From Manchester City's brilliance to Chelsea's woes, 5 talking points from Premier League Gameweek 8

In a week where the Premier League returned from the international break, we were treated to an avalanche of goals, upsets and controversy. Stoke's defence went on a walkabout, paint dried in the 0-0 at Anfield and Pep Guardiola's City sent a clear message to the rest of the competition at the Etihad.

Elsewhere, Palace finally scored, fragile Arsenal lost again, Chelsea hit back to back losses for the first time this season and Swansea delivered on their big day. With 24 goals and the league starting to take shape, gameweek 8 did not fail to impress. Here are the top five talking points from all the weekend’s action.

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#1 Manchester City's 'Tika-Taka' football

Pep Guardiola has got his City side playing scintillating football

Manchester City charged to the top of the table after a 7-2 demolition of Stoke City. Manager Pep Guardiola has taken his attacking passing style from Barcelona to Munich and now to the city of Manchester. Key stars Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, David Silva and Leroy Sane featured in a passing display that was arguably the most one-sided half of football this season.

The first half alone saw City score three times and have 83% of the possession leaving Stoke manager Mark Hughes to laud his opponents as the best team in the league. Speaking after the game he said: “Clearly I would say that after being beaten 7-2 but they look significantly better than anybody else in the league in terms of our experience.”

#2 Palace know where the goal is after all but does Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi?

Palace fans celebrate after seeing their team record their first win of the season

Palace scored their first goals of the season in a rare 2-1 Selhurst Park victory over last year's champions Chelsea. While the win doesn't take Palace off the foot of the table, it could spark a revival none of us saw coming.

Meanwhile, the loss may prove to Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte that he cannot rely on frontman Michy Batshuayi in the absence of prolific talisman Alvaro Morata. Batshuayi was given a rare Premier League start but only lasted 57 minutes before showing his anger at being substituted for the Spaniard, Pedro.

The 24-year-old offered little up top and posed Palace centre-backs Mamoudou Sakho and Scott Dann very few problems. Conte will hope for Morata's return sooner rather than later and questions remain over Chelsea's depth up front. With the January transfer market still months away, Batshuayi days could be numbered.

#3 Arsene Wenger's weak Arsenal lose again

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are now nine points off leaders City and have it all to do

Watford left it late in their injury time 2-1 win over the Gunners to prompt more questions over the manager, Arsene Wenger. The players looked lost and bewildered come the final whistle despite having a 1-0 lead. Arsenal are yet to record an away win and find themselves nine points off leaders City.

Club legend Martin Keown has since hit out at the Arsenal player's lack of determination and belief. Speaking in his London Evening Standard column he said: “It seriously makes me look at the DNA of the Arsenal players and in the recruitment, there needs to be more of a steeliness and a determination.”

#4 Klopp wants Mourinho's old habits to die hard

Managers Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp come head to head during Liverpool's showdown against Manchester United

In what was one of the dullest North West derbies in the Premier League to date, it was the post-match interviews which grabbed the headlines. Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp took fire at Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho by saying, "It's OK for Manchester United" to play with no real attacking intent, but the same would not happen at his Liverpool. Whilst Mourinho was at Inter Milan and Chelsea he built his teams around keeping it tight at the back and opted to return to the trend against Liverpool.

However Klopp was not complimentary towards the Portuguese style of play, he later added: “José obviously did what he thinks is right, or what he wants to do, and that is OK.

"It doesn’t make life easier for us but I can’t moan and say: Come on, open up a little bit. They want to win the league and I am sure we couldn’t play like this at Liverpool after 125 years without the title."

#5 Swansea triumph in early season battle for survival

Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - Premier League

Swansea won their first home game of the season as they surpassed Huddersfield Town 2-0. The Swans boss, Paul Clement, changed to a 4-3-3 formation to bring some welcome width and lifted them out of the relegation zone.

This win could prove pivotal in their plot to stay in the league and bring them the momentum they so desperately need as their next five games see them face a mixed array of talents. They host relegation strugglers Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion either side of clashes with Manchester United and Arsenal.

A brace either side of half-time ensured striker Tammy Abraham, on-loan from Chelsea, took his tally to five for the season. Abraham's form could decide where the Welsh side finish as they have looked toothless at times when the Englishman hasn't performed.