3 things we learned in the Premier League this weekend

As Middlesbrough and Arsenal prepare to close out the latest round of Premier League fixtures on Monday, we take a look back at what happened in the English top flight over the weekend.

Manchester United still pushing for top 4

Momentum, confidence, and form are on Manchester United's side. The Red Devils' 2-0 win versus Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday marked the first time this season that they played well for 90 minutes. A phenomenal performance from Marcus Rashford was at the heart of the result, and Ander Herrera played the role of creator, pulling the strings to open up the Blues' defence.

While Chelsea will have to think about its pursuit of the title, United will be able to focus on its own pursuit. The Red Devils are fifth, only four points outside of the top four and with a game in hand on crosstown rival Manchester City. Jose Mourinho might view the Europa League as his club's ticket to the 2017-18 Champions League, but the Premier League is quickly providing the Special One with a plan B.

United's only defeats in 2017 have come in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup. If the Red Devils can maintain their league form, there's a legitimate possibility that City or Liverpool will miss out on a top-four finish.

'We want Moyes out'

Anger is building at the Stadium of Light. On Saturday, for the first time since David Moyes was appointed Sunderland's manager, the Scottish manager felt the heat of the Black Cats' supporters. "We want Moyes out," they chanted as the club played out a 2-2 draw versus West Ham United. There was also a profanity-filled chant: "David Moyes had a dream, to f--- our football team."

If there were questions about the patience of Sunderland's fans, this was the answer. Criticism of Moyes' tactics, selections, and gloomy demeanour turned into a call for the manager's head.

"I did hear the chants," Moyes admitted, according to the Guardian's Louise Taylor. "But they were to be expected. You have to take it. I just remembered that I've got the third- or fourth-best win record of any Premier League manager."

Sunderland is at the bottom of the Premier League, nine points adrift of safety with only two home games remaining. Wahbi Khazri's goal was the Black Cats' first since the first week of February, ending a run that stood at 701 minutes. Moyes may have one of the best records of any Premier League manager, but his fall from grace is becoming more spectacular with each passing match. Remember that, at this time four years ago, he was about to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson.

Tottenham is utterly rampant

Seven wins in a row. The last time Tottenham Hotspur won seven consecutive matches was 1961, when Bill Nicholson was Spurs manager. The club is also unbeaten in 16 games at home in all competitions, its last defeat coming to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in a battle fought at Wembley Stadium rather than White Hart Lane.

Tottenham's 4-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday continued a run that shows no signs of stopping any time soon, and kept pressure on Chelsea in the Premier League's title race. Spurs was remorseless in its pressing of the ball and its defence was never troubled. The Cherries' fans were reduced to celebrating shots by Junior Stanislas and Charlie Daniels at the end of the match. It was Mauricio Pochettino's side at its most vehement.

In October, Tottenham was held to a scoreless draw by Bournemouth at Dean Court. Given the four-point gap between Spurs and Chelsea in the standings, it's hard to not look at the result and wonder if those two dropped points will come back to haunt Pochettino's squad.

(Photo credits: Action Images)

Elsewhere

• Crystal Palace 2-2 Leicester City
• Everton 3-1 Burnley
• Stoke City 3-1 Hull City
• Watford 1-0 Swansea City
• Southampton 0-3 Manchester City
• West Brom 0-1 Liverpool