Derby honours had been shared as Chelsea had been held to an entertaining goalless draw by Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Fernandez made his Chelsea debut following his club-record arrival on Deadline Day, whereas Mykhailo Mudryk began for the primary time.
Either side had possibilities within the opening 45 minutes, with Kepa Arrizabalaga making a fingertip save to disclaim Fulham’s Andreas Pereira.
On the different finish Kai Havertz virtually put Chelsea forward simply earlier than the break, however his lofted effort clipped the woodwork.
New signing Noni Madueke changed Mudryk for the second half, and in so doing turned the thirty first participant utilized by Graham Potter’s facet within the Premier League this season, their most in a marketing campaign since 1996/97.
Aleksandar Mitrovic got here shut with an audacious lob from the midway line, whereas Chelsea pushed arduous for a late breakthrough.
Fernandez virtually marked his first look with a purpose as his 30-yard strike swerved inches extensive, whereas substitute David Fofana was denied a debut purpose by Tim Ream’s goalline clearance.
The draw strikes each Chelsea up one place to ninth on 30 factors, two behind Fulham in sixth spot.
Can Dyche get off to successful begin?
The primary of seven Saturday fixtures start with Everton, led by new supervisor Sean Dyche, taking up leaders Arsenal.
Dyche, whose appointment at Nineteenth-placed Everton, was confirmed on Monday, will take coronary heart from his current file in opposition to the Gunners.
The previous Burnley supervisor has misplaced solely one in all his earlier 5 Premier League encounters in opposition to Mikel Arteta’s facet.
An away win, nonetheless, would take Arsenal eight factors away from reigning champions Manchester Metropolis, who face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Prime-four battle hots up
The highest-four battle continues with each Newcastle United and Manchester United seeking to keep inside touching distance of the highest.
Third-placed Newcastle host a West Ham United facet hovering one level above the drop zone, whereas Man Utd, in fourth, face Crystal Palace at Outdated Trafford.
There are Midlands derby honours at stake when Aston Villa welcome Leicester Metropolis, whereas victory for Brighton & Hove Albion in opposition to AFC Bournemouth would transfer the Seagulls to inside two factors of Spurs in fifth.
Elsewhere, backside membership Southampton face a troublesome journey to Brentford, who’re unbeaten in eight Premier League matches, and Liverpool journey to Wolverhampton Wanderers.