In the most highly anticipated match of the weekend, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal finally cleared a major hurdle by beating Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. For most of the match, the two sides squared off in a cagey fashion, sometimes feeling like they’d both accept a 0-0 draw. Manchester City had the best of the early chances, but the back and forth was tepid and resulted in very few clear cut scoring opportunities for either side. Gabriel Martinelli came on for the Gunners at halftime, and his injection of pace was a major factor in Arsenal’s ascendancy. The North London squad looked hungrier toward the end, and it was the young Brazilian Martinelli who shook the stalemate, scoring via a wicked deflection in the 86th minute. This result is a huge boost to the Gunners as they sit in second place, only missing out on the top via goals scored. City will feel hard done by to come away with nothing, but this match really compounds their reliance on Rodri - who missed out via suspension. During his 3 match absence, Pep’s team lost all 3 and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup. While the Catalan manager is undoubtedly one of the greatest football minds in history, he’s yet to solve his midfield puzzle when the Spanish stalwart is missing. This match wasn’t exactly a feast for neutrals, but the result does mean that we go into the international break with a top 4 separated by only 3 points.

Manchester United found a late winner of their own in their 2-1 victory over Brentford, but their win perhaps highlighted more issues in the squad than it solved. The Red Devils fell behind in the 26th minute to a Mathis Jensen goal with which, charitably, André Onana could have done better. They then proceeded to play out the rest of the 90 minutes without really troubling their West London visitors. Beyond that, the issues that have plagued the club (poorly balanced midfield, injuries forcing players out of position, and Marcus Rashford’s form) were all out in spades. Then injury time happened, and United found both an equalizer and a winner from Scott McTominay. On the surface this is something to celebrate, but it should be said that the Scottish international has been largely sidelined and was on the market during the transfer window. Manchester United can be happy with the points, but “Plan A” is currently deeply flawed. Brentford will come away from Old Trafford feeling sick, their performance should have earned them a point at least. Ethan Pinnock in particular put in a huge shift, but the club has meandered down to 15th place and needs to start earning results soon.

In the weekend’s other matches, a few members of the chasing pack squared off, largely splitting the spoils. In East London West Ham and Newcastle battled to an entertaining 2-2 draw, with the Hammers grabbing a late equalizer. David Moyes' side had taken an early lead through a tap-in by Tomáš Souček and made it to halftime without conceding too many glaring chances but - critically - not adding to their tally. Newcastle began to turn the screws around the hour mark and, by the 62nd minute, Alexander Isak had knocked in two goals. The young Swedish star had a chance for a hat trick denied by the post. While the Magpies looked to have sewn up all 3 points, it wasn’t to be. West Ham’s summer signing, Mohammed Kudus, came on as a sub and - in the 89th minute - smashed home a shot from the top of the box which split the points. While both clubs could make a case for deserving a victory - and West Ham had a great chance to win - this match was extraordinarily well balanced, and a draw was perfectly fair.

Brighton and Liverpool’s match also ended 2-2, with the home team grabbing an early lead through Simon Adingra. The young Ivorian playmaker seized on a sloppy pass from Virgil Van Dijk and timed his shot perfectly to exploit Alisson’s positioning. Roberto De Zerbi’s men will rue not adding to that lead, as Brighton thoroughly dominated most of the first half. However, the second goal didn’t come and, almost from nothing, Liverpool fired home an equalizer on the counter courtesy of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian then quickly followed this up by converting a penalty. Leading at the half, it was Liverpool’s turn to regret missed chances, when halftime sub Ryan Gravenberch hit the bar from a must-score position. The Reds seemed as though they’d see the match out, but the Seagulls found another gear in the last 15 minutes or so of regular time, ramping up the pressure and equalizing from a set piece. A draw was fair and keeps both teams within touching distance of the top of the table.

Aston Villa, who go into the International break in 5th place, also drew on the weekend, held by Gary O’Neill’s Wolves. This Midlands Derby was tightly contested, with Villa producing the better of the first half chances with no end product. There was plenty of chippiness with several early cards adding to the atmosphere. In the second half, it was Wolves who found the breakthrough, with Pedro Neto (who’s growing in stature each week) crossing for Hwang Hee-chan, who gamely slotted home. The lead was short lived, however, and Pau Torres produced a fine finish from the second phase of a set piece. While Wolves must have been disappointed, they produced a few solid chances for a late winner. Villa did as well, and had the best of an extended injury time, especially after Mario Lemina was sent off for a second yellow. It ended even, and Wolves can go into the break feeling great about their last two performances. What had seemed like a season of struggle suddenly looks brighter. Villa will rue the dropped points, but being in 5th (a position which may be good enough for Champions League) is a solid consolation.

