It was a good weekend for Chelsea as we got to see Antonio Conte’s beard, four goals smashed past West Bromwich Albion and Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard hit top form. Throw in the fact that Spurs lost as did West Ham and all Blues can be pretty happy.
What else happened in the Premier League?
Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Claude Puel’s Leicester City. The game saw the return of City skipper Vincent Kompany, who could be considered fortunate to have remained on the pitch having committed a professional foul after 90 seconds, for which he only received a yellow card. Pep Guardiola will have been pleased to see Kompany back in action, but will also be disappointed to see John Stones go off injured with a hamstring injury which will keep him out for 6 weeks.
Manchester United trail their neighbours by 8 points following their 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford. Newcastle took a shock lead through Dwight Gayle but the returning Paul Pogba inspired United to their recovery, scoring one himself.
Tony Pulis was already under pressure at West Bromwich Albion before Chelsea arrived, and with the Blues putting four past his previously solid defence it could only be a matter of time before there is a change at the Hawthorns. Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard sparkled as Conte’s men look to keep pace with the chasing pack.
Is there anything in life as unpredictable as Arsenal? Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham have a horrible record away from home against top six sides, but not many would have sanely predicted an Arsenal win in the North London derby. The win sparks hope once more the Gunners that they might be able to compete for the top four.
Liverpool will also be hoping that they can continue their charge to a second consecutive top four finish in the league. Southampton were seen off 3-0 at Anfield with Mo Salah doing most of the damage. Southampton’s manager Mauricio Pellegrino could well be fighting for his job before long.
Level with both Liverpool and Arsenal on points are, surprisingly, Burnley. Ashley Barnes scored twice to keep the Clarets dreaming of Europe in a relatively easy 2-0 win over Swansea City. The natives are getting restless towards Paul Clement in Wales, but there will be no emotional return for Chris Coleman who has left Wales to take over at Sunderland.
David Moyes got a clear view on the task ahead as his West Ham United side were eased aside 2-0 at Vicarage Road by Watford, for whom Richarlison starred once more. West Ham had many chances to get on the scoresheet but failed, and Moyes was fairly brutal in his post-match assessment which was not the positive rallying cry many Hammers fans would have hoped for.
Eddie Howe has remained pretty untouched in terms of job security, despite the fact Bournemouth have struggled to get going this season. However, the returning Callum Wilson smashed a hat-trick past Huddersfield Town in a 4-0 win which sees the Cherries move up to 13th.
David Unsworth will still be hoping to get the Everton job on a full time basis and his players seem to be responding to his request for better attitudes and more determination. Everton came from behind twice at Selhurst Park to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace.
All eyes now switch to Europe as the Champions League returns.