Three talking points from the Premier League weekend

Arsenal and Manchester City traded blows with impressive wins in contrasting circumstances to pull further clear of the pack at the top of the Premier League.

Despite playing for over an hour with 10 men, City saw off Fulham 2-1 on Saturday thanks to Erling Haaland's 95th minute penalty.

Arsenal responded with a 1-0 win away to Chelsea to regain top spot by two points on Sunday and underline their credentials to be champions for the first time since 2004.

As the top two pull away, the race for the top four remains wide open with eight points separating in-form Newcastle in third from Crystal Palace in 10th.

Liverpool got themselves back in the race for a Champions League place with a 2-1 win at Tottenham, but Manchester United's unbeaten run came to an end as Aston Villa won 3-1 on Unai Emery's debut in charge.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the Premier League weekend:

Arsenal show true grit

As the rain fell heavier at a sodden Stamford Bridge and Chelsea's desperation increased, Arsenal were faced with the kind of high-pressure situation that has so often proved their downfall in recent years.

Holding a 1-0 lead given to them by Gabriel Magalhaes' close-range finish in the second half, Mikel Arteta's side had a statement victory in their grasp if they could hold firm in treacherous conditions.

In the past, that would have been the signal for a late Arsenal collapse.

But Arteta has imbued his unexpected title contenders with a gritty character at odds with their grim history of underachievement over the last decade.

City remain firm favourites to retain their title, but Arsenal refuse to go away and will seal top spot heading into the World Cup break with victory at Wolves next weekend.

Haaland holds his nerve

City took