One other match ended all square, with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest producing a 0-0 in the most midtable of all fixtures. Steve Cooper’s Forest had the better of the chances in the first half, with Toffolo and Gibbs-White going close before Murillo produced a spectacular run from defense that was denied by Sam Johnstone. Palace created a bit more after the interval with Mateta and Ayew both going close, before withstanding some late pressure from Forest. The game will not live long in the memory, but both sides will walk away happy enough with the result. Palace continue their steady, solid march to uncomplicated safety. Forest, surprising some, continue to build an unstressful survival campaign.

Speaking of safety (or lack thereof), Everton and Bournemouth faced off at Goodison Park with the home club running out comfortable victors. James Garner started the scoring off, pouncing on slip at the back by the Cherries. Loanee Jack Harrison added a second before halftime with a looping shot that clipped the underside of the bar - his addition to the side is a major boost to the Merseyside club. The second half followed the same pattern and Abdoulaye Doucouré added a third in the 60th minute. Everton dominated the whole match, emphatically earning all 3 points at home. If they can play like this consistently, they should survive with ease. Bournemouth, frankly, looked wildly overmatched the whole way through - which doesn’t bode well for them, considering this Everton side is meant to be a relegation rival. Andoni Iraola has, to this point, had a difficult schedule as an excuse. He needs to prove himself in this league soon, or the Cherries may be looking for a new leader.

It was not a good weekend for the promoted sides, which is becoming a common refrain this campaign. All three lost on Saturday, and - while Luton are out of the relegation zone on goal difference - they each seem ill-equipped for the top flight. Burnley fell at home to Chelsea, who were led by an electric Raheem Sterling. The match followed the now familiar pattern of most matches under Vincent Kompany: the Clarets started brightly, even taking a lead through Wilson Odobert, before fading and ultimately coming away easily beaten. For Chelsea, it’s now two wins on the bounce, and the West London club looks to be finding rhythm under Mauricio Pochettino. As previously mentioned, everything went through Sterling: his cross forced an own goal; he was fouled for a penalty (converted by Cole Palmer for his first Premier League goal); he finished well himself for Chelsea’s third; his lung-busting run led to Nicholas Jackson’s dagger. Blues fans will hope this is the start of a pattern for their club - Burnley fans will be desperate to break a pattern of their own.

It was much the same for Sheffield United, who were roundly beaten by Fulham at Craven Cottage. While the Blades kept the Cottagers out during the first half, Fulham were knocking on the door from the beginning of the match. Eventually, the pressure told, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid finally put the West London club ahead. Paul Heckingbottom’s side leveled via an Antonee Robinson own goal, but they were unable to hold on, conceding an own goal of their own (an unkind bounce off the post onto Foderingham in goal) and a great strike by Willian, which gave the Cottagers all 3 points. Sheffield United remain winless and rooted to the bottom of the table. At time of writing, no news has been posted regarding the fate of manager Heckingbottom, but it’s beginning to seem as though a change is inevitable.

Finally, Luton Town were felled by Tottenham, who go into the break at the top of the league. While the final score was only 1-0, Hatters fans will be disappointed that their club couldn’t make a better fist of it, especially considering Tottenham went down to 10 men following Yves Bissouma’s first half expulsion for 2 yellow cards. Not only were Luton incapable of pressing that advantage, the goal they conceded came against the reduced Spurs. While the story of the Hatters season won’t be determined by their matchups against sides at the very top of the table, any dropped points ring loud. Luton remain outside of the relegation zone, but that’s about the only positive to take for their supporters. Tottenham, on the entire opposite end of the spectrum, will go into the break elated and sitting in first place. Ange Postecoglou’s impact has been overwhelming, and if league’s were won with vibes alone, the North London club may have already clinched the title. There will be bumps in the road, but the coach and the new additions (including Maddison and van de Ven who combined for the winner) have gelled with the existing players so quickly, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement.