Premier League review: Shades of Pep’s Barca from Man City

James Sharman, Danny Dichio and Craig Forrest break down Saturday's biggest games in the Premier Leauge and preview Sunday's marquee match up between Chelsea and Arsenal.

Here’s what happened in the Premier League this weekend, in case you missed it…

READ ALL ABOUT IT

• Friday: Defoe off the mark in Bournemouth win
• Saturday: Another loss for Palace, Man City thumps Watford and more
• Sunday: Gunners draw Chelsea and Rooney returns to Old Trafford

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Bournemouth 2, Brighton & Hove Albion 1 || Crystal Palace 0, Southampton 1 || Huddersfield Town 1, Leicester City 1 || Liverpool 1, Burnley 1 || Newcastle United 2, Stoke City 1 || Watford 0, Manchester City 6 || West Bromwich Albion 0, West Ham United 0 || Tottenham 0, Swansea City 0 || Chelsea 0, Arsenal 0 || Manchester United 4, Everton 0 ||

WHAT STOOD OUT

Shades of Pep’s old Barca from Man City
It’s taken Pep Guardiola more than a year, but Manchester City is starting to play like the Barcelona side he previously managed that swept all before them.

The Citizens currently top the table, tied on 13 points with city rivals Manchester United, after embarrassing Watford 6-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday. It was the latest beat down by Pep’s side, coming on the heels of last week’s 5-0 win over Liverpool and a 4-0 decision over Feyenoord in a midweek Champions League contest.

Whereas City struggled to break down opponents last season and looked disjointed in attack, now they’re playing some swashbuckling soccer and brushing aside opponents with ease.

Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus accounted for four of City’s six goals on Saturday, with the South American pair building upon what is turning out to be a very fruitful relationship.

“It was so good, especially after an away game in the Champions League,” Guardiola said after the game. “I was lucky to manage Barcelona with many outstanding performances but this week has been a lot of goals. We have found our game, we can make short passes, and we have a lot of energy from our full backs.”

Many positives for Arsenal in draw vs. Chelsea

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BEST MOMENT

Wayne Rooney received a warm welcome from his former teammates and Jose Mourinho prior to kickoff at Old Trafford:

BEST QUOTE

“I’m looking at Roy [Hodgson] as I’m watching the game and he doesn’t inspire me. I’m looking at him thinking, what is he going to do?” – Joey Barton to radio station talkSPORT.

BEST GOAL

BEST MATCH

It was the least competitive game of the week, but watching the way Manchester City dismantled Watford at Vicarage Road was pretty awe-inspiring.

BEST TWEET

THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME

Mario Lemina has proven to be a shrewd summer pickup by Southampton. The Gabon international combines solid distribution skills, with a keen defensive awareness. It was largely because of his dominating play in midfield against Crystal Palace that Southampton was able to comfortably boss Saturday’s contest at Selhurst Park.

CRISIS CLUB OF THE WEEK: CRYSTAL PALACE

THE BIG QUESTION

Every week, Sportsnet’s soccer panel will debate The Big Question. Have your say by voting in the poll below:

SIX PACK OF STATS

• Crystal Palace is the first side in English top-flight history to open the season with five defeats and no goals scored.
• Gareth Barry is the first player to earn 600 career starts in the Premier League.
• Manchester City have scored more goals (eight) in their last two Premier League games at Vicarage Road than Watford (seven goals) have in their last eight games at their home ground.
• Each of Xherdan Shaqiri’s last six Premier League goals have been scored from outside the box.
• Chelsea failed to score in a competitive home match under Antonio Conte for the first time 27 games on Sunday.
• Anthony Martial has scored three goals in his last five Premier League games, as many goals as in his previous 19 matches.
Stats courtesy of Opta

THREE STARS

1) Sergio Aguero, Manchester City: Scored a hat trick and set up another goal in the Blues’ romp over Watford.
2) Nick Pope, Burnley: The young goalkeeper was sensational in his first Premier League start, making eight saves to help Burnley earn a draw at Anfield.
3) Mario Lemina, Southampton: Was a dominant force in midfield as the Saints earned the win away to Crystal Palace.

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