Mourinho isn't losing the plot just yet

The back pages on Sunday morning read for uncomfortable yet familiar reading for the Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who was sent to the stands at half-time during their 0-0 draw with Burnley.

These headlines are a bit premature though, given the reports all reflect Mourinho's stadium ban two years ago while he was at Chelsea. What happened that season? They won the title.

Mourinho has never been an angel on the sidelines, and if he was hoping to deflect any attention away from the blatant dive from Matteo Darmian in an effort to win a penalty that so incensed him, he has achieved it. Mourinho has often taken the focus away from his players to protect them, and Saturday's incident - which could lead to another stadium ban - was nothing that we haven't seen before.

Giroud gives Wenger plenty to ponder

Olivier Giroud is finally up and running, over two-and-a-half months into the season. The Frenchman was given an extra rest after Euro 2016, and upon his return to the side, he picked up a red card in Europe as well as a toe injury to hamper his playing time.

But Saturday's 4-1 victory over Sunderland proved to be the Arsenal striker's moment to shine, as he scored goals with his first two touches to put the Gunners out of sight moments after Jermain Defoe had pegged them back with a penalty.

The conundrum now for Arsene Wenger is that Alexis Sanchez continues to flourish in a central role, so can he move the Chile international to accommodate Giroud? Chances are he won't, but Giroud's already proven a handy option to have on the substitutes' bench.

Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jordan Pickford – 5 out of 10 He was kept busy from the off, but he just didn’t have what was required – as reflected by the four Arsenal goals. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Billy Jones – 5 out of 10 Did his job at the back, but it wasn’t enough against the pacey of the Arsenal attackers. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings John O’Shea – 6 out of 10 He was leading by example and captaining his side appropriately, until he went off with a hamstring injury. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Lamine Kone – 5 out of 10 The centre-back worked hard, but a number of his tackles were mistimed and unnecessary. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Patrick van Aanholt – 6 out of 10 Lost possession a number of times, but on the whole, he done well and we saw glimpses of brilliance from him. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jack Rodwell – 5 out of 10 Had a quiet performance by a man of his standards and ability – he should have done more. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Steven Pienaar – 5 out of 10 Failed to provide anything in the attacking third and gave away too many fouls. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Didier Ndong – 6 out of 10 He was a strong element to the Sunderland side – he was tackling well and done well with possession. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Wahbi Khazri – 5 out of 10 After showing early sights of skill and trickery that was beating the Arsenal players, this fizzed out and he was kept out of the game by the Gunners. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Duncan Watmore – 7 out of 10 He was one of the best Sunderland players today, showing his pace down the wing and his eye for creativity. He also did well to win the penalty. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jermain Defoe – 6 out of 10 Despite his late goal, he had a very quiet performance by his standards and was uninvolved throughout. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Petr Cech – 6 out of 10 Had very little to do throughout, but when he was called on – he done the job. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Hector Bellerin – 6 out of 10 Showed his attacking prowess throughout as he bombed down the flanks and was regularly called upon to whip a ball into the dangerzone. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Shkodran Mustafi – 6 out of 10 Worked well at the back – he maintained possession well and defended effectively. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Laurent Koscielny – 7 out of 10 A typical Koscielny performance. He ran the line well, defended well and dominated at the back. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Keiran Gibbs – 7 out of 10 He attacked very well today and was regularly used down the left wing. His crosses were causing problems for Sunderland. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mohamed Elneny – 6 out of 10 Did his job in the middle of the park. He passed well and created chances. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Francis Coquelin – 6 out of 10 Battled very well throughout and won a number of fouls in the middle of the park. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7 out of 10 Recalling the Ox today was the correct decision from Wenger – he worked hard, passed well and battled throughout. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mesut Ozil – 6 out of 10 His creativity was faultless as per usual – but should have done better in front of goal himself. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Iwobi – 5 out of 10 He worked well with Gibbs down the left hand side, but was poor in possession from time to time. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alexis Sanchez – 9 out of 10 An all-round fantastic performance from the 27 year old. His attacking play was impeccable and he deserved his two goals. Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Fabregas' time at Chelsea is up

The upturn in form at Chelsea appears to be the final nail in the coffin of Cesc Fabregas's stay at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder is currently sidelined with injury, but he struggled to break into Antonio Conte's side when there were three midfield slots and, now there are two, he simply doesn't fit into this side.

N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic have strengthened Conte's defence to over a protective shield, and if Conte is only going to deploy two central midfielders, Fabregas will not get a look-in. The question is does he leave in January or stick it out until the end of the season?

Palace continue to expose Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities

For all of Liverpool's entertainment, they simply cannot defend against the high ball. Twice, Crystal Palace pegged them back in their 4-2 defeat by the Reds through James McArthur headers when they failed to clear their lines, and goalkeeper Loris Karius continues to fall short in proving he has what it takes to be a No 1 goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Dejan Lovren was at fault for both of Palace's goals, with his scooped clearance gifting McArthur a headed chance that led to Karius rushing out of goal only to leave his hands by his side and not raised to try and block the shot. The second saw Lovren pay too much attention to former Reds striker Christian Benteke, allowing McArthur to gain a step and level the scores for a second time.

Liverpool are breathtaking to watch right now, but you can be sure that Jurgen Klopp would rather see Lovren defending properly than going up the other end to score.

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Nolito lucky not to see red

If there's one thing that can end a career under Pep Guardiola, it is a failure to learn from your mistakes. Nolito fell short of this on Saturday as Manchester City thrashed West Brom 4-0, as he could have been sent off for a second head butt this season.

Nolito has already seen red for headbutting Bournemouth's Adam Smith, and when he reacted badly to a fair challenge from Craig Dawson, he again thrust his head into the face of an opponent. He was lucky to receive only a yellow card, and Sergio Aguero's reaction to calm him down immediately shows even his teammates have concerns about his temper.

Ramirez finally turns on the style for Boro

The one team beyond Sunderland to have disappointed so far this season has been Middlesbrough, following a string of turgid displays. That wasn't the case on Saturday, as Gaston Ramirez scored a wonderful goal in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

Picking the ball up in his own half, the Uruguayan ran past three defenders while outpacing Jack Wilshere, and coolly lashed the ball past Artur Boruc to open the scoring.

If Boro can come up with play matching the wonderful strike in terms of quality, then maybe there will be plenty to cheer at the Riverside after all this season.

Can Barkley add consistency to his undoubted talent?

Sunday was one of those rare days when Ross Barkley looks like the world beater he's been billed as. Far too much pressure has been put on the young England midfielder, and as a result he too often tries to take on the burden of beating every man on the opposite team that usually ends up with him losing possession.

The 2-0 win over West Ham though saw Barkley back at his best, and mainly because he put a bigger emphasis on distributing the ball rather than doing it all himself. The midfielder smartly delayed his run into the box so that Romelu Lukaku could pick him out unmarked to score the second goal with a controlled half-volley, and he was rightly awarded man of the match.