Another action-packed Premier League weekend began with the Merseyside derby and ended with the winners of that game enjoying a convincing five point lead at the summit.
Early goals sealed a fifth straight win for leaders Liverpool, although they were pushed closer than expected when Everton pulled one back in the second period.
The fact remains that David Moyes’ record against the established big clubs remains abysmal – the Scot is now without victory in 23 visits to Anfield, with Liverpool inflicting more pain by setting up the platform for three points with two goals inside the first half an hour.
If that was the first of three eye-catching clashes over the weekend, the second was a meeting between two clubs who dominated the English game between them for the best part of a decade.
Last month I said that Manchester United boss Ruben Amoim needed to change or go and going into a home meeting with Chelsea the picture was clear.
It had been 10 months since he was appointed but he is yet to win back-to-back league games and, of the 17 sides who have been in the Premier League since he was appointed, his United had the worst record with 31 points from 31 games.
A 2-1 home success may change little in that regard but it was a welcome victory, albeit against opponents who had their goalkeeper sent off just five minutes into an encounter notable for the 100th United goal of captain Bruno Fernandes – what a signing he has been since his arrival.
The third of the big trilogy brought the weekend action to a close in a clash between two title contenders who needed to lay down a marker.
Both did in a way, but the Premier League 2025 highlights they produced in North London only further turned the Premier League 2025 betting odds.
In favour of Liverpool.
Erling Haaland was terrific for Manchester City with yet another goal and a work-rate to match, contributions which looked set to earn them an impressive three points at Arsenal.
That was until the third minute of stoppage time when substitute Eberechi Eze dinked a superb ball over the top and exciting youngster Gabriel Martinelli spotted new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarmma off his line and expertly lifted the bouncing ball over the Italian before seeing it bobble into the empty net.
Super cool finishing at the death which impressed this Sbotop observer, even if a point was not the result they were looking for.
On the south coast on Saturday, Brighton, with the top flight’s youngest manager, welcomed a more resolute Spurs.
The draw I predicted may not have been the victory Spurs craved but it was a game they would have lost in previous years (in fact, they did).
In fact, their fightback from 2-0 down prompted manager Thomas Frank to describe it as their best showing so far this season.
Yankuba Minteh’s early strike and Yasin Ayari’s powerful drive had put the home side in the ascendancy but Spurs were the better side and pulled one back just before the break through Richarlison.
The equaliser came eight minutes from time when Jan Paul van Hecke turned a cross into his own net.
If Graham Potter is still in charge of West Ham by the time you read this, I will be a little surprised.
A 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace was exactly what he could have done without on an afternoon when about 3,000 home fans protested, unhappy at club chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
The unhappiness continued during the game as there were more “sack the board” chants from the home supporters when the match was goalless, with the hosts booed off at half-time when they were trailing and again at the final whistle.
Potter has now only won six of his 23 league games and picked up 23 points since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January. The Spaniard also collected 23 points from his spell in charge, but did so in three fewer games.
Of course, the owners did not give Lopetegui a fair crack to be judged properly and I am not convinced they are going to give Potter sufficient time either.
The final word for me goes to the team which earned the most impressive result of the weekend.
Newly promoted Sunderland sit in seventh place in the table after five games and no-one would have anticipated that.
Their 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa was a fine result given they had defender Reinildo sent off for violent conduct 12 minutes before half-time.
Villa thought they had earned their first win of the season when Matty Cash rifled home a swerving long-range shot.
But the hosts’ resilience and determination was rewarded through Wilson Isidor to leave the Wearsiders above the likes of Man City, Man Utd and Newcastle in the early standings.
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