Champions Manchester City returned to the top of the English Premier League, for a few hours at least, despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Everton on Saturday.

Carlos Tevez’s penalty late in the first half sealed a point for City, taking them above Manchester United on goal difference.

United were due to play at Reading in the day’s late match.

Chelsea missed the chance to close the gap on the top two as they were beaten 3-1 at West Ham, leaving them still winless under new manager Rafael Benitez.

City fell behind to a Marouane Fellani goal on 33 minutes but Tevez levelled from the penalty spot after Fellaini had fouled Edin Dzeko.

The home side went in search of a winner but Everton held firm to clinch a well-earned point, leaving them in sixth place.

Juan Mata put Chelsea ahead in the first half at West Ham but Carlton Cole headed the equaliser and goals from Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga secured victory for the home side.

Benitez rued a series of near misses for the European Champions.

“(We need) to win, it’s simple,” he said. “In the first half we just had to score more goals. We have to improve.

“In the first half we had two or three chances – we just need to score more goals.”

Chelsea remain third but seven points behind City and United while West Ham are eighth, just ahead of Swansea City, who pulled off a surprise 2-0 win at Arsenal.

The match looked headed for a goalless draw until two minutes from the end of normal time when Miguel Michu scored twice in three minutes to pinch three points.

Tottenham moved up to fourth spot with a strong second-half display as they won 3-0 at Fulham, though a hamstring injury to Gareth Bale could prove costly.

Liverpool earned a much-needed win as they beat Southampton 1-0 at Anfield thanks to a Daniel Agger goal, moving them to 11th, within two points of Arsenal.

Stoke City won 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion to leapfrog Arsenal into ninth while QPR remain bottom after battling to a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.