Premier League 2017/18: Five talking points from gameweek 6

As the English Premier League rolled on, gameweek 6 proved to be quite a thrilling time, as goals came in thick and fast across the competition.

While the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City annihilated their unfortunate opponents for the weekend, Manchester United and Liverpool wriggled through with narrow victories.

Here's a quick look at the 5 main talking points from gameweek 6:

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#1 Morata and Chelsea make a statement

Morata scored his first Premier League triple against Stoke City

The defending champions have made a comeback from the disappointing draw against Arsenal last week. Antonio Conte's team has made a statement, and how!

Taking on an opposition that has pinched points off both Arsenal and Manchester United at home this season, the Blues showed their class while stamping their authority on the game.

Spanish sensation Alvaro Morata's hat-trick has now given him seven goals in seven matches. He began destructing Stoke City's defence right from the second minute of the game, when he scored a beautiful goal past Jack Butland.

The most striking aspect of Morata's clinical performance was his composure. He did not dwindle, he did not dawdle and he did not disintegrate for a second.

He did not look like an apprehensive international star taking his first dive into the rough trenches of English football. He looked like a maverick ready to take on the world with character, confidence, and tranquillity.

In fact, the entire Chelsea unit looked imperious this week. The Hazard-less starting XI created problems for the Potters from the word go. To answer a popular question, they could most definitely gain those 3 crucial points on a cold night at Stoke!

#2 Manchester United show first signs of weakness

The Red Devils were a tad lucky to keep three points from the encounter

Every international athlete who has seen and experienced incredible, yet consistent performances in a sport will always emphasize the importance of the "ugly" win. The victory helps you detect your weaknesses without having to pay for the same. It instils confidence within you and helps raise your deflated spirit.

It looks like Manchester United have had excellent bargains, not only in the transfer window earlier this summer, but also in their initial fixtures of the season.

Manchester United had an ugly, yet effective outing at Southampton, which brings their record to five victories, one draw, five clean sheets and 17 goals in this season.

Jose Mourinho's side has looked absolutely clinical ever since they took the field against a hapless West Ham defence in its first match of the league this year. Since then, they have rolled past opponents with minimal exertion.

However, the team showed its first sign of weakness in the Premier League this weekend.

It must be noted that midfielder Paul Pogba missed the action due to injury this week and his absence was certainly felt on the field by Valencia and Co. It felt as though a leading character was missing from a powerful theatrical performance.

However, the rest of the cast stood up when it mattered and did not let the 1-0 become 1-1, like they did so often last season. Southampton, who have had a series of tight results this season, tested the United defence pretty frequently, more so in the second half. Mario Lemina, in particular, was exquisite with his timing.

Romelu Lukaku scored his eighth goal in as many appearances early in the match. His strike was forceful enough to fly all the way to Manchester with three points in the kitty.

The end note is that Manchester United are still unbeaten this season!

#3 Harry Kane's prolific run continues

Harry Kane was beyond formidable this past weekend

Tottenham managed to clinch victory against West Ham, in spite of being brought down to ten men at the London stadium, thanks to another thumping performance from Harry Kane.

The English striker overtook Arsenal legend Thierry Henry with his double strike in the game and now has the maximum number of goals in the history of London derbies. He now has 21 goals in just 24 appearances against London-based teams.

Things did seem to go downhill for a while for the Lilywhites, more so at the end of the game. Serge Aurier was sent off with 20 minutes remaining, and West Ham surged in the latter part of the game.

However, a deficit of three goals, powered by Kane's brilliance, was a little too much for the hosts to overcome.

It is hard to believe that the striker is 24-years-old and still qualifies as a youngster. The thing with consistent performers is that you forget how tough it is for them to sustain themselves at the top level. Here is a man whose numbers not only speak for him, but glorify his brilliance, and rightly so.

It sure seems like good times could follow for the centre-forward in the next stages of his career.

Tottenham have unearthed a gem for themselves and might be looking at a future legend in their whites.

The real question, though, is whether they can retain it through the years, while also ensuring that it shines consistently?

#4 The Liverpool penalty fiasco

Simon Mignolet went from being a hero, to turning into an enemy, and going right back to being a saviour for Liverpool fans, in mere seconds in the latter half of the exhilarating game against Leicester City.

The goalkeeper had an average day in the office and was nowhere close to his best. He struggled to keep the ball away from the net and it surged past him to slam into it twice in the game.

The match was at a tight, tantalizing position when Vardy made full use of Mignolet's wayward throw and took the score to 3-2. Less than a minute later, he was brought down by an awful miskick from the goalkeeper.

The end result of the entire incident? Vardy earned a penalty. Mignolet earned a card.

However, it was the Belgian who had the last laugh over the Englishman, when he dived to his right to push Vardy's fast strike far away from his post. It was the defining moment of the match, which infused confidence in the Reds and demoralized the Foxes.

Mignolet's incredible penalty record now stands at 5 saves in his last 8 attempts.

#5 Let's talk about Manchester City

Sergio Aguero followed up his hat-trick last week with yet another goal against Crystal Palace

Take this for a stat - Manchester City have scored 19 goals in six PL games so far, with 16 of them coming in their last three games.

There has been a lot of talk about Manchester United's strong title bid this season. Now, however, it's time to shift the limelight to their local rivals.

They were at the top of the table at the beginning of the weekend due to a minor alphabetical advantage, but now lead United on goal difference.

Pep Guardiola and Co. have not stopped since they crucified Liverpool in the city of Manchester earlier this month, and do not look like doing so anytime soon. A fire has surged through their attack, while ice cool defence has stonewalled incoming attacks.

They look ready, greedy and extremely self-assured. If those aren't signs of a champion team, what is?

Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace, on the other hand, look more and more hapless with every passing match. They have now suffered six losses in the league and are yet to find their first goal, let alone their first win.

City would not waste their thought on that though. Their aim is to kill with every attack and kill in every minute. They had a similar start last season, but as Guardiola says, they "have more goals, conceded less and the feel a little bit better."