Here are five talking points from the weekend's action:
It was a day of role reversal as Jose Mourinho's often cautious Chelsea thumped Everton 6-3 in a thriller on Saturday while champions Manchester City's attacking talents were blunted in a shock 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City.
'In the present-day game, it is difficult to see any club having players who can stay with them for 10 years'
Chelsea to host Burnley in Premier League season ope
FIFA technical director Marco van Basten would like to see how football works without offside and limit the number of fouls a player can commit during a game.
Chelsea go into Sunday's game holding a 10-point lead over second-placed Arsenal and manager Jose Mourinho may have to thrust one of his young strikers into the fray.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Tomer Hemed grabbed the only goal as they ended Newcastle United's three-match winning streak with a 1-0 victory on Sunday in a battle between two of this season's promoted sides.
Brief reports of English Premier League matches on Saturday:
Jamie Vardy's record scoring streak ended but LeicesterCity's improbable Premier League title challenge continued with Riyad Mahrez's hat-trick sealing a 3-0 win at SwanseaCity that put them top on Saturday.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and goalkeeper Joe Hart could return from injury in time for Saturday's Premier League game against Stoke City, manager Manuel Pellegrini has said.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has lost an appeal against the suspended one-match stadium ban and 50,000 pounds ($76,115) fine he received last month, the Football Association said on Thursday.
Normally the candidates for goal of the season are spread throughout the 10 months of the campaign, but this weekend's Premier League matches produced six memorable strikes in little over 24 hours.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been given a one-match stadium suspension with immediate effect and fined 40,000 pounds ($61,680.00) over a misconduct charge, the Football Association said on Monday.
Liverpool will cover most miles of any Premier League club in pre-season preparation.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is set for a month-long spell on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury in the opening match against Newcastle United, manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Friday.
Middlesbrough were rewarded for beating Manchester City with a trip to FA Cup holders Arsenal while Chelsea's conquerors Bradford City host Sunderland or Fulham after the fifth round draw on Monday.
Stoke City have completed the signing of Manchester City striker John Guidetti on loan and secured midfielder Stephen Ireland on a permanent deal from Aston Villa.
Sergio Aguero scored five times in 20 minutes including an eight-minute hat-trick as Manchester City came from behind to thrash Newcastle United 6-1 and go back to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday.
Kurt Zouma and Eden Hazard scored the goals the goals in a match that saw Diego Costa play central character.
The French striker will be absent from the Arsenal first team lineup for the first time this season on Sunday.
Aaron Ramsey indulged his new goalscoring habit on his return to his boyhood club as Arsenal opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Cardiff City on Saturday.
Jordon Ibe scored a superb equaliser as Liverpool's pre-season tour ended in frustration after they were held to a dull 1-1 draw by a Malaysia XI on Friday.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho sprung to the defence of new goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after the Bosnian conceded four goals against the New York Red Bulls.
The Egyptian becomes the fastest player to score 50 goals for Liverpool, achieving the feat in 65 games.
A night of wholesale team changes for the 11 Premier League sides in action produced one notable upset with top flight Stoke City losing 2-0 at second-tier Bristol City.
De Boer, who lasted only 77 days as Crystal Palace manager after losing his first four league games in charge with no goals scored, said in an interview on BT Sport that it was "a pity" Mourinho was Rashford's manager because he was not getting enough chances.
Liverpool finished 2016 second in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over third-placed Manchester City on Saturday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Striker Costa ends second spell at Atletico Madrid.
Holders and Premier League leaders Arsenal will be at home to Championship (second tier) Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup after most of the big guns avoided top flight opponents in Monday's draw.
Chelsea ran riot at Swansea City, scoring four times before halftime on the way to a 5-0 win that sent Jose Mourinho's side five points clear in the Premier League on Saturday.
Luis Suarez struck a clinical hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed West Bromwich Albion 4-1 at Anfield to keep pace with Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.
Manchester United will travel to third-tier MK Dons in the Capital One Cup second round following the draw on Wednesday, the first time they have been involved at this stage of the competition for 19 years.
Sterling was jeered by some supporters, while others shouted "Stay, Raheem" as he picked up the accolade a day after British media reported that the 20-year-old was poised to request a transfer.
English clubs took their spending on players for the season soaring past 1 billion pounds on Monday, but the biggest signing on transfer deadline day was that of a manager as Manchester City confirmed Pep Guardiola will take over this summer.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Zidane plays down Ronaldo injury; Liverpool's Gomez sidelined after surgey
Arsenal ended Leicester City's brief stay at the top of the Premier League on Sunday despite being held to a 0-0 draw at Stoke City after Manchester United's Wayne Rooney struck late for a 1-0 win at Liverpool.
Leaders Chelsea stretched their Premier League winning run to a club record-equalling 11 as Diego Costa's header shortly before halftime secured a 1-0 victory at London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances