LONDON (Reuters) - Champions Chelsea hit the top for the first time this season when a second-half Frank Lampard double earned them a 2-0 victory at local rivals Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Lampard struck from the penalty spot after 73 minutes and scored again seven minutes later to make up for Chelsea's defeat at Fulham last season.

Their chief title challengers also hit form, with Liverpool trouncing Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Anfield to move into the top six and Arsenal beating Sheffield United 3-0, their first league victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea's fourth win in a row takes them to 15 points from six matches, two ahead of surprise early pace-setters Portsmouth who entertain Bolton Wanderers on Monday.

Manchester United can join Chelsea on 15 points if they win at Reading in Saturday's late kickoff.

Martin O'Neill's much-improved Aston Villa climbed to fourth place with a 2-0 home victory over Charlton Athletic while there were also wins for Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.