1) Martial artistry spurring Manchester United

The delight in watching Anthony Martial is that he continues to force himself into the consciousness. At the moment all notices about the headline-making forward have to come with the caveat that he is only 19 and these are early days in his nascent Manchester United career. Martial’s display in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford, however, again pointed to how good he could be. This time there was no fifth goal in five appearances. Instead, every ball into him stuck. His pace stretched the opposition as a No9 in Louis van Gaal’s compact football “philosophy” has to. There was also a creative brilliance that ensured Wayne Rooney ended his Premier League goal drought on 999 minutes. Taking charge inside Sunderland’s area, Martial made mugs of two defenders before firing the ball straight to his captain, who finished. Afterwards Rooney said: “He’s been incredible. He’s a young lad, we have to remember that. He’s a 19-year-old lad who doesn’t speak English. Moving over to France from England with a young family, so we have to understand that, but the start he’s had has been incredible. He’ll be a big player for us throughout the season and in the future but we need to let him enjoy his football and I’m sure he’ll bring magic moments for us.” He already is – and there will be some surprise if he does not continue to do so. Jamie Jackson

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Louis van Gaal discusses his team’s 3-0 win over Sunderland.

2) Sturridge shows Liverpool what they were missing

Liverpool have a capacity to veer between extremes. In 2013-14, Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge scored 52 league goals between them. Last season, their four specialist strikers mustered a mere eight, which, to put it another way, was fewer than Everton’s back four managed. Sturridge struck twice in eight minutes against Aston Villa on Saturday, which was all the more remarkable as it was only the second game of his comeback and, until his lovely volley, he had looked decidedly rusty. Yet the old instincts kicked in when James Milner lofted a pass over the Villa defence. Lovely combination play with Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings followed when he scored a second and could have completed a hat-trick. Sturridge, with 37 goals in 57 games, now has the best goal-per-game ratio of any Liverpool striker in the Premier League: better than Suárez, Fernando Torres, Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler. Potent strikers have the capacity to camouflage a myriad of failings elsewhere in the team. Sturridge’s unavailability for much of last season, and the reality that he was not fully fit for some of the 12 league games when he did take the field, is a cause of their underachievement in the past 13 months. Despite Liverpool’s decidedly mixed record in the transfer market, the pressure on the manager, Brendan Rodgers, may be rather less today if he had been able to call upon a fully fit Sturridge ever since Suárez was sold. Richard Jolly

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Brendan Rodgers discusses his belief that there is an ongoing campaign to force him out of the club.

3) Chelsea show signs of revival despite poor first-half showing

It’s always possible to read too much into anything that José Mourinho says but it was interesting that the Chelsea manager chose this game, a draw yanked from the jaws of defeat, to lay into his players, with previous adverse results this season supposedly the result of anything from refereeing decisions to cruel fate. Particularly since the belated revival at St James’ Park could be a further sign that their latent spirit is returning, perhaps even more so than a win over Arsenal because, well, Chelsea always beat Arsenal. Mourinho not defeating Arsène Wenger in a competitive game would be less a symbol of struggles at Chelsea and more a sign that the seas were about to boil, rise and claim us all. Sure, it took Chelsea about 75 minutes to wake up and there are troubling holes in their defence, easily unpicked by a Newcastle side who had previously scored three league goals all season and who lost to Sheffield Wednesday’s reserves in the week, but wake up they did. Ramires, a curious player who seems as likely to trip over his own shoelaces as score a screamer, did the latter and along with his countryman Willian provided some spark and purpose to Chelsea, as well as their two goals. Perhaps more encouraging were signs that Eden Hazard is showing some form, the Belgian buzzing around and doing his very best to create something – anything – to awaken his slumbering team. If the game had gone on for a further five minutes, Chelsea would probably have found another goal and all three points and the old cliche is that this sort of comeback is often regarded as the sign of champions. On the day that Manchester City suffered their second successive league defeat, crumbling alarmingly at Tottenham, there is enough to suggest that the obituaries for Chelsea’s season are premature. Nick Miller

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Chelsea’s José Mourinho: Newcastle draw was down to awful individual performances.

