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5 things we learned from this weekend's Premier League action

Liverpool are a point ahead of Manchester City in the title race.

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with victory over Manchester United while Manchester City are just a point back after defeating Everton.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the talking points following the weekend's Premier League action.

Liverpool can last the course

Liverpool v Manchester United – Premier League – Anfield
Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice as Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-1 (Peter Byrne/PA)

The pressure was on in one of Liverpool's biggest games of the season against rivals Manchester United.

Manchester City's win over Everton had taken them back to the top of the table on Saturday but Liverpool responded in style with a deserved 3-1 win.

They showed the character to deal with the mounting expectation and Jurgen Klopp's side proved they can handle the heat when it is on.

Paul Pogba's future remains in doubt

Liverpool v Manchester United – Premier League – Anfield
Manchester United's Paul Pogba was left on the bench at Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

The World Cup winner was left on the bench for one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures in the Premier League calendar.

If it was a powerplay from boss Jose Mourinho it backfired as United lost 3-1 and questions about the pair's relationship will only continue to grow.

Speculation over Pogba's future is mounting and the fact he was not even used as a substitute at Anfield – Marouane Fellaini, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata being sent on ahead of him – will do little to quell that.

Southampton are off and running

Southampton v Arsenal – Premier League – St Mary's Stadium
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl won on his St Mary's debut (Adam Davy/PA)

Ralph Hasenhuttl earned a home debut win as Southampton boss to lift them out of the bottom three.

A 3-2 victory over Arsenal was just the Saints' second win of the season but they are out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

There is still a long way to go after the struggles under Mark Hughes but perhaps Southampton have started the road to recovery.

Wolves can be the best of the rest

Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth – Premier League – Molineux Stadium
Raul Jimenez scored in the win over Bournemouth (Aaron Chown/PA)

After a wobble Wolves have won three straight top-flight matches for the first time since 1980.

Saturday's 2-0 win over Bournemouth lifted them to seventh and they are just a point behind Manchester United.

The top five will be out of sight but Nuno Espirito Santo's side can be the best of the rest, especially if United continue to flounder.

No Ranieri reaction

Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri has won just once as Fulham boss (Chris Radburn/PA)

Fulham have won once in Claudio Ranieri's five games in charge after a 2-0 defeat to West Ham.

They sit rock bottom with just nine points with a swift return to the Sky Bet Championship looking increasingly likely.

Despite a multi-million pound spending spree in the summer the Cottagers have failed to keep a clean sheet and have a goal difference of minus 26.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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