Daniel Sturridge was Liverpool's match-winner for the second successive weekend as they continued their strong start to the Premier League season by winning 1-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Just as he did against Stoke City last Saturday, the England international scored the only goal of the game to make it eight strikes in his last seven league appearances.
Jose Enrique's drilled pass from the left was dummied by Philippe Coutinho and Sturridge slipped between a pair of Villa defenders before rounding goalkeeper Brad Guzan and poking the ball into the roof of the net.
Villa's best chance of an equaliser fell to Christian Benteke late on, but the Belgian's well-struck half-volley drew a fine full-length save from Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
"Second half, of course you expect a wee bit more pressure from them, and Simon made a couple of terrific saves. It was about the three points today and we got the three," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports.
"Since January we've been getting better and better. We'll play better than we did today, but what's important now is that the mentality in the group is to win, and win together.
Elsewhere, Stoke came from behind to deny promoted Crystal Palace their first points of the season with a 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium.
Marouane Chamakh side-stepped Robert Huth to put Palace ahead in the 31st minute with his first league goal since September 2011, but two goals in four second-half minutes from Charlie Adam and Ryan Shawcross gave Stoke the points in manager Mark Hughes's first home game.
Hull City fared rather better than their fellow promoted side, with Robbie Brady's 22nd-minute penalty enough to secure a 1-0 win at home to Norwich City despite new signing Yannick Sagbo's first-half red card for an off-the-ball tussle with Russell Martin.
"The boy was silly -- it was a rush of blood," said Hull manager Steve Bruce.
"He's done something stupid, but we have got away with it today."
An 88th-minute goal from centre-back Jose Fonte earned Southampton a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland, who had taken a third-minute lead with a header from former Juventus midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez had to content himself with a 0-0 draw in his first competitive home game, as West Bromwich Albion claimed a point at Goodison Park in the absence of striker Nicolas Anelka, who is on compassionate leave following a personal bereavement.
"We had the chances to win the game, we deserved a win and we deserved three points. We were magnificent off the ball," said Martinez.
Newcastle United once again left Arsenal target Yohan Cabaye out of their squad as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to West Ham United.
