City lay down title marker in United win – 5 things we learned in Premier League

Premier League leaders Manchester City laid down another title marker after seeing off rivals Manchester United 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to regain their six-point advantage at the top of the table.

On Saturday, Liverpool had to dig deep to edge out West Ham at Anfield, bottom club Norwich saw their survival bid further dented after losing at home to Brentford and new Leeds boss Jesse Marsch started his reign with a 1-0 defeat at Leicester.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the main talking points from the latest round of top-flight fixtures.

City slickers leave United in shade

Pep Guardiola’s men continue to build another head of steam after comfortably seeing off their local rivals and coasting to a third straight win in all competitions since the squad’s credentials were questioned following a home defeat by Tottenham. Missing gamechanger Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United were always facing a tall order and at times it looked too easy for City, who swept ahead through Kevin De Bruyne after just five minutes before swiftly putting an end to any hopes of a comeback, despite Jadon Sancho’s fine equaliser against his old club. With a six-point cushion effortlessly restored after a ruthless second-half display, City look well on course for another title, while United face more questions over the direction of their squad under interim manager Ralf Rangnick as they drop to fifth.

Rock-solid Reds rumble on

The records will simply show Liverpool chalked up a seventh straight Premier League win by beating West Ham 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday with a first-half goal from Sadio Mane. But the manner in which they secured what could yet prove to be three crucial points in their title bid said so much more. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp hailed his side’s defending, which saw full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson and midfielder Naby Keita all make goal-preventing tackles. More hard graft at both ends of the pitch lies ahead, but Liverpool’s championship ambitions continue to be built upon the soundest of foundations.

Time looks up for sinking Canaries

Marsch brings fresh perspective

It is not often a 1-0 defeat could be seen as progress, but after shipping 14 goals in the past three Premier League games, new Leeds boss Jesse Marsch is determined to take it that way after hailing “a great first step” to life after Marcelo Bielsa’s reign. The former RB Leipzig coach only had four days to work with the squad and time will tell whether the American’s “fresh perspective” can stop the downward spiral. But with back-to-back home games against Aston Villa and Norwich coming up, the Elland Road faithful will be hoping that turnaround comes soon rather than just end up being too late to make a difference.

Blues must let football do the talking