 100 per cent start to the Barclays Premier League season.
Jermain Defoe's acrobatic strike opened the scoring but United have a history of comebacks against Spurs - 5-2 last season and 5-3 eight years ago - and they levelled through Ryan Giggs' free-kick.
Anderson drilled home before the break, and despite playing the last half an hour without Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney sealed victory with a cool finish before the end.
Chelsea chalked up their fifth straight victory thanks to a goal in stoppage time from Florent Malouda.
He smashed the ball into the corner after it had been laid back to him by substitute Nicolas Anelka.
It was tough luck on Stoke, who had gone ahead through Abdoulaye Faye only for Didier Drogba to equalise in first-half stoppage time.
An in-depth match report will be available shortly.
Hull old boy Michael Turner returned to haunt his old side as Sunderland beat the Tigers.
Turner forced Kamil Zayatte to put through his own net in the 76th minute, but £10m striker Darren Bent had already done the bulk of the damage.
Bent converted a 13th-minute penalty and then made it 3-1 with 66 minutes gone after Andy Reid's 49th-minute strike.
The Tigers had briefly got themselves back into the game with Zayatte's 43rd-minute equaliser, but they were ultimately well beaten.
An in-depth match report will be available shortly.
Dirk Kuyt was also on target for the Reds.
A full match report will be available shortly.
Striker Hugo Rodallega's second goal of the season was enough for Wigan to beat the Hammers at the DW Stadium.
The Colombia striker pounced in the 55th minute to stab home Jason Koumas' blocked shot and end a run of three successive Barclays Premier League defeats.A full match report will be available shortly.
Emmanuel Adebayor headed home what proved to be the winner against his former club.
It was an amazing encounter which produced six goals and enough incident to keep Mark Hughes and Arsene Wenger occupied for a week.
A full match report will be available shortly.
El Hadji Diouf, Gael Givet and David Dunn scored, with Wolverhampton Wanderers' consolation coming from Stefan Maierhofer.
A full match report will be available shortly.
The Tottenham Hotspur pair have been rewarded for a flying start to the Barclays Premier League campaign which has brought four wins from four matches.
Spurs began the season in fine style, defeating Liverpool at White Hart Lane thanks to a Benoit Assou-Ekotto thunderbolt and Sebastien Bassong's second-half winner.
This was followed by a Jermain Defoe masterclass away at Hull City, where the England forward's hat-trick was the highlight of a comprehensive 5-1 triumph.
Defoe's scoring form continued as he grabbed the equaliser in the next match, away at West Ham United, with Redknapp's side sealing a come-from-behind victory through Aaron Lennon's late finish.
The north London club preserved their 100 per cent record in August in dramatic fashion, as a last-gasp Aaron Lennon winner saw off newly promoted Birmingham City 2-1. Peter Crouch's opener was cancelled out by a close-range Lee Bowyer effort before the diminutive winger's late clincher.
This is the first time that Defoe has won the award. He is the first Spurs recipient of the prize since forward pair Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov jointly scooped the honour in April 2007.
Redknapp is celebrating his sixth Barclays Manager of the Month honour, a total surpassed only by Sir Alex Ferguson (with 23) and Arsene Wenger (10).
The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.
England warmed up for Wednesday's crucial World Cup qualifier with Croatia by overcoming Slovenia 2-1 at Wembley thanks to goals from Frank Lampard and Jermain Defoe.
Chelsea star Lampard broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after 31 minutes when Bostjan Cesar was adjudged to have fouled Wayne Rooney.
Then substitute Defoe of Tottenham Hotspur made it five goals in his last three internationals after 63 minutes before Zlatan Ljubijankic scored a late consolation for Slovenia.
Goals from Scott Brown and Birmingham City striker James McFadden secured a crucial 2-0 victory against Macedonia to keep Scotland's World Cup play-off hopes alive.
A nervous first half ended goalless when Brown claimed his first international goal after the restart and McFadden ensured the victory late on ahead of another crunch match on Wednesday night against Holland.
Arsenal's Robin van Persie was on target for Holland as they beat Japan 3-0 in a home international friendly. Roman Pavlyuchenko of Tottenham netted twice from the spot in Russia's 3-0 World Cup Qualifying win over Liechtenstein.
The 24-year-old, a £5m signing from Marseille, will take over from Dean Whitehead as skipper following his departure for Stoke City, which was closely followed by that of stand-in Danny Collins, also to the Britannia Stadium.
Manager Steve Bruce said: "Some people might raise their eyebrows but he speaks the language perfectly well, he leads by example, he's a good age, he's got experience, he captains his country and he's captained his old club in Marseille.
"I think anybody who's watched him will understand why I have made him captain of the club."
Cana has made a big impact since his summer move to the Stadium of Light, forging a combative central midfield partnership with fellow newcomer Lee Cattermole.
The Dutchman was a free agent after leaving Glasgow Celtic at the end of last season and therefore could sign for the Tigers outside the transfer window.
Venegoor of Hesselink, 30, spent three years in Scotland after joining Celtic from PSV Eindhoven.
