10 games in the space of two days that produced more than 30 goals in the Premier League this weekend provided some much-needed entertainment after the international break that saw club football take a small break last weekend.
The likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have all managed to get the better of their opponents while Manchester United and Chelsea managed to drop points for the first time this season.
There were some interesting matchups and even more interesting results from this weekend in the Premier League. So let’s take a look at 10 talking points from this weekend in the Barclays Premier League:
- Pep Guardiola draws first blood:
After a similar start to the season, the Manchester teams were battling it out for superiority this early in the season at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho, who just hates losing to his nemesis in Guardiola was disappointed with his team’s performance in the 2-1 loss and will have to play catch-up for the rest of the season with their cross-town rivals.
- Eddie Howe posts first win this season:
The Cherries managed to take just one point from their first three games of the season but a solitary goal in the 79th minute from Callum Wilson was enough for the home side to get the better of Pulis’ Baggies side in a well fought contest at the Vitality stadium on Saturday.
- Gunners finding some form:
After a disastrous start to the season taking just a points from their first two games against Liverpool and Leicester City, Arsenal are back on track this season winning two games on the trot. They needed an exotic effort from Laurent Koscielny and a late penalty from Santi Cazorla to take all three points from the Saints who gave a good fight on the night.
- Robert Snodgrass denies Sean Dyche his first victory in the Premier League:
A 72nd-minute goal from Steven Defour looked like it would give Burnley all three points against a fellow promoted side Hull City but Robert Snodgrass had other ideas. He sent in a superb free-kick to beat the Burnley keeper as he managed to steal a point from the trip to the Turf Moor on Saturday.
- Wilfried Zaha gives Pardew his first win:
Crystal Palace managed to take just one point from the first three games of their season but they managed to hit back after the international break this weekend. Goals from Christian Benteke and Zaha on either side of a goal from Daniel Ayala saw Palace run away 2-1 winners on the night registering their first victory of the season.
- Mark Hughes has problems:
Having taken just a point from the first three games, the Potters had a crunch game at home against a Spurs side that was misfiring so far this season. However, they fell to a 4-0 defeat as they find themselves at the bottom of the points table needing a drastic change in events to get them back into the midst of the table.
- Klopp’s men give perfect start to new Anfield:
On a night when the Anfield was noisier, thanks to the new main stand that made the stadium bigger, Liverpool were clinical and ruthless barring one mistake at the back as they put the Champions of England to the sword in a 4-1 victory that pushed the Reds into the 6th place in the points table.
- Walter Mazzari downs Bilic’s side:
4 goals in 22 minutes on either side of the break saw the Hornets take all three points from a trip to the Olympic stadium this weekend. Watford were superb in their approach play as they turned around a 2-0 deficit given to the home side by Miguel Antonio’s brace in the first half. It is a game that will give the Hornets plenty of confidence going into the rest of the season.
9. Diego Costa saves Conte yet again:
Having scored a winner twice already this season, Diego Costa once against produced a brilliant performance away from home this weekend against a spirited Swansea side who would have taken all three points but for a sizzling 81st minute equalizer from the Spaniard. It is the first time Conte has dropped points this season and he will hope that his team will be back to their best this Friday when they welcome Liverpool.
- Romelu Lukaku announces himself:
After a sedate start to his new Premier League campaign, Romelu Lukaku, in 11 minutes gave Sunderland a run for their money at the Stadium of Light this weekend. He burst into action at the hour mark and completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute as he gave Everton all three points and took them to the 3rd place in the points table