It was yet another exciting weekend of Premier League action as even more twists and turns were delivered, changing the complexion of the top four as well as the fight for survival.
Critical fixtures took place up and down the table, with top four hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester United meeting at the Emirates Stadium, and four derby matches took place up and down the country. A total of 21 goals were scored across nine matches, with a feisty clash between Crystal Palace and Leeds expected on Monday night to round-up the action.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola 's sides still remain embroiled in a tense Premier League title race as they are still separated by a single point, but their successes could lead to damaging repercussions elsewhere in the table. After another crucial weekend of domestic football, Mirror Football considers ten Premier League talking points.
Everton show fight but face unthinkable drop
Everton, stalwarts of the Premier League, face the very real prospect of seeing their 68-year stay in the English top flight come to an end this season after a damaging weekend. Burnley's 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers coupled with Everton's 2-0 loss at Liverpool in a feisty Merseyside derby on Sunday means Frank Lampard's side are now in the bottom three.
They battled hard at Liverpool, and on another day could have got a result, but nothing is going right for them this term. Everton have a game in hand on Burnley but their remaining fixtures include trips to Leicester City and Arsenal, as well as a home clash with Chelsea. Their Premier League fate is in their hands still but threat of relegation is now bigger than ever.
Arsenal regain control as Spurs slip again
Despite handing over fourth spot to Tottenham after suffering three consecutive defeats, Arsenal have miraculously bounced back and reclaimed their position at the expense of their rivals. The pressure was on as Arsenal faced clashes against both Chelsea and Manchester United, but they have taken maximum points against their 'big six' rivals.
Mikel Arteta admitted that all his side can do is focus on their own game, and that's exactly what they've done as they cruised to victory against United despite a penalty scare. Bruno Fernandes struck the post before Granit Xhaka fired in an emphatic effort to seal the points with a 3-1 win.
As Tottenham drew 0-0 to Brentford, Arsenal went two points ahead of their rivals in fourth, and now they just have to better their results with five games to go. It does make their north London derby meeting a mouth-watering clash though, in what is surely the most important clash between the two sides in recent history.
Jesus gives reminder of what he can offer
Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus was heavily linked with a move away from Manchester City this week, to reportedly make room for incoming Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. But the 25-year-old gave coach Pep Guardiola a timely reminder of what he can do as he plundered four goals to fire the champions to a 5-1 victory over Watford on Saturday.
Jesus scored his first Premier League hat-trick in his 155th appearance in the competition. He was the fifth Brazilian hat-trick scorer in the competition after Afonso Alves, Robinho, Roberto Firmino and Lucas Moura, but the first of those to score four in a single match.
Such a clinical display of finishing may persuade City there is room for both Jesus and Haaland in the ranks for next season.
Bolstering Man Utd's defence will be Ten Hag's priority
Manchester United benched the out-of-form Harry Maguire at Arsenal after a difficult personal week for the centre back due to a bomb threat at his home. However, their defensive woes continued in London, providing another reminder of the rebuild needed.
The returning Raphael Varane failed to clear a cross that led to Nuno Tavares's early opener, while fullbacks Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles struggled throughout the game, leaving Victor Lindelof as the best player in a poor back four.
A 3-1 defeat means United have shipped seven goals in their last two matches following a 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool. It's clear that incoming manager Erik ten Hag must build from the back to take the struggling team forward.
Toothless Tottenham fire another blank
Tottenham couldn't atop scoring under Antonio Conte, but in a dramatic turn of events they have failed to register a single shot on target in their last two matches. They were absent in front of goal against Brighton and paid the price at the visitors snatched a late winner, and Spurs had Hugo Lloris to thank for keeping out Brentford on Saturday.
Tottenham had scored 25 goals in seven league games, surpassing a club record for goals scored during that period of time. And they were leading the Premier League comfortably for goals scored in 2022. But they've look a shadow of their former selves in recent weeks, and if they're not careful then their hard work will be all for nothing.
If Tottenham fail to make the Champions League next season, it will only increase speculation that Conte may be considering leaving the club. Recent reports have suggested that he could be keen on replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint Germain, according to Le Parisien.
Howe deserves credit for Newcastle turnaround
Newcastle United did not win a game until December but have now claimed 10 victories in their last 14 Premier League matches as manager Eddie Howe's revolution at St James' Park gathers pace. Bottom of the league five months ago, Newcastle got an emphatic 3-0 victory over doomed Norwich City on Saturday which took them into the top half of the table and completed a remarkable turnaround.
They are playing with confidence, not least their new Brazilian recruit Bruno Guimaraes, who capped a fine performance with a goal.
It is true that they spent a lot of money in January to improve the squad but knitting together this team packed with potential is Howe, with his tactical acumen and man-management skills.
Tuchel happy for Jorginho to carry on penalty duties
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was a relieved man after Sunday's 1-0 win over West Ham thanks to Christian Pulisic's late strike. But things could have been very different if they had dropped points after Jorginho's penalty miss from a feeble effort.
The Italian midfielder shot straight at the goalkeeper in the 87th minute from a staggered run-up and hop - similar to how Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes did when he missed the target from the spot in their defeat at Arsenal.
The technique has attracted its share of critics who prefer a straightforward approach, but Tuchel said he would not call for change. "It's his style, he's right to stick to it. He's upset but happy with Pulisic to finish it," he said.
Potter stunned by Ward-Prowse magic
Another week, another James Ward-Prowse free-kick. The England international is closing in on David Beckham's Premier League free-kick record, and there is no better dead ball specialist in the top flight at this moment in time.
Ward-Prowse didn't just score one goal though, he helped himself to two as Southampton fought back from 2-0 down to leave the AMEX with a point on Sunday. After an awful run of form, Brighton won consecutive away games against both Arsenal and Tottenham, before losing 3-0 to City.
But despite holding a healthy advantage at home against Southampton, they let their lead slip as they struggle to register that illusive tenth win in the Premier League. Brighton have never managed double figures since being promoted back in 2017, but they will have four more opportunities to do so between now and the end of the season.
BURNLEY CONTINUE TO THRIVE WITHOUT SEAN DYCHE
Burnley's decision to sack Sean Dyche was one of the more shocking Premier League dismissals in recent history, as the Englishman continued to do a fine job at the club after being appointed back in 2012. Dyche helped Burnley achieve promotion, and then kept them up against the odds season after season, with limited resources.
And after losing 3-0 to Norwich, Dyche was sacked, and the timing seemed bizarre with the end of the season so close. But Burnley have thrived ever since, drawing 1-1 away to West Ham and beating both Southampton and Wolves in the games that followed.
Burnley are now out of the bottom three, and Everton have dropped into the relegation zone after losing 2-0 to Liverpool. If the Clarets can avoid the drop, it will be an almighty escape, and it could signal the end for Everton.
Europa League the focus for Moyes' men
With one of the biggest games in West Ham's history on Thursday against Frankfurt, fans weren't surprised to see David Moyes name a weakened side against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. With top four seemingly out of reach in the Premier League, West Ham's best route to the Champions League is by winning the Europa League.
And they are just three games away, as they face Frankfurt home and away in the semi-final, and either Rangers or RB Leipzig will await the victor in Seville. Winning the Europa League would be an incredible achievement for West Ham, but Moyes will be proud of his squad depth as they almost stole a point against Chelsea.
West Ham frustrated the hosts, and after Jorginho made a mess of his late penalty it looked as though the game would end 0-0. Pulisic had other ideas as he snatched a late victory, but all focus will be on Thursday night's in the coming weeks for Moyes and his side.
