SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Often in running back Frank Gore’s career, the San Francisco 49ers go as far as he carries them.

Gore provided another example Sunday of his importance to the team, rushing for 119 yards on 24 carries and catching a 55-yard touchdown pass in the 49ers’ 26-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Levi’s Stadium.

Gore’s big day came a week after he carried only six times for 10 yards in a 23-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

“It’s who we are, and I’m happy to be back to that,” 49ers offensive guard Alex Boone said of San Francisco re-establishing the ground game. “That is our identity, and we need to run the ball like that every week.”

Gore was frustrated after the 49ers’ loss to Arizona, but after running wild against Philadelphia, he said he just wants to win.

“I just think as a team we’ve got so many weapons,” Gore said. “We’re going to do whatever it takes.”

The 49ers (2-2) showcased their weapons on both sides of the ball Sunday as they avoided their first three-game losing streak under coach Jim Harbaugh and handed Philadelphia (3-1) its first loss of the season.

San Francisco gave up three touchdowns, but not one of those was scored by Eagles coach Chip Kelly’s high-tempo, big-play offense.

“The defense turned in a real gem,” Harbaugh said.

The 49ers outgained the Eagles 407 yards to 213 and dominated the time of possession battle, 42:17 to 17:43.

“That’s definitely a test, that tempo of offense,” 49ers safety Eric Reid said. “That was a big key for us, to make sure we were all on the same page.”

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed 17 of 30 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

Eagles quarterback Nick Foles completed 21 of 42 passes for 195 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions. Running back LeSean McCoy carried 10 times for 17 yards.

“They out-executed us and beat us on offense,” Foles said. “It’s as simple as that. Early, I have to hit some passes to really get the chains moving for us, and then as an offense we can’t go to second-and-long.”

The Eagles built a 21-13 halftime lead on the strength of two special teams touchdowns and safety Malcolm Jenkins’ 53-yard interception return for a score.

The Philadelphia touchdown came when tight end Trey Burton blocked Andy Lee’s punt, and wide receiver Brad Smith recovered in the end zone early in the first quarter. The Eagles’ Darren Sproles returned a punt a career-long 82 yards for a score midway through the second quarter.

What the 49ers said:

“I think we did a nice job, especially getting the running game going. Going back to (running back) Frank (Gore), that’s a guy we have to stick with. He’s Frank Gore. He’s a guy you want to see with the ball in his hands. I thought we did a nice job offensively, but the defense played a heck of a game.” — Wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

What the Eagles said:

“It was frustrating, kind of embarrassing. As an offense, we have to execute better. That’s unacceptable, especially when defense and special teams were playing well.” — Tight end Brent Celek.

What we learned about the 49ers:

1. San Francisco is at its best when running back Frank Gore gets plenty of carries. One week after getting just six carries for 10 yards in a 23-14 loss to Arizona, Gore carried 24 times for 119 yards Sunday and caught a 55-yard touchdown pass in a 26-21 victory against Philadelphia. “It was a tough game but a great game,” Gore said. “It was a must win. I’m a football player. I just want to play football. Whatever it takes.”

2. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can match X’s and O’s with anyone. OK, that probably is not breaking news, but Fangio put together a masterful plan to deal with the Eagles’ high-powered, up-tempo offense and coach Chip Kelly. “All week we were working at a super-fast tempo,” 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis said. “It got tough at practice at times.” That tough work paid off Sunday.

–RT Anthony Davis was active and started for the first time this season after missing the first three games with an ankle injury. However, he hurt his left knee late in the first quarter, left the game and didn’t return. After the game, San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh had no update on Davis’ condition.

–TE Vernon Davis returned to the starting lineup after missing one game with an ankle injury, but he hurt his back early in the second half, left the game and didn’t return. After the game, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh had no update on Davis’ condition.

–RB Frank Gore carried 24 times for 119 yards and caught a 55-yard touchdown pass — the longest reception of his career — Sunday in a 26-21 victory against Philadelphia. Gore has rushed for 100 or more yards in four of his past five games against Philadelphia. He recorded his 36th career 100-yard rushing day.

–SS Antoine Bethea had his first forced fumble and first interception in his debut season for the 49ers on Sunday against Philadelphia. Bethea started his 100th consecutive game, the longest active streak by a safety in the NFL.

–CB Perrish Cox intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble and had four passes defensed Sunday in San Francisco’s 26-21 victory against Philadelphia. He started his third game in a row in place of injured CB Tramaine Brock.

What we learned about the Eagles:

1. Philadelphia needs to find a way get running back LeSean McCoy untracked or it could be in trouble. McCoy carried 10 times for 17 yards Sunday in a 26-21 loss to the 49ers. The Eagles’ offense never got into the end zone. For the season, McCoy has 192 yards on 70 carries, an average of just 2.7 yards per try. Last year, he averaged 5.1 yards per try and rushed for a league-leading 1,607 yards. “We’re not getting it done, not executing,” McCoy said of the Eagles’ offense.

2. Sacking the quarterback is not a lost art for the Eagles. Philadelphia had a combined three sacks in its first four games but turned up the heat Sunday and sacked speedy 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick four times in a 26-21 loss. Linebackers Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham and defensive end Vinny Curry each had one sack, while defensive end Trent Cole and linebacker Casey Matthews had half a sack apiece. The 49ers scored just two touchdowns and settled for four Phil Dawson field goals.

–RB/PR Darren Sproles returned a punt a career-high 82 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter Sunday during Philadelphia’s 26-21 loss to San Francisco. The punt-return touchdown was the fourth of Sproles’ career and his first as an Eagle.

–S Malcolm Jenkins intercepted a pass from QB Colin Kaepernick and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter Sunday. Jenkins has three interceptions this season, one in three consecutive games.

–RB LeSean McCoy’s struggles continued Sunday in the Eagles’ 26-21 loss to San Francisco as he rushed for just 17 yards on 10 carries and didn’t catch a pass. McCoy, who rushed for a league-leading 1,607 yards last season, has gained just 192 yards on 70 carries this year, an average of 2.7 yards per attempt. Last season, he averaged 5.1 yards per carry.