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5 things we learned in the Premier League this weekend: Costly Arsenal loss

Dylan Martinez / Reuters

With another weekend of Premier League action in the books, we take a look back at some of what we learned from the latest slate of matches.

Dele Alli dazzles again

Dele Alli's flick over the head of Mile Jedinak and 20-yard volley beyond Wayne Hennessey has drawn comparisons to Paul Gascoigne's famed strike against Scotland at Euro '96, but it was better than that. It's easily the front-runner for goal of the season.

Tottenham's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday has the North London club just five points short of table-topping Leicester City, and Alli's exploits in the middle of the park have England fans rubbing their hands at the prospect of the youngster lining up for its Euro 2016 opener in Marseille against Russia on June 11.

A natural cure for insomnia

Louis van Gaal tested the resolve of 75,000 eyelids once again, as Manchester United tentatively worked around the 18-yard box as if it was an impenetrable force field.

The host's one shot on target came from outside the area, although this isn't exactly surprising as it mustered just one shot from inside there all afternoon. Southampton took advantage of United's lack of penetration, winning 1-0 through a late header from substitute and debutant Charlie Austin.

The Dutchman is on borrowed time, but if we're going by his watch, it'll feel like a lifetime.

A Carrow Road classic

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had no issue sacrificing his spectacles for Adam Lallana's late winner in a thriller at Norwich City.

Related: Benteke breaks Klopp's glasses during wild celebration of win over Norwich

The first half creaked and shuddered before bursting into life in the second stanza. The final score was 5-4, and if it wasn't for Lee Mason's whistle, the pair would be trading blows now.

It's Alex Neil who is left picking up the pieces, though, after a hurtful, confidence-shattering loss that leaves his side just two points ahead of the relegation places. The centre-halves practically rolled out a red carpet for the away side on Saturday, and Norwich fans will be resting many hopes on new signing Timm Klose to shore things up at the back.

Swansea capitalises on Northeast struggles

Swansea City provided a shock at Everton that reverberated in Tyne and Wear.

Andre Ayew's deflected effort in the 34th minute was enough to take all the spoils, although two points should've been snatched away at the death when Seamus Coleman inexplicably lofted over from under three yards out with the last kick.

Newcastle United's and Sunderland's dropping of points on Saturday leaves the pair in the bottom three, with tough matches against Everton for the former and Manchester City for the latter coming up.

Related: Assessing Sunderland's chances of avoiding the drop

Chelsea unconvincing in defeat of 10-man Arsenal

Whether Per Mertesacker made contact in his challenge on Diego Costa as the Spaniard honed down on the Gunners' goal is a matter of debate, but the dismissal was unfortunately the pivotal moment of the weekend's marquee match.

Chelsea's 1-0 defeat of Arsenal on Sunday was wholly unconvincing despite a one-man advantage from 18 minutes. The home side was gifted a host of opportunities in the second half but, unfortunately for Arsene Wenger, much of them landed at the feet of the reckless Mathieu Flamini.

That's eight points from a possible 18 since Arsenal defeated Manchester City before Christmas. Does anyone want to win this league?

# Team Played Goal difference Points
1 Leicester City 23 16 47
2 Manchester City 23 22 44
3 Arsenal 23 15 44
4 Tottenham Hotspur 23 22 42

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