10 thoughts from revealing weekend of Premier League action

theScore examines the most important developments and discusses the biggest talking points from another eventful weekend in England's top flight.

Scamacca can flourish in Premier League

There's something very English about Gianluca Scamacca. He battles like a Premier League striker from yesteryear, using his brawn to hold off defenders and beat them in aerial duels, and hits shots with immense power.

That's not to say Scamacca's game is little more than grapple and graft. He doesn't quickly knock the ball down for his teammates; instead, he has the patience to hold onto it longer before displaying the vision and confidence to pick out an incisive pass. The Italian is also more than capable of leading West Ham United's press with his energy.

He has plenty of similarities to a younger version of the player who replaced him 80 minutes into Sunday's 3-1 win over Fulham, Michail Antonio, and Scamacca seemed (and had every right to be) irritated by his substitution. His growing popularity at the London Stadium was evident in his reception as he walked off the pitch.

The exact height of Scamacca's ceiling remains to be seen. He's only 23 and his understanding with 25-year-old Jarrod Bowen - who often moves from his attacking midfield role to join Scamacca up front - is extremely promising. His goal against Fulham was a touch of class as he timed his run perfectly, settled the ball, and then lifted a delicious lob over Bernd Leno.

Although he's still raw, the components for him to be a huge success for West Ham are there. Scamacca probably should've scored a header in the 16th minute that Leno excellently clawed away, but the way he picked himself up and ensured he was the game's standout player was a testament to his mentality.

While it could take time for Scamacca to be a consistent finisher, the £30.5-million fee it cost to sign him from Sassuolo may eventually prove to be a bargain.

Eze will become a star for Palace

It took 18 months for Eberechi Eze to score again in front of his own fans. A lot happened between those goals. Eze suffered an Achilles injury that cost him several months on the sidelines, and Patrick Vieira replaced Roy Hodgson as manager. So the goal on Sunday wasn't just long overdue; it also broke a long spell of hardship that had blighted the progress of one of Crystal Palace's most promising players.

Eze's winner against Leeds United demonstrated all of his qualities in just five seconds. After exchanging passes with Wilfried Zaha, the 24-year-old dribbled along the edge of the area and waited patiently before drawing goalkeeper Illan Meslier to one side and firing into the other. He also made a number of key contributions in midfield, frustrating Leeds whenever they attempted to play through Palace's left-hand side.

Eze's now building on the fine attacking exploits that made him such an attractive player during his formative years in the Championship. Vieira just wants to see him score more goals. Once he does, he'll join Zaha as one of the Premier League's most exciting players.

Arteta's Arsenal is a different beast

In the past, Arsenal were often undone by individual mistakes in big matches. Those haven't been eliminated entirely, but Mikel Arteta's side now has a spirit that gives it the ability to erase errors and take results from positions in which the Gunners previously crumbled.

Lapses such as those that resulted in both Liverpool goals in Arsenal's 3-2 victory are no longer critical. Twice Arsenal led, deservedly, and twice the visitors equalized, undeservedly, and blame could be apportioned to the Gunners' center-backs. Gabriel was unconvincing in defense and didn't sufficiently deal with a long ball prior to Darwin Nunez's tap-in. And William Saliba - who's drawn high praise so far this term - was guilty of poor positioning and movement before Roberto Firmino's leveler.

But Arsenal didn't flinch; they fought. Throughout this team, there are players who won't give in.

From an unfamiliar position at left-back, Takehiro Tomiyasu led the game in aerials won (four), and no one produced more tackles (three) or clearances (six) than the Japanese international. His primary job was to keep tabs on Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool superstar was substituted in the 68th minute.

Wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka tormented Liverpool's full-backs, but perhaps no one epitomized Arsenal's unerring desire to win like Gabriel Jesus. The former Manchester City forward won the penalty for Arsenal's winner and constantly hassled Liverpool's defenders, but one of his crowning moments came when Jurgen Klopp's men tried to find their third equalizer.

Aaron Ramsdale failed to prevent Nunez's dangerous cross but, as the ball rolled invitingly across the 6-yard box, Jesus - tracking back from center-forward - was there to punt it away from danger.

"We are running for each other all of the time. We are a family and everyone is on their toes," Martinelli said post-match.

The aforementioned players stood out for Arsenal but, in truth, the three points were the hosts' reward for a determined collective performance.

Liverpool can't rely on comebacks

Liverpool used to play almost exclusively with the lead - rarely, if ever, allowing opponents a glimmer of hope.

Nowadays, the Reds rarely, if ever, go up 1-0. While they maintain the same fighting spirit that produced some of the best comeback performances in recent memory, they've developed a nasty habit of conceding first. That happened again at the Emirates. Needing just 57 seconds to score, Arsenal forced Liverpool to react once more.

