Manchester United's fans can lay claim to being the loudest in the Premier League, although Jose Mourinho's criticism spurred the Chelsea faithful on to give them a real run for their money this weekend.

Ever since Mourinho lamented the lack of atmosphere at Stamford Bridge after a 2-1 win over QPR three weeks ago, Press Association Sport has been recording the decibel levels at all the top-flight games.

We armed our reporters with the smartphone 'Sound Meter' app for all games in the last two rounds of Premier League action, which we used to measure the decibel level from the kick-off to the one-minute mark.

While this experiment can in no way be considered scientific and should be viewed as nothing more than a guide, the conditions it was used in at least gives equality to all 20 clubs in the division.

Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Show all 24 1 /24 Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Wojciech Szczesny Didn’t have to make a save before he was beaten by a delfection of his own defender having clumsily punched away – not in the same class as the likes of De Gea and Courtois. 5/10 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Calum Chambers Another strong performance from the full-back who at the moment is appearing to be a far better value signing than his injury-prone former Southampton teammate, Luke Shaw – made a vital challenge to foil Rooney in the first half. 7 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Per Mertesacker Wasn’t asked to do a lot of defending – made some solid headed clearances as you’d expect from him. 5 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Nacho Monreal Rarely called into action and powerless to keep out Rooney as United overran Arsenal at the end. 5 GETTY IMAGES Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Kieran Gibbs Despite his own goal he was one of Arsenal’s better performers on the day as he has been for much of the season. 7 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Mikel Arteta A strong influence on the game as Arsenal dominated the first half but failed to maintain that high level after the break. 6 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Jack Wilshere – Spurned a great opportunity to give his side the lead and was then fortunate to stay on the pitch after an altercation with Fellaini before going off injured early in the second half – a real mixed bag. 6 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Aaron Ramsey On his 200th appearance for the club he failed to produce the incredible form we saw from him last season as he was outshone by his teammates. 5 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain He seems to do so many things very well – he was a constant menace to the opposition whether it was his passing or direct running with the ball – the best player on the pitch. 8 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Alexis Sanchez So often the man to dig Arsenal out of trouble this season but it wasn’t his day – put in his usual effort but couldn’t find the end product on this occasion. 6 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Danny Welbeck Wasted a good opportunity early on but linked the play extremely well throughout and caused the inexperienced United backline a lot of problems – has to be more ruthless in front of goal. 6 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings From the bench: Olivier Giroud A positive for Arsenal fans to take from a pretty miserable day – the Frenchman marked his return from injury with a thumping strike into De Gea’s top corner. 7 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings David De Gea Kept United in the game throughout and made world-class saves from Welbeck and Wilshere, but will be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post by Giroud. 8/10 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Chris Smalling As the senior centre-back, much of the responsibility for United’s frailty must rest with him, but he reacted well to deny Welbeck with the score at 1-0. 6 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Paddy McNair Arsenal’s movement and quick passing exposed the young centre-back repeatedly in the first half. 5 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Tyler Blackett Failed to cope with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s darting first-half runs, but made a timely clearance in the second half to preserve United’s lead. 6 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Antonio Valencia Arsenal’s pressure meant he struggled to impose himself on the game from his right wing-back role, but it was his low strike that was deflected in by Gibbs for United’s opener. 6 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Luke Shaw Limped off with an injury after 15 minutes. 5 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Marouane Fellaini Apart from his flashpoint with Wilshere made little impact as United struggled to control the midfield. 5 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Michael Carrick Didn’t provide his usual calming influence on the ball as United conceded the majority of possession to the hosts. 5 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Angel Di Maria Provided United’s only threat in the first half but faded in the second, although his pass for Rooney’s goal was perfectly weighted. 7 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Wayne Rooney Worked hard for the team in a deep-lying role without creating much, but took his goal brilliantly. 7 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings Robin van Persie Was utterly anonymous against his former club, and was replaced by James Wilson. 5 Getty Images Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 - player ratings From the bench: Ashley Young Posed a real threat down the left after coming on for Shaw, particularly in the second half. His cross led to the first goal. 7 Getty Images

When it was first used a fortnight ago, United's fans rid themselves of the prawn-sandwich-eating tag they have in some quarters to record a level of 84 decibels against Crystal Palace - a comfortable high for that weekend.

Chelsea's fans went close to matching it against West Brom on Saturday, with those at Stamford Bridge returning a score of 83 decibels and answering Mourinho's call.

The Portuguese was apologetic for his comments afterwards, but they undoubtedly did the trick, with the club's on-field announcer asking for noise and getting it.

"It improved a lot, a lot. You know the answer - there is no comparison," Mourinho said.

"I don't want to speak again about it, for good and for bad, because they pay me to coach.

"They pay me to win matches, they don't pay me to be critical of the crowd so I feel sorry for my comments a couple of weeks ago. But the reality is there today, the difference was amazing."

Fans arrive at the Emirates Stadium ahead of Arsenal v Manchester United (Getty Images)

The reading failed to match United's, but was as close as could be and there were three other readings of 83 this weekend.

Chelsea - whose first reading was 77 decibels, away to Liverpool - were joint third on 160, tied with Palace. Manchester City, United's so-called "noisy neighbours", could only manage a combined score of 157.

At the bottom of the sound table, West Ham achieved the lowest overall score of 152, just behind Liverpool on 153.

Below are the full readings for this weekend, with accompanying comments from the reporters. Aston Villa and Southampton play on Monday to complete the test.

Hull v Tottenham (Attendance 23,561)

Decibel level 83: "The meter peaked at 83 moments after kick-of before a delayed throw-in saw it dip to 78. Things levelled out at 80 after that" - Rory Dollard.

Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Attendance 24,862)

Decibel level 76: "Palace fans were quick to get behind their team but it was the Liverpool fans celebrating the opening goal just after the end of the opening-minute test" - Mark Bryans.

Chelsea v West Brom (Attendance 41,600)

Decibel level 83: "There was a good atmosphere as players made their way out to the pitch before kick-off and despite nothing of note occurring in the opening minute of the match, the meter reached a high of 83dB on several occasions. It did not dip below 75dB" - Simon Peach.

Stoke v Burnley (27,018)

Decibel level 83: "No chances in first minute, but both sets of fans in decent voice" - Phil Medlicott.

Arsenal v Manchester United (60,074)

Decibel level 83: "No action on the pitch but both sets of fans were loud, knowing how much the result of this game could turn their respective seasons around" - Jim van Wijk.

Man City v Swansea (45,448)

Decibel level 81: "It was an uneventful opening minute with both sides having spells of possession in the Swansea half; visiting goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had a couple of touches under no pressure" - Andy Hampson.

Newcastle v QPR (51,915)

Decibel level 80: "It was a low-key start to the game with the only excitement a Daryl Janmaat long ball towards Ayoze Perez" - Damian Spellman.

Everton v West Ham (39,182)

Decibel level 78: "The peak came when Kevin Mirallas looked like he had broken through only to be flagged offside. Most of the singing came from the full section of away fans on opposite side of ground" - Carl Markham.

Leicester v Sunderland (31,825)