Hull chairman Paul Duffen claimed the Tigers had beaten some "big clubs" in Europe to his signing.
"I'm delighted we have beaten off all the competition to bring him to the KC Stadium," he said.
"We've definitely wanted an experienced, top-drawer striker who scores goals and Jan has scored prolifically in top leagues in Europe.
"It's what we need. We didn't score enough goals last season. Going forward we have a lot of new talent and Jan will play his part in using his experience to settle them down.
"'We've been looking at Jan since July and are really pleased we've turned his head.
"He's been looking at other big clubs in Europe but the Premier League is here he wants to come and play with us."
Hull manger Phil Brown will be relieved to have boosted the club's attacking options after missing out on a number of targets this summer.
Michael Owen, Daryl Murphy and Bobby Zamora all rejected the chance to move to the KC Stadium, leaving the Tigers' squad looking a little thin up front.
Brown did manage to recruit United States striker Jozy Altidore, however, on a season-long loan from Villarreal.
The Republic of Ireland captain has ended his nine-year spell with City by making a switch from Eastlands.
Dunne passed a medical and agreed personal terms on Tuesday.
Manager Martin O'Neill has been desperate to bolster his back four after captain Martin Laursen retired and Zat Knight was sold to Bolton. He said: "Richard Dunne is the kind of person we are looking for."
City manager Mark Hughes paid tribute to the defender who could face his old teammates when the Blues visit Villa Park on 5th October.
"Richard has been outstanding for Manchester City. He is the ultimate professional and has served the club magnificently. Winning the player of the year award for four consecutive years tells you everything about him. We all wish him well for his future career at Aston Villa," he said.
"It would have been difficult for Dunney to stay given his standing at the club and I understand that. I wasn't going to stand in his way. I could have tried to stop him going and said I wanted him as a squad player but out of respect for what he has done for City I wasn't going to do that.
"Not only has Richard performed exceptionally well for this club over the years but he has been a terrific ambassador and is an inspiring person who commands the respect of everyone. He has conducted himself in an impressive manner throughout my time here and way beyond that."
The Italy international was bought from Roma in the summer as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid.
But Aquilani is recovering from an ankle operation and it was announced when he joined the Reds that it could be eight weeks before he was ready for action.
Benitez, though, is pleased with the progress of the 25-year-old, who has a reputation for being susceptible to injury, as he has already started working in the gym.
"Alberto is improving," the Reds manager told the club's official website. "We were talking before about six to eight weeks and after a few weeks his ankle is much better but he will need time.
"He's in the swimming pool and in the gym and working with the physios but he's not jogging yet.
"We cannot put a date on things and it's important to just see how he progresses.
"We are checking on him regularly and he had a scan in the past week which showed he is much better.
"It's just a case of keeping an eye on him every day. When he does start to play everyone will see what a clever player he is."
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Chris Iwelumo, Michael Kightly and Kevin Foley have all missed the start to the Barclays Premier League campaign.
Ebanks-Blake and Iwelumo scored more than 50 goals between them last season and helped Wolverhampton Wanderers gain promotion back to the Barclays Premier League.
They have been sidelined at the start of the current campaign with hamstring and metatarsal setbacks respectively - with Kightly (metatarsal) and last season's Player Of The Year Foley (knee) also out of action.
But McCarthy is confident the quartet may be able to return to training after the international break.
He said: "We've got 40-50 goals in Chris Iwelumo and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake sat on the physio's table.
"We've got 10 goals a season from Michael Kightly sat on the physio's table. To have Chris and Sylvan missing, with all the goals they scored, is a real frustration.
"Ebanks-Blake will be another couple of weeks, Iwelumo might be training when everyone comes back from the internationals, Kightly might be training with the squad after the break and the same with Foley. There is every chance of that.
"I would like all my squad back fit. That would make a big difference."
McCarthy confirmed that defender Stephen Ward will be out of action for two to three weeks. He has undergone a knee operation.
Nugent, 24, brings to Turf Moor a track record as a proven goalscorer, as well as valuable top-flight experience, to increase the striking options in Owen Coyle's squad.
The Clarets manager said: "We are delighted to have got a player of David's stature.
"Portsmouth paid £6m for him and I think we would recognise that it has been a bit stop-start for him and he wants to get his career up and running again.
"We have not had an abundance of strikers, so we have always been in the market and been looking to bolster that department
"We have got someone with a fantastic pedigree and I am sure he will be a tremendous acquisition for the squad.
"He also had two other options from Premier League clubs and came to Burnley, so we are delighted about that."
Liverpool-born Nugent, who has been capped once by England, started his career at Bury and scored 20 goals in just over 100 appearances for the Shakers after coming through the youth system at Gigg Lane.
His pace and eye for goal attracted widespread attention from higher divisions and in January, 2005 he moved to Deepdale for a fee of £100,000.
A massive favourite at Preston, Nugent scored 37 times in a little over 100 appearances and helped North End to the Championship play-offs in 2005 and 2006.