The numbers are damning: Klopp's side has allowed the first goal in 10 of its last 12 matches in the Premier League and trailed for 287 minutes thus far this season. Last year, they almost always went into the break with the lead.

Liverpool's confidence has clearly evaporated, and Klopp is aware of his players' lack of belief. But the issue is equally tactical in nature. At various points of Sunday's defeat, the visitors looked like a collection of spare parts. The front four struggled to connect with Klopp's two central midfielders, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson, and the full-backs played with fear.

That's what happens when a team becomes unstuck. Usually so compact, Liverpool have been playing largely irresponsible football, making it far too easy for forward-thinking sides like Arsenal to break at pace and find seams through the middle of the pitch.

Klopp didn't even waste too much time complaining about the penalty that eventually won Arsenal the match. He knows his team isn't doing enough to put itself in a position to win. The softest of calls won't distract the manager from his current reality.

Time for Ten Hag to roll with Ronaldo

As Anthony Martial walked off the pitch with his second injury of the season, Cristiano Ronaldo waited for his moment under the floodlights. He looked nothing like the jaded superstar the English media had tried so hard to sell. If anything, he looked fresh, motivated, and as ready as ever to make a contribution, sharing a laugh with the fourth official before running onto the pitch with purpose. Fourteen minutes later, he scored the 700th goal of his club career.

Ronaldo, who's barely said a word since Erik ten Hag dropped him from Manchester United's starting lineup, finally responded on the pitch. His goal gave United the lift they needed in an otherwise disappointing first half, and it reminded everyone of his ability to run off the shoulder of defenders. Even at 37 years old, Ronaldo can win a foot race.

He can also play the type of football Ten Hag wants to see from his team. Ronaldo did his best work on Sunday outside the 18-yard box, with the vast majority of his touches coming in midfield. Few could ever imagine Ronaldo racing back to win possession, but he did just that in the 66th minute, hitting fifth gear before dispossessing Alex Iwobi in his own half. Ronaldo seemed to make a point of the fact that he can and will contribute defensively.

So the time has come for Ten Hag to recognize Ronaldo as less of a problem and more of a solution. Reward his patience with a string of starts before the World Cup begins in late November. Because there's no reason to keep him on the bench any longer.

Here are the main talking points from Saturday's matches ...

That's why Cancelo gets KDB-esque privileges

Manuel Akanji at right-back wasn't the neatest fit. He's been a revelation for Manchester City in the center, but his unruffled style and physicality aren't well-suited to the side of a back-four. Deploying Akanji in that position also meant Joao Cancelo continued to operate as a right-sided left-back rather than on his natural flank.

Within 20 minutes, it became clear why Pep Guardiola decided this was the way City would attack Southampton in Saturday's 4-0 win.

The protection of three center-halfs across the rest of the back-four - Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, and Akanji - boosted Cancelo's creative freedom to a level only Kevin De Bruyne can rival in Guardiola's squad. Cancelo still followed tactical instructions as he balanced right-winger Riyad Mahrez's width by staying wide on the left in a lopsided formation. But when he had the ball, he had a license to gamble.

Cancelo's first-half touches vs. Southampton:

Few City players would have the audacity (or don't have Guardiola's consent) to attempt a cross like Cancelo did in the 13th minute. He could've shifted back, freeing himself of Kyle Walker-Peters and opening up an easy pass to an unmarked De Bruyne at the edge of the box. Instead, Cancelo struck the ball with the outside of his right foot for a near-impossible delivery toward Riyad Mahrez. And, of course, it swerved to its intended target near the back post: Mahrez's skied effort denied one of the best goals of the season.

His strike to open the scoring summed up his day's work. Cancelo received the ball in a wide area but then took it upon himself to pick at Southampton's seams. He had chances to pass and allow City to patiently create a chance, but he opted to surge upfield, twist James Ward-Prowse in knots, and finish past Gavin Bazunu with his left foot.

The Premier League is awash in quality full-backs, but they often stay wide or move inside. Cancelo - who also teed up Erling Haaland for his goal - does it all.

Newcastle’s improvement unmistakeable since takeover

There's yet to be a parade celebrating Newcastle United collecting a Premier League title. Nor has there been a League Cup or FA Cup trophy to lift. Fans haven't even had a chance to make the long trip south to watch their beloved club feature in a cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Many expected instant success following the transformative and controversial Saudi Arabia-backed takeover on Oct. 7, 2021. But despite the lack of silverware, there's plenty to be excited about since Magpies fans awoke to the news that their team was on the brink of a seismic change.

