1. Jeremy Doku ignites Man City's title charge in Guardiola's 1,000th game

Pep Guardiola's managerial milestone couldn't have been celebrated in better fashion.

Manchester City dismantled Liverpool 3–0, but the standout figure was Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger, previously spotlighted in the Champions League against Real Madrid, tormented Conor Bradley and dictated proceedings from the left flank.

He set up an early penalty, contributed creatively throughout, and capped his performance with a spectacular long-range strike.

Trailing Arsenal by just four points, City have re-established themselves as genuine title contenders.

2. Igor Thiago rises to Brentford's goalscoring challenge

Brentford have made a habit of replacing departing stars with fresh attacking talent, and Igor Thiago is the latest to flourish.

Following a difficult debut season plagued by injuries, Thiago has exploded into form, scoring eight Premier League goals - second only to Erling Haaland.

His recent brace against Newcastle confirmed that he is now the focal point of Brentford's attack, stepping seamlessly into the void left by the exits of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo. Remember, the Bees have also produced the likes of Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins in recent years.

The Brazilian's progression underscores Brentford's scouting acumen and adaptability, proving the club can maintain attacking potency despite losing high-profile forwards in the transfer market.

3. Sunderland's Premier League renaissance continues

Sunderland's return to the top flight has been marked by a combination of resilience, tactical savvy, and late-game heroics.

After 11 games, the newly promoted side have already amassed 19 points - the best start for a promoted team since Hull City in 2008–09. Their 2–2 draw against Arsenal exemplified their character: Dan Ballard opened the scoring, Arsenal fought back, yet Sunderland's Brian Brobbey netted a stoppage-time equaliser, while Ballard made a crucial block to secure the point.

Manager Regis Le Bris has instilled both discipline and belief in his squad, fostering a team that thrives under pressure.

With five goals already scored after the 90th minute this season, Sunderland are proving that promoted sides can combine tactical astuteness with unyielding spirit.

4. Arsenal's impenetrable defence meets reality in an unlikely form

Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Sunderland offered a rare reminder that even title-challenging sides can be vulnerable.

Despite injuries to seven key players, Mikel Arteta's squad has built a platform for a genuine Premier League challenge, with performances and results largely phenomenal.

The draw, coming after a 10-game winning streak and eight consecutive clean sheets, doesn't indicate decline but highlights the team's resilience, as Theo Walcott noted: "Arsenal did almost everything right up until the last few minutes."

With the international break offering time to recover key players, Arteta can focus on the bigger picture ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham. The result is a reminder that setbacks are part of sustaining a long-term title push.

5. West Ham revival under Nuno begins to take shape

West Ham's recent back-to-back home victories signal the early stirrings of a revival under Nuno Espirito Santo.

For the second consecutive week, the Hammers fell behind before mounting a fightback, eventually claiming a 3-1 triumph that lifted them within striking distance of escaping the relegation zone.

Beyond the results, Nuno's system is starting to click: Matheus Fernandes produced a commanding display, creating three chances and completing three tackles, while Lucas Paqueta and Freddie Potts provide balance and technical quality in midfield. Up front, Callum Wilson's poacher's goal and Crysencio Summerville's explosive wing play hint at a front line capable of executing Nuno's counter-attacking blueprint.

The early signs are encouraging, suggesting West Ham may finally have the structure and belief to stabilize their Premier League campaign.

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