Ole Gunnar Solskjaer passed his biggest Manchester United test yet, while Liverpool put their title bid back on track.
Here, Press Association Sport examines five key lessons learned from the weekendโs Premier League action.
Solskjaer makes United history and long-term Old Trafford case
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer extended the dream start to his interim managerial stint still further in Sundayโs 1-0 win at Tottenham. Unitedโs clash against Spurs at Wembley was billed as the big audition for the long-term United managerโs job, with Tottenhamโs Mauricio Pochettino linked with the full-time Old Trafford helm. Former Norway and Red Devils striker Solskjaer grabbed the edge on the day however, with the visitors emerging victorious thanks to Marcus Rashfordโs fine finish. David De Geaโs inspired goalkeeping thwarted Tottenham at every turn, while Paul Pogba laid on Rashfordโs goal to make it four goals and four assists in the Premier League since Solskjaer took temporary control. Solskjaer now holds the outright record for winning his first six matches as United boss, and continues to push the case to take over full-time in the summer.
Liverpool ready to win ugly in title pursuit
An unconvincing Liverpool ground past Brighton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium, to set their Premier League bid back on track. Defeat at chief title rivals Manchester City turned into a bigger wobble with an FA Cup loss at Wolves. Mohamed Salahโs penalty settled some frayed Reds nerves though, amid a curiously lacklustre south-coast showing. Midfielder Fabinho impressed out of position at centre-back and Virgil Van Dijk was once again imperious too. Liverpool had to provide an immediate reaction to that City defeat, which ended their unbeaten league start. Jurgen Kloppโs men never got going, but still found a way to win, leaving the German boss pleased with a โmatureโ performance. A first league title since 1990 might just end up founded on victories like this.
Rice comes of age in midfield
Gifted youngster Declan Rice bagged his first Premier League goal as West Ham saw off Arsenal 1-0, leaving boss Manuel Pellegrini purring. The former Manchester City chief branded Rice the โcompleteโ player, lauding his abilities in both defence and now midfield. And Riceโs long-term future surely appears in a central holding role given just the rarity of genuine top-class defensive midfielders.
Southampton display steel for the relegation dogfight
New boss Ralph Hasenhuttl talks as directly as he has his Southampton team playing right now. The Austrianโs no-nonsense approach has had an immediate effect at St Maryโs, so much so that the south coast club can now rightly hope to step clear of the relegation scrap. Saturdayโs 2-1 win at Leicester โ playing half the match with 10 men after Yan Valeryโs red card โ proved a study in the renewed backbone instilled by Hasenhuttl.
A gripping but low-quality relegation battle awaits
Cardiffโs goalless draw with Huddersfield did enough on its own to encapsulate this yearโs dearth of quality at the tableโs foot. But then Fulham leaked two own goals to surrender a lead at Burnley that came courtesy of Andre Schurrleโs stunning strike. Germany midfielder Schurrleโs effort would have been worthy of winning most matches, and definitely deserved more than it received at Turf Moor. Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi put through their own net for a Fulham side lacking confidence and resolve. However the table eventually ends up, one or two sides of low quality could well avoid the drop.
