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3 things we learned in the Premier League this weekend

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP / Getty

As we wait patiently for Monday's Herculean clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Stoke City, theScore takes a look back at what happened in the English top flight's nine other matches this weekend.

Arsenal's baffling knack for well-timed wins

With the vultures circling Wembley last April in a pattern reminiscent of the planes which flew above the Hawthorns a month earlier with mixed messages aimed at Arsene Wenger, Arsenal was shockingly good in bouncing Manchester City from the FA Cup.

The Gunners would pair that spirited semi-final performance with an even better one against rival Chelsea in the final, giving Arsenal a third FA Cup in four tries and Wenger a record seventh. That end-of-season trophy papered over the cracks of a mercurial campaign, and Arsenal was up to its old tricks again Saturday against Tottenham, winning the north London derby with a surprisingly composed display.

Related: 3 takeaways from Arsenal's victory over Tottenham in north London derby

All of this begs two questions: Why can't Arsenal play like this all the time, and how can Wenger habitually snatch reputability from the ashes of a burning effigy of the Frenchman?

The next managerial casualty

Mauricio Pellegrino's plans at Southampton are yet to take hold and Paul Clement's Swansea City seems relegation-bound, but it's the fraying designs of Tony Pulis that should trigger the next Premier League firing.

What are the remaining qualities of Pulis when his defence slackens? West Bromwich Albion's midfield was like a few punctured, unmanned rubber dinghies compared to Chelsea's fleet of bullet-shaped speedboats. For much of the tie, Salomon Rondon confusedly wandered around up front like somebody who'd forgotten why they went upstairs.

Related: Has the Premier League grown too sophisticated for Tony Pulis?

Saturday's 4-0 bashing at home is followed by a trip to Spurs next Saturday. If there was a time for change at West Brom's helm, it was probably during November's international break.

Wilson isn't cowed by his injury woes

Callum Wilson's hat trick against Huddersfield Town was the first time an Englishman mustered a treble this season, and it was a welcome rebirth for a player who's had a torrid time with injuries.

"When he scored a hat trick against West Ham he looked like he had the world at his feet," Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe reflected after a 4-0 win which contributed to the club's leap from 19th to 13th in little over a month.

Wilson's formal introduction to the Premier League at Upton Park was in August 2015, but most of his time since has been spent in the treatment room, attempting to overcome anterior cruciate ligament issues. It was a sorry period for a striker who at times possesses a poachers' instinct reminiscent of Robbie Fowler.

Related: 5 standout performers from Saturday's slate of matches

His chances for England inclusion aren't over. While Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, and other Three Lions regulars failed to register a goal on Saturday, Wilson ran riot. The 25-year-old won a shoving match with Aaron Mooy to head in his first, before lashing in two first-time, right-footed beauties.

Around the grounds

Manchester United 4 - 1 Newcastle: Paul Pogba was in the starting XI and scored, Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his first appearance of the campaign, and Manchester United tallied a quartet of goals in a victory for the fifth time this season to keep rival City in its sights. Newcastle wasn't even that bad - especially in the opening half - though a series of defensive gaffes proved to be the Magpies' undoing as United bulged the bag with great frequency on either sides of the interval to see out the 4-1 victory.

Watford 2 - 0 West Ham: David Moyes' West Ham debut didn't quite go to plan, though it wasn't for a lack of trying. Watford shot-stopper Heurelho Gomes was at his best, especially in the opening stanza, where the fan favourite thwarted Marko Arnautovic twice in two seconds with octopus-like reflexes. Richarlison, who is second in the league only to Harry Kane for shots, doubled-up on Will Hughes' 11th-minute opener that moves Watford eighth while the Irons continue to sink.

Elsewhere:

  • Burnley 2-0 Swansea City
  • Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton
  • Leicester City 0-2 Manchester City
  • Liverpool 3-0 Southampton

Monday: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Stoke City

Jack Butland is one unlucky man. The Stoke shot-stopper was injured again on international duty, allowing Jordan Pickford to impress in his place and meaning his club needs to call upon Lee Grant this Monday. The 34-year-old's performances on loan from Derby County last season were enough to earn him a full-time deal with the Potters, but he was soon frustrated with scant first-team chances when Butland won his place back. Stoke will be hoping one of the most outspoken members of its dressing room is match-ready when he returns to the fold against in-form Brighton.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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