4) Skill on show at King Power Stadium lifted the soul

It is, of course, up to advocates of “The Beautiful Game” to make their point with the result but sometimes you just need your soul lifting and Saturday’s match between Leicester City and Arsenal did that. There will be sneering about tactical naivety, no doubt, but surely it can only be good to think there will have been be youngsters at the King Power Stadium inspired by the artistry and attitude on display, the skill and speed of thought, as well as of movement and, marvellously, the lack of cynicism. Oh, and one other thing: perhaps even his detractors, and there are many, will soon have to acknowledge Jamie Vardy – who not so long ago was playing non-league football and is clearly still learning, and improving with every game – is actually a better player than they are currently prepared to admit. Richard Rae

5) Lamela fires Pochettino’s feelgood factor

Mauricio Pochettino was in high spirits after Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 win over Manchester City and said he was ready to enjoy an evening at the rugby, having got tickets to England v Wales at Twickenham. Who would he support? “It’s difficult because my son has a Welsh girlfriend,” the Tottenham manager said with a smile. “But England, England, England.” There was also an acknowledgment from Pochettino about what is becoming his lucky suit. His parents, who watch Tottenham’s matches on TV in Argentina, have complained about him looking scruffy in a tracksuit and so Pochettino wore the suit for the Europa League win over Qarabag. He reverted to the tracksuit for the Capital One Cup defeat by Arsenal but he was back in the suit against City. His mother thinks he looks delgado or slim in it. Surely, it has to stay? Life felt good for Pochettino and it was because of his players’ performance against City. There was a goal, at last, for Harry Kane and more encouragement from Eric Dier in defensive midfield but arguably the biggest boon was Érik Lamela’s man-of-the-match display. Lamela, the £30m record signing from Roma, has been eternally frustrating. The raw talent is there but, so often, his decision-making has been poor. There had been flashes in his previous three appearances – the vital assist at Sunderland; the well-taken goal against Qarabag and the role in the winning goal against Crystal Palace. Against City, it came together for him in a performance marked by nice touches, driving runs and even a handful of tackles. He set up the second goal; won the free-kick for the third; scored the fourth and departed to a standing ovation. Whisper it: is Lamela finding his groove? David Hytner

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tottenham Hotspur fans rise to their feet for Eric Lamela. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

6) Watford still lack an attacking edge

Watford’s start to the season has to be filed under encouraging but one goal from their first four home games is a fairly accurate reflection of a side that flourishes in the greater spaces they sometimes find on their travels but is too easily frustrated at home. In particular, José Manuel Jurado has done little so far to suggest that he offers more than impressive close control and a variety of clever flicks and touches in peripheral areas – though against Crystal Palace he did hit the woodwork with a nicely lofted free-kick. Their other wide midfielder, Almen Abdi, played reasonably well, but whoever occupies these key positions must offer more of an attacking edge. There are alternatives of sorts – the Dutch winger Steven Berghuis is a work in progress but played for half an hour, hitting one notably dismal set piece that barely got off the ground, while the Colombian forward Victor Ibarbo made a vaguely promising cameo. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, showed the benefit of direct running, pacy widemen, with Yannick Bolasie giving Allan Nyom a hugely uncomfortable first half and Bakary Sako and second-half substitute Wilfried Zaha, who won the decisive penalty, also contributing. Watford would have no threat down the flanks whatsoever were it not for Ikechi Anya’s bursts from left-back, and though as a team they have had more success away from home those floating wide midfielders are yet to contribute an assist at any venue. Whether this is an issue with individuals or with the system, it is one that Quique Sánchez Flores needs to sort out. Simon Burnton

