While Chelsea marched forward with their 11th successive win in the Premier League to retain the top spot, this week was an eventful one; good for some teams, bad for some.
A 7-point lead at the top for Antonio Conte’s blues, an important three point secured for Pep Guardiola’s City and a Zlatan-inspired United win; all in all a fantastic rehearsal for post-Christmas drama.
Here are five takeaways from Premier League action this weekend.
ZLATAN IS A FREAK
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has 11 goals in his first 16 games for Man United; only Ruud van Nistelrooy (12) scored more in the same period for the club, but the Swede is 35.
His physical capabilities are, quite frankly, off the chart and he continues to play like someone 10 years younger.
ARSENAL’S DEFENCE IS OVERRATED
Arsenal have the fifth-best defence in the EPL but they’re still looking porous.
Petr Cech hasn’t kept a clean sheet in his last eight games – the worst run of his career – and their attack has bailed them out far too many times for it to be sustainable.
Shkodran Mustafi is deeply missed.
DON’T BE FOOLED BY WEST HAM
West Ham celebrated a second 1-0 win on Saturday to stabilise their season.
But the Hammers fixtures have been very soft and tight wins over Sunderland and Hull are hardly impressive.
Wait until New Year when they face Leicester, United and then City before properly judging them.
SUNDERLAND’S SECOND-BEST ATTACKER
Jermain Defoe does an awful lot for Sunderland but in Patrick van Aanholt they have one of the league’s most attacking full-backs.
The Dutchman covered more than half the pitch to get on the end of Defoe’s cross against Watford and is the Black Cats joint second-highest scorer on three.
KANE LOOKS A LITTLE LOST
Harry Kane’s return from injury has energised Tottenham but his individual contribution to the team has been minimal.
He’s goalless in his last three games and continues to drop too deep to try and involve himself in the overall play rather than occupying the area.