Capped 14 times at England under-21 level, with four goals to his name, Nugent's form for Preston also earned him a call-up by Steve McClaren to the senior squad, making him the first outfield player since Sunderland's Michael Gray in 1999 to be selected for England from outside the top flight.
His England debut came in a European Championship qualifier in March, 2007 when he scored as a substitute against Andorra.
Nugent's status as one of the top marksmen outside the Premier League placed him in great demand. Sunderland and Portsmouth both had bids of £6m accepted by Preston and Nugent opted to move to Fratton Park in July, 2007.
His two-year stay on the south coast has not always been plain sailing but, despite being linked with moves to a number of other clubs, Nugent remained an important member of Pompey's first-team squad and weighed in with half-dozen goals, including the winner at Turf Moor in a Carling Cup tie in September, 2007.
Nugent claimed an FA Cup winners' medal in 2008 when he came off the bench to help Harry Redknapp's side beat Cardiff City in the final at Wembley before returning north to join Burnley just before the transfer window closed.The 29-year-old Finnish international midfielder arrived at St. Andrews from the Stadium of Light just ahead of the transfer deadline.
Tainio, who has been capped 46 times by his country, joined the Black Cats from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2008.
He has made 23 appearances for Sunderland and scored the first goal in their recent 4-1 Carling Cup win over Norwich City.
The central midfielder signed a deal at White Hart Lane when he left Auxerre in July 2005 and went on to play 83 times for Spurs.
Tainio began his career playing for TP-47 and then FC Haka in his homeland before joining Auxerre in 1997.
He made 150 appearances for the French club, playing his part in guiding them into the Champions League in 2002 and lifting the French Cup in 2003.
Tainio is currently away with the Finland squad, who play World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan on Saturday and Liechtenstein next Wednesday. The Finns currently sit in third place in group four, behind Germany and Russia.
The 25-year-old centre-back has joined for a reported fee of around £3m and is in line for a possible Barclays Premier League debut at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 12th September.
Manager Paul Hart, himself a centre-half during his playing days, is confident Williamson has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Hart told the official club website: "He's a young, hungry centre-half, a big lad who's uncompromising and does the basics first.
"We've watched him play and he's shown great promise which hopefully he will build on under our guidance.
"We were a centre-half short before Sylvain Distain left but now we have Tal Ben-Haim and Mike Williamson.
"We signed Ben-Haim to fill a role and Mike has come here to prove himself as a front-line player."
Williamson began his career at Torquay United making six appearances for the Gulls before joining Pompey's south coast rivals Southampton for £100,000 in 2001.
Williamson struggled to break into the first-team with Saints who were then in the Premier League. He had loan spells back at Torquay and with Doncaster Rovers and then Wycombe Wanderers whom he joined permanently on a free transfer in May 2005.
It was at Adams Park that Williamson began to flourish, establishing himself as a force in the centre of their defence.
He made 144 appearances and scored 11 goals with the Chairboys before swtiching to Watford in January 2009. He netted three goals in 23 appearances for the Hornets before being snapped up by Portsmouth.
However Hart has just missed out on Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey whose proposed loan switch to Fratton Park fell through.
The 25-year-old makes the move on deadline day to bolster Spurs' midfield.
Kranjcar joins Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch as players Spurs have signed from Pompey since January, as the team Redknapp built at Fratton Park gets dismantled.
"I'm really delighted. I signed Niko for Portsmouth. He's a fantastic player," said Spurs manager Redknapp.
"I've already got two fantastic Croatian players - (Luka) Modric and Vedran Corluka - who can help him settle in."
Kranjcar should provide immediate cover for Modric, who fractured a bone in his leg against Birmingham City on Saturday.
Defender Ben Haim joins on a four-year deal from Manchester City subject to a work permit, while midfielder Yebda, 25, moves from Benfica on a season-long loan.
Ben Haim, 27, told the club's official website: "I'm very happy to be here at Pompey. It's a big challenge...but I'm ready for it.
"I want to help Pompey get some good results and take them to the position they belong.
"I've come here to give 100 per cent in each game and no less. I'm sure that's the same for all the lads."
Yebda joined Benfica from Le Mans last summer and established himself as a regular squad member under Quique Sanchez Flores last term.
The 25-year-old former France youth international has a contract with the Lisbon club until 2012.
The 29-year-old, who was Sunderland's player-of-the-year in the past two seasons, joins for £2.75m in a deal that could eventually rise to £3.5m.
Collins has been in talks with the Potters for the past few days and his move has now gone ahead as expected after he passed a medical and signed his contract on Tuesday morning.
"All this has happened so quickly because only a few weeks ago I was captaining the Sunderland side in their pre-season friendlies," said Collins.
"But Steve Bruce made it clear he was going to bring in new faces and couldn't guarantee me a place.
"I thought it was a good time to move on and seek a fresh challenge.
"In many respects, the two clubs are alike in that they have big ambitions to finish in the top half of the table this season.
"I will have some familiar faces around me with so many ex-Sunderland players already here. Why, the club even plays in red and white stripes as well."
