Three talking points from the Premier League weekend
Arsenal created a three point gap at the summit of the Premier League table whereas title holders Liverpool endured a fourth loss in a row during a 2 1 setback versus Manchester United.
Man Uniteds initial triumph at Anfield in eight years handed pressure facing manager Ruben Amorim a vital lift.
Arsenals tight backline maintained the Gunners position atop the standings through a 1 0 success over Fulham additionally Erling Haaland once more proved decisive for Manchester City netting twice in a 2 0 victory against Everton.
AFP Sport examines three key discussion areas from the Premier League matches:
Liverpool troubles intensify
Liverpool has encountered four successive losses for the first occasion since November 2014 prompting major doubts regarding their extensive summer acquisitions.
The bulk of an almost £450 million ($604 million) investment during the transfer window targeted bolstering the Reds offensive capabilities.
However club record purchase Alexander Isak along with Florian Wirtz remain without a Premier League strike for Liverpool and Arne Slots squad now appears vulnerable defensively.
Liverpool allowed only five goals across Slots initial 12 fixtures last term adopting a cautious strategy in his initial period following Jurgen Klopp.
In the equivalent period this campaign the English title winners have let in 17 strikes.
Slot aimed to deploy his array of forward talents. During the closing 30 minutes versus United he fielded five attackers.
That imbalance proved costly as merely six minutes following Cody Gakpos equaliser to Bryan Mbeumos initial strike Harry Maguire stood free to nod in Bruno Fernandes delivery.
"I believe we allowed a rather careless second goal" remarked Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk.
"We toiled extensively to return to contention and we generated excellent chances for the victory yet yielding a second goal in that manner marks the frustrating element."
1 0 to the Arsenal
The Gunners possess a legacy of achievements founded on robust defensive structures.
Two Premier League crowns secured under George Graham in 1989 and 1991 inspired the refrain "1 0 to the Arsenal" owing to how often that result occurred at the former Highbury ground.
Nevertheless Mikel Artetas present team has demonstrated even greater resilience in establishing a fresh club benchmark after surrendering merely three goals across their first 11 encounters this season across all tournaments.
For the second match running Arsenal faced zero efforts on goal while securing a 1 0 result at Fulham to reclaim the leadership.
"The degree of structure satisfies me greatly but it concerns more the attitude and the eagerness to achieve it" stated Arteta.
"How our forwards pursue the ball apply stress place opponents in disorder it stands remarkable."
Again Arsenal relied on a dead ball situation for the solitary score with Leandro Trossard finishing Gabriel Magalhaes header from a corner kick.
Yet they lack the need for abundant scoring provided they persist in yielding at such an unprecedented minimal rate.
Black Cats defy promotion pattern
Sunderland sat in Englands third division barely three years back.
Presently they overlook their Saudi funded nearby competitors Newcastle following an ideal launch to their Premier League comeback.
The Black Cats have equalled their finest opening to a top flight season gaining 14 points across eight outings after defeating Wolves 2 0 at the Stadium of Light.
Over the previous two terms every one of the three teams elevated from the Championship plummeted immediately to the second level.
However a comprehensive team refresh involving 14 fresh additions has positioned Regis Le Bris outfit to halt that sequence.
The trio demoted last term Southampton Leicester and Ipswich accumulated merely 14 points combined after eight games.
Sunderlands haul represents the strongest from an elevated team since Wolves in 2018 19.