Liverpool beat Southampton to secure an 11th successive top-flight victory and equal their best-ever Premier League winning run – despite a late blunder by goalkeeper Adrian. The victory saw the Reds galloping to the top of the table, closely followed by Arsenal, who also recorded a second straight victory earlier in the afternoon. Champions Manchester City, who woke up today as table toppers, however, dropped to the third position after sharing points with hard-fighting visitors Tottenham Hotspurs.

With the European champions Liverpool leading 2-0, their number two keeper – starting in place of the injured Alisson – cleared the ball against the shin of substitute Danny Ings to gift the Saints striker a goal against his former club.

Sadio Mane had given visitors the lead at the end of the first-half with a delicious arrowed finish from the edge of the penalty area after Saints had gone close on three occasions.

Adrian, who was passed fit despite an ankle injury in a collision with a pitch invader following the Uefa Super Cup win over Chelsea, had kept out Maya Yoshida’s header while Che Adams spurned two chances to equalise.

Mane turned provider to set up Roberto Firmino to double Liverpool’s advantage with a clever finish and that proved to be crucial given Adrian’s mistake in the closing stages.

At the Emirates, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner as Arsenal defeated Burnley to record successive victories at the start of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 2009.

French striker Alexandre Lacazette marked his return from injury as he impressively held off Erik Pieters and shot between the legs of goalkeeper Nick Pope to put the Gunners ahead after 13 minutes.

Ashley Barnes levelled the match two minutes before half-time, converting at close range from Dwight McNeil’s deflected pass for his third goal in two matches.

The hosts, who handed full debuts to £8m defender David Luiz and Real Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos, saw an immediate response ruled out for offside after Reiss Nelson appeared to have completed a slick passing move with a confident finish into the roof of the net.

But the impressive 23-year-old Ceballos recovered possession to set up Aubameyang for a powerful, low finish with 64 minutes played.

At the Etihad, Gabriel Jesus had an injury-time goal ruled out by VAR as Manchester City dropped points at home for the first time since December 2018 with a 2-2 draw against Tottenham.

Raheem Sterling headed City ahead in the first half, but Erik Lamela swiftly equalised from distance.

Sergio Aguero flicked home before Lucas Moura nodded in soon after coming on.

Jesus then swept home in injury time, but it was ruled out for a handball by Aymeric Laporte.

It was a frustrating result for Manchester City in their first home game of the season, particularly after beginning their title defence with a 5-0 win at West Ham last weekend.

The home fans greeted the final whistle with boos directed at VAR as the disallowed goal stirred memories of City's Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Tottenham last season.

•Largely based on BBC reports.