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3 things we learned in the Premier League this weekend

Peter Cziborra / Reuters

With another round of Premier League action in the books, we take a look back at what happened in the English top flight this weekend.

Pardew's Palace built on sand

The foundations of Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace are tenuous.

On 84 minutes, a three-goal comeback was completed through Christian Benteke's opportunistic poke, but Pardew's accommodating backline - now only Hull City has conceded more - allowed Fernando Llorente to poach two short-distance efforts in injury time and earn Swansea City a sensational 5-4 win.

There are serious problems at Palace. With Scott Dann in defence, Pardew's ranks shouldn't have too many issues when it comes to set-pieces; instead, four of Saturday's five Swans finishes came via those means - a lack of concentration and organisation that makes it the league's worst in that aspect. Half of the 26 goals Palace has let in this season have come from a set-piece.

Pardew is odds-on favourite to lose his job next, and on Saturday, a tough visit from Southampton beckons.

Philippe's feet could be missing for a while

Philippe Coutinho was a cause of astonishment and frustration in equal measure at Liverpool, often showcasing his dazzling footwork and ability to pocket a screamer, but then also having a propensity to drift out of matches and squander possession.

But this season, the Brazilian had brought some consistency into his game. Before Saturday's hosting of Sunderland, he had weighed in with five league goals, five assists, and even more occasions of when his wise movement had pulled defences aside for his colleagues to stream through.

In one of many down points from Didier N'Dong's disastrous performance this weekend, the Gabonese wildly swung in the loose vicinity of the ball when Coutinho cut inside about half an hour into the tie, but instead connected with the Liverpool star's right foot.

Related: Klopp confirms ankle injury as Coutinho leaves Anfield on crutches

Not only could Coutinho be out for some time, that part of that duration may coincide with Sadio Mane's Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal, leaving Jurgen Klopp with Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge as natural replacements alongside Roberto Firmino in the Reds' three-pronged attack.

Chelsea continues to set pace

Chelsea is still top of the pile and is closing in on a better winning run than Jose Mourinho's first tenure at Stamford Bridge:

Tottenham Hotspur started in the ascendancy at Stamford Bridge, hounding the deeper midfielders in Antonio Conte's clan (in a similar vein to how Mauricio Pochettino's approached the win over Manchester City in October) and deservedly led after Christian Eriksen lashed in from distance.

Spurs' defence was depleted due to injuries, however, and therefore exploited. Pedro pranced in the space he was granted by Eric Dier not closing him down, gyrating into an extra couple of yards before swerving a 20-yard beauty.

Victor Moses forced in the decisive goal, assisted by the fantastic Diego Costa. The Blues are the team to beat as we pass a third of the way through the season.

Related - Pole position: Why Chelsea's the team to beat in the Premier League

Around the grounds

Middlesbrough was unfortunate not to take all three points at a woeful Leicester City. Alvaro Negredo got on the scoresheet twice, but each time his strikes were cancelled out by Foxes penalties; the last, of which, was deep in injury time. Most dumbfounding is Leicester's defence, which has gone from uncompromising to unchoreographed, particularly when Robert Huth is as capricious as he was on Saturday.

Mourinho could be in trouble with the Football Association once more after he booted a water bottle 27 minutes into Manchester United's 1-1 home draw with West Ham United and was sent to the stands. It wasn't the worst of the Portuguese's violations in the Premier League - no one was hurt, just some polyethylene - but he's a repeat offender, and has been sent off more times than his whole squad this term.

Elsewhere:

  • Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth
  • Burnley 1-2 Manchester City
  • Hull City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
  • Southampton 1-0 Everton
  • Watford 0-1 Stoke City

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