The product on the pitch is vastly improved, with several new players introduced to revamp the relegation-threatened squad that manager Eddie Howe took over just weeks after Newcastle's newfound wealth was confirmed. But, while many expected lucrative transfers straight away, Newcastle have taken their time to develop the squad with shrewd signings. The club also allowed players from the previous regime to grow without concerns about being replaced.

12 months before takeover

12 months after takeover

Bruno Guimaraes, one of the most impactful arrivals since joining from Lyon in 2021 in a deal worth up to £40 million, helped further transform Newcastle into a top-10 team Saturday after scoring a brace in a 5-1 win against Brentford. Meanwhile, the in-form Miguel Almiron, who arrived before the takeover, proved why he's worthy of a weekly starting place with his fourth goal in nine Premier League appearances.

The current approach has helped push the club into the top half of the table. However, a similarly intelligent course of action, with perhaps more money to spend, in the transfer windows ahead may help Newcastle's bid to solidify a place among the Premier League's elite. It might even turn the big six into the big seven.

O'Neil's stock rises while Rodgers falls further

Beating Leicester City isn't the feat it used to be. The fate of Brendan Rodgers' side appears entirely dependent on the form of James Maddison - the only player with the confidence or capacity to produce something unexpected - so Bournemouth crowded him out on the south coast.

It's what every team should do.

But while Adam Smith worked to frustrate Maddison, Bournemouth caretaker manager Gary O'Neil still ensured he had enough players capable of wiping out Patson Daka's early goal to secure a 2-1 comeback victory.

Lewis Cook resisted the Foxes' press but was more involved in attacks than in recent weeks. He logged two key passes and made intelligent, late runs to create space for his teammates. Philip Billing established himself in English football as a defensive midfielder alongside Jonathan Hogg at Huddersfield Town. However, at Dean Court, Billing kept close to Cherries striker Dominic Solanke, drawing four fouls and crucially smashing the ball home to kick-start Bournemouth's turnaround.

For the most part, Bournemouth's fixtures during O'Neil's five-match tenure have been kind. But his return of nine points surely makes the former midfielder securing the full-time gig almost a formality. And O'Neil has done it while Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, who attended Saturday's fixture, closes in on a takeover of the club.

Mount begins to show quality

Rarely do Chelsea ever promote an academy graduate to the first team. It's even rarer for the club to keep them there.

That's not to say that Mason Mount, one of the fortunate few who've made it stick at Stamford Bridge, has had an easy ride. Fans have been quick to turn on Mount. Many more held the 23-year-old partially responsible for the club's poor start to the season.

But the mood's changed since Graham Potter took the reins in September. Mount's back in the starting lineup and contributing again in the final third. He starred in Saturday's 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, setting up two of the goals in a virtuoso performance that reminded fans and critics of the quality in his locker.

Mount thrived in the free-roaming role Potter afforded him Saturday. He linked up with teammates on the edge of the 18-yard box and sent in the cross that Kai Havertz converted in first-half stoppage time.

Potter has extracted the best from Mount precisely because he trusts him with the ball. He's not asked to defend nearly as much as he was under Thomas Tuchel, and he rarely plays the full 90 minutes. He can now give more of himself in a shorter period - at least until he becomes an undisputed starter. Potter seems to have established individual programs based on each player's strengths and weaknesses. Mount is one of the players who's benefited from the manager's personal touch.

Other academy graduates are getting the same boost. Ruben Loftus-Cheek started ahead of Jorginho on Tuesday against AC Milan, and Conor Gallagher earned his third start of the season Saturday. Trevoh Chalobah also proved himself as a viable option in defense, remaining unbeaten as a Premier League starter.

Kane saves struggling Spurs attack again

Tottenham Hotspur bounced back from a rough week with a hard-fought victory over a tough Brighton & Hove Albion outfit. It was a big boost for a team that came under fire following defeat in the north London derby and a lackluster goalless outing in the Champions League. The club was dealing with losing a member of Antonio Conte's backroom staff.

Harry Kane's first-half strike was the difference in helping Tottenham climb back into the top three of the table with their sixth win in nine games. However, victory did little to mask concern about their underachieving attack that - excluding a blowout win over last-place Leicester City - stretches back to early September.

After Kane's strike 22 minutes into the game, almost 40 minutes passed before Tottenham registered another attempt on goal in the second half. Luckily, the defense offset their inability to create chances in the final third and, along with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, was vital down the stretch during long periods of attacking pressure by Brighton.

It's difficult to pinpoint the exact issues plaguing Antonio Conte's sterile forwards. From a lack of service from the middle of the pitch to Heung-min Son's well-publicized goal drought earlier this season, there are many factors behind the club's dip in form. But it's difficult to envision Conte altering his conservative approach anytime soon, especially if Kane, who has eight goals in nine games, keeps scoring to save Spurs from themselves.