A 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium knocked the Gunners off the top of the Barclays Premier League and ended an unbeaten home run stretching back 17 months.

The Londoners were not at their best but looked on course for victory after a Paul McShane own goal in the 51st minute.

Yet Hull responded with a stunning equaliser from Geovanni 11 minutes later and Daniel Cousin headed the promoted Tigers into dreamland with the winner after 66 minutes.

Wenger said: "The commitment was on the high side but we weren't completely switched on to the level you need to be to win the game.

"Human beings are not machines. Perhaps subconsciously we thought we would make it. After we went 1-0 up, we were a bit careless in not pushing on to score the second goal.

"We don't know how costly it could be but they were committed and it was a good lesson for us. We now know that if our attitude isn't right, we can lose games."

Hull's win maintained their brilliant start to life in the top flight and kept them within three points of leaders Chelsea and Liverpool.

Phil Brown's men had been given little chance before kick-off but the manager insisted he always felt they had a chance.

"We picked a team to come here and cause them problems," Brown said. "We have a drive, an endeavour and a belief that we can come to places and get a result.

"I was disappointed with our display in the first half when we came off at 0-0 because I wanted to win. To say I was harsh in my criticism would be an understatement."

Chelsea took top spot after seeing off spirited Stoke 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium with goals from Jose Bosingwa and Nicolas Anelka.

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted the Potters made life difficult and was pleased to come away with the win.

"It is impossible to play beautiful football all the time and it was difficult against Stoke," the Brazilian said.

Fernando Torres made a welcome return to goalscoring form as Liverpool kept pace with Chelsea with a 2-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Torres lit up a stop-start affair at Goodison Park with two superb finishes in the second half, his first goals since the opening day of the season.

"I have been working very hard and knew the goals would come," said the Spaniard.

It was Everton's third consecutive home defeat and boss David Moyes admitted form was a concern.

"Our start does worry me," the Scot said. "Sometimes you cannot find the winning formula, so it is my job to sort things out."

Manchester United benefited from a controversial penalty decision as they laboured to a 2-0 win over Bolton at Old Trafford.

Bolton boss Gary Megson accused referee Rob Styles of making "an absolute howler" in pointing to the spot after an apparently clean tackle from Jlloyd Samuel on Cristiano Ronaldo on the hour.

Ronaldo stepped up to score and Wayne Rooney came off the bench to complete the win on 77 minutes.

"It was an absolute nonsense," said Megson. "I don't think anyone in the ground thought it was an actual penalty."

Beleaguered Newcastle crashed to a fifth successive defeat as they went down 2-1 to Blackburn at St James' Park.

With new interim boss Joe Kinnear watching from the stands, Newcastle fell behind to a Christopher Samba header and Roque Santa Cruz doubled the advantage.

Michael Owen pulled one back with a penalty as the Magpies rallied but it was not enough and defeat left them with just four points from six games.

"We need to focus on playing football, it's as simple as that," said Kinnear, urging the players to try to put the club's off-field turmoil out of their minds.

Goals from Ashley Young and John Carew saw Aston Villa come from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 at Villa Park after an early goal from Djibril Cisse.

Carlton Cole and Matthew Etherington helped West Ham to a 2-1 win at Fulham, who had Andy Johnson sent off. Danny Murphy claimed Fulham's goal from the penalty spot.

Jonas Olsson's scrappy second-half strike was enough for West Brom to triumph 1-0 at Middlesbrough.