We cast an eye over this weekend's Premier League action and pick out the highlights.
Performance of the weekend
West Ham's 3-0 win at Tottenham
West Ham started the day in the relegation zone, having only managed to score in two of their previous six Premier League games - and with no goals contributed by their only fully-fit forward Modibo Maiga. So Sam Allardyce dropped him to the bench at Tottenham and went with what appeared to be a 4-6-0 formation, with Ricardo Vaz Te and Stewart Downing coming in from wide positions. Ravel Morrison or Mohamed Diame would occasionally venture up front, but otherwise it was strikerless - and it worked a treat.
The Hammers kept Spurs at bay for an hour and then unleashed a 13-minute triple whammy through Winston Reid, Vaz Te and Morrison.
"You try these things, you hope they work," explained Allardyce, "and I said before the game if we got a result it would be great, but if we didn't, I'd probably get slaughtered!"
Goal of the weekend
Ravel Morrison
Morrison takes the goal plaudits after capping West Ham's win at Spurs with a sumptuous solo effort. The former Manchester United man picked the ball up just inside his own half after a clever flick from Diame, and drifted past Michael Dawson before lifting the ball over Hugo Lloris. The 20-year-old takes his tally to the campaign to four in league and cup, but this was certainly his best yet. The talent was always there, but the application was lacking - now Allardyce appears to have him focused.
Player of the weekend
Adnan Januzaj
On his first Premier League start for Manchester United at Sunderland, 18-year old Adnan Januzaj stole the show, bagging an excellently-taken double to ensure that the champions returned to winning ways.
The youngster caused problems for the Black Cats throughout at the Stadium of Light and proved his worth in front of goal as he almost single-handedly earned the points for David Moyes' men.
He guided home a Patrice Evra cross for his first goal, and put away a stylish volley for his second. There was also a diving incident, suggesting Januzaj might be picking up some traits from a certain United team-mate, but overall he deserved his commendations.
"He's 18 years of age and nerveless," said
Saturday Night Football expert Jamie Redknapp. "Every time he got the ball, he tried to do something with it. It was top class and a real pleasure to watch."
Warning of the weekend
Loic Remy
Daniel Sturridge, Romelu Lukaku, Olivier Giroud, Sergio Aguero... all these strikers are early contenders for the Golden Boot, but hitting a particular hot streak right now is Loic Remy. The Magpies had a fairly uneventful transfer window but their loan signing from QPR is suddenly pushing hard for a permanent deal - and is probably attracting other suitors at the same time. Two excellent strikes in the 2-1 win at Cardiff made it five goals for Remy in the last three games, and with league fixtures against Liverpool, derby rivals Sunderland, Tottenham and Chelsea coming up after the international break, Alan Pardew will be praying this potency continues.
Talking point
Chelsea's tactics at Norwich
It's unlikely Jose Mourinho would get away with long-ball tactics in home games for too long before Roman Abramovich had a word. But the Portuguese coach felt a more agricultural approach was needed in Norfolk on Sunday, and got Petr Cech and company to launch a few direct balls into Demba Ba, with Oscar and Juan Mata looking for the knock-downs. Crucially, a shift in approach for the final 20 minutes - when Samuel Eto'o replaced Ba - help Chelsea take all three points after Anthony Pilkington had equalised.
"I'm not here to defend a point," said Mourinho afterwards. "I'm here to try to win, so I had to risk a little bit." We can expect to see more tactical gambles from Mourinho as the season continues, as well as the famous mind games.
Miss of the weekend
Victor Moses
Liverpool were expected to beat struggling Crystal Palace comfortably at Anfield on Saturday, but the Reds would have been able to relax even more if Victor Moses hadn't managed a quite remarkable miss. The on-loan Chelsea man was unmarked two yards out and although Luis Suarez rather fired his low cut-back at him from the left byline, Moses should surely have tapped the ball home. Instead, he thighed the ball into the turf and saw it bounce onto the crossbar before being headed away.
Save of the weekend
Artur Boruc
Southampton are riding high in fourth having only conceded two goals in the Premier League so far this season. Artur Boruc is in sensational form in the Saints goal, and the 33-year-old could well prove a thorn in England's side at Wembley next week if he plays for Poland in World Cup qualifying. Boruc kept another clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Swansea at St Mary's on Sunday. He made several outstanding saves but the pick of the bunch was a full-length diving stop to his left to keep out Wilfried Bony's header. In the next round of fixtures after the international break, Saints are away to Manchester United; having already shut out Liverpool at Anfield, can the Pole deny the champions too?
