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The Premier League did more than enough to maintain its status as the service provider of world-class footballing entertainment this weekend. With some teams going through phases of change and others navigating their way through hardships, there is always something to look forward to in the English top-flight.
The biggest question that loomed over the 8th gameweek, by quite a margin, was whether or not Jose Mourinho will have his tenure cut short at Manchester United. In a stem-winding contest, one that could be labelled as the most thrilling Premier League match of the season so far, Manchester United got the better of Newcastle United, albeit by the skin of their teeth.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Manchester City played out a goalless draw though the game wasn't short on excitement. Chelsea and Arsenal seem to be tackling this new era of change quite positively and the top clubs of the Premier League seem to be pulling out all stops to ensure that the battle for the title goes right down to the wire.
On that note, let's take a look at 3 of the most significant takeaways from this gameweek in the Premier League.
#3 Arsenal continue to play exciting football as the Emery era takes wings
Arsenal went to Craven Cottage to take on Slavisa Jokanovic's side that has shown quality only intermittently so far this season. If back in January Arsenal could not really be sure where their goals were going to come from, now they have 2 bankable outlets.
Lacazette was on top of his game and Alex Iwobi seems to be coming of age. Under Unai Emery, Arsenal's counter-attacks come at breakneck speeds and on Sunday, Nacho Monreal and Iwobi were posing a considerable amount of threat down the left flank from the get-go.
Lacazette's excellent control and finish in the 29th minute at the end of a counter-attack led by Iwobi and Monreal was almost identical to that of Aubameyang's goal in the 79th. Though Schurrle equalized for Fulham as the first half was drawing to a close, it always looked like it wasn't going to be enough.
The French forward struck a thunderous low volley in the second half to restore Arsenal's lead. Subsequently, Arsenal brought on Aaron Ramsey and his introduction breathed more life into Arsenal's raids. Shortly afterwards, Ramsey starred heavily in what was a vintage Arsenal goal topped off with a spectacular heel flick for a finish.
Ramsey's enterprise helped Arsenal end the game with a flourish with Aubameyang scoring in the 91st minute to put the icing on the cake. Granit Xhaka also had a good game and the players are all coming together to grind out good results for the club and the trust that the board has placed in Emery seems to be paying off.
#2 Manchester United players remind us of the quality in their ranks with a resounding comeback
Jose Mourinho has been pretty vocal about the lack of quality in defence and you couldn't help but agree with him as Newcastle United's usually meek looking attack tore the United backline to shreds within the first 10 minutes of the game.
The Red Devils looked clueless and devoid of ideas and Jose Mourinho's exit seemed to be only a couple of hours from being sanctioned. When the teams recessed during halftime, hardly anyone would have fancied this set of players to turn the game around.
However, Mourinho made a few sweeping changes to his team keeping only Chris Smalling as the sole out and out defender. United then delivered the kind of performance that their fans were yearning for and attacked relentlessly.
Juan Mata's freekick in the 70th minute oozed quality and gave Mourinho's men hope. Subsequently, Martial and Pogba combined to produce a moment of magic on the left side of the box to equalize for Manchester United.
The much-maligned Alexis Sanchez headed home in the 90th minute to afford Jose Mourinho a lifeline and suggest to the Old Trafford faithful that all is not lost.
For the entirety of the first half, the Manchester United players looked sapped off confidence and apprehensive of taking risks. But in the last 45 minutes, with nothing to lose, they regained their stride and scored 3 quality goals.
Having already been dealt heavy blows on the Premier League title challenge front, United need to start being their fearless selves- a change in mentality that was rewarded with 3 goals in 20 minutes.
For all the quality that Mourinho has at his disposal, there is no excuse for United being toothless in attack. At the end of the night, the Stretford End was buzzing with chants of 'Mourinho's Red Army' and that's quite simply because they saw the Manchester United that they wanted to see. A team that attacks, attacks and attacks.
#1 Sarriball has revived Chelsea but tougher tests are yet to come
Though Antonio Conte won the Premier League in his first season and followed it up with a triumphant FA Cup campaign in the second, questions were asked of his playing style. Chelsea often played defensively and the fans were growing more and more disappointed as Conte cut a frustrated figure over the course of a disappointing sophomore Premier League season.
However, Sarri has taken over since and Chelsea are playing some exciting football. The addition of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic and the ongoing revival of Ross Barkley have bolstered the Chelsea midfield.
Barkley put on quite the performance and justified Sarri's decision to bench Kovacic against Southampton. He picked up an assist and then scored in the second half to extend Chelsea's lead.
In front of goal, the newcomer Kepa Arrizzabalaga showed a good deal of maturity with the ball at his feet and has come up with the goods whenever he's been tested.
Chelsea's 3rd goal that was finished off by Alvaro Morata typified what is popularly known as 'Sarriball'. The Blues completed 31 passes before it ultimately resulted in a goal. Sarri expressed his delight in seeing the players taking to his vision of the game in such grand fashion.
More than anything, Chelsea players are playing more freely and with the likes of Eden Hazard playing at the top of his game, they could ensure that the title race goes down to the last gameweek.
Though tougher tests are on their way, Chelsea can rest easy for now in the belief that they will only get better over the course of the season.