7) Mitrovic and Pérez pairing gives Newcastle hope

Fresh from flattening expectations that they would receive a drubbing at the hands of Chelsea, Newcastle United now go to Manchester City with hope rekindled. Having lost at home to Watford and Sheffield Wednesday in their previous two games, Newcastle improved dramatically to draw 2-2 with Chelsea. It was a performance that José Mourinho said was “typical of a team that wins nothing” because it proves Newcastle’s players are unreliable. Steve McClaren was not insulted by this. He agrees: “I will be levelling the same [accusation] at the players. Heis exactly right. We did it at Old Trafford, against Arsenal and now Chelsea. Now, come on. It is Man City next, so come on. This is a tough league. You have to do it every week.” Because of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s three-match suspension, and because Ayoze Pérez has been superseded by summer recruits, the pair had only started one game together before the Chelsea match. That was the 0-0 draw at Manchester United. Against Chelsea both were effective and, along with Georginio Wijnaldum, took the game to the champions. Their positivity spread throughout the team and the stadium. “We have not had Mitrovic for three games and we need that,” McClaren said. “The way we want to play, he is such an important part of it. If you do not have that presence and that ability, Pérez does not have the freedom to play like he does.” Michael Walker

8) Jerome’s lack of form a worry for Norwich

Cameron Jerome’s inability to convert clear opportunities in both halves at Upton Park – hitting the side netting when through on goal in the first period before being denied from 10 yards by Adrián’s face at 1-1 in the second – appears to be of at least slight concern for Alex Neil considering the way he growled when asked about the 29-year-old’s form. The Norwich manager’s first-choice striker has found the net only once this season, in the win over Bournemouth, but is preaching patience. “The biggest thing for strikers as far as I’m concerned is they are getting chances. If they are not getting chances then it’s a worry,” Neil said. “He had a good chance, it was unfortunate he missed it but hopefully he gets the next one.” Jerome’s link-up play has been very good but a striker finding the net is crucial to their hopes of remaining in the Premier League. If he does not find his range soon, then an unlikely recall for Lewis Grabban might be on the cards. Alan Smith

9) Van Dijk an excellent addition to Southampton’s defence

Southampton’s crest should include a salamander. The reptile famed for its ability to regenerate lost limbs would be a fitting emblem for a club that continues to find excellent replacements for departed stalwarts. Virgil van Dijk is emerging as yet another shrewd addition. The £11.5m recruit from Celtic – from whom Southampton have a good purchase history, having previously bought Fraser Foster and Victor Wanyama – looks like a bargain and not just in comparison to the £20m that Liverpool paid Saints for Dejan Lovren last year. Ronald Koeman said Van Dijk put in “a perfect performance” during the 0-0 draw on his debut at West Bromwich Albion two weeks ago but that description could not have been exact – because the 24-year-old’s performance against Swansea City was even better. Not only did he bring a serene solidity to defence, he also built well from the back and was sharp at the other end, opening the scoring with a fine header from a corner and coming close to another goal with a well-struck free-kick in the second half. With Van Dijk alongside José Fonte, and Ryan Bertrand making an excellent return from injury, Southampton’s defence is regaining its strength. Paul Doyle

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Virgil van Dijk, far left, celebrates scoring the first goal against Swansea City. Photograph: BPI/Rex Shutterstock

10) Bournemouth need Murray’s nous

What wretched luck for Callum Wilson. On the day when he spoke about how he overcame the injuries that blighted him during his teenage years, Bournemouth’s top scorer was hurt in a collision with Stoke City’s Philipp Wollscheid and although he tried to carry on, Wilson collapsed in agony moments later and was taken off on a stretcher. Eddie Howe’s side lost a tight game without him and it will be a huge blow to Bournemouth’s hopes of staying up if Wilson is ruled out for a long time, especially with Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings already out with serious knee injuries. Wilson has scored five goals this season, including a hat-trick in the win over West Ham, and his speed, movement, quick thinking and sharpness in the box has given their attack a cutting edge. Can Joshua King, another fast forward, step up in Wilson’s absence? The early signs are that the former Blackburn Rovers striker is not quite polished enough at this level but Bournemouth do not need to panic yet. Glenn Murray, another striker who knows what it is like to be cut down by a knee injury at an inopportune moment, is waiting in the wings and although he is a different kind of player to Wilson, his wily, grizzled forward play could prove to be an asset for Bournemouth. He knows what is required in the Premier League, having scored seven goals in 12 matches at the end of last season for Crystal Palace, and he could ensure that Bournemouth will not feel the loss of Wilson too keenly. Jacob Steinberg