1 Giroud has more to offer

Olivier Giroud could be the anti-Chamakh. Unflattering comparisons have been drawn between the Frenchman and the almost-forgotten Moroccan but they are not entirely justified. Yes, Giroud had a bad miss against Chelsea, to go with similar errors in previous appearances, and a return of one goal from eight matches so far is paltry after an outlay of £13m. But the Frenchman's movement, strength and interplay have all been good, suggesting that if he can rediscover the touch that enabled him to score almost a goal every two games in the admittedly inferior French league, then he will give Arsenal a more reliable forward presence than the one provided by the infuriating Gervinho and Theo Walcott. Marouane Chamakh, lest we forget, hit 11 goals in his first 22 games for Arsenal before drying up. Giroud is a slower starter but should turn out to be a much surer finisher too. Paul Doyle

2 Southampton's case for the defence

It is no exaggeration to say that every Premier League team would have struggled against Everton's outstanding end to the first half at Goodison Park on Saturday. But few would have been as open as Southampton, their defences so unprotected. Nigel Adkins has a fine attacking unit that, with Gastón Ramirez at its heart, adheres to his attacking principles and has a fair chance of securing survival. But stronger, more disciplined defenders would magnify those prospects. There is a delicate balancing act to get right at St Mary's before pursuing such players in January. Andy Hunter

3 Manchester City's form is returning

Manchester City have been disrupted to date, the defence of their Premier League title having been hampered with Sergio Agüero injured for a period, Mario Balotelli peripheral and David Silva searching for last season's form. But, by the end of their victory at Craven Cottage, they looked like a side who had recalled their qualities. Silva, in particular, buzzed effectively to suggest form is flooding back. "They almost played 4-2-4 at the end," said Fulham's Martin Jol, whose side could not contain the visitors forever. Others may have caught the eye to date but City are coming. Dominic Fifield

4 The advent of a new improved Gerrard?

Amid the seven goals, penalty shouts and sporadically shambolic defending (from both sides) at Carrow Road, one other moment sticks out. Midway through the first half Steven Gerrard picked the ball up 50 yards out and attempted one of those long, looping Hollywood balls. Nothing unusual about that you might think as the ball, predictably, bounced wildly out of play. But the thing that stood out was this – it was the only time he attempted it in the entire 90 minutes. This was a new, understated Gerrard performance, one in which the midfielder played it neat and short as a GI's haircut. Not as flashy, not as eyecatching but so much more consistently effective as a result. With Nuri Sahin impressive at the top of the midfield triangle and Joe Allen the tempo-setter at the base, there's an intriguing selection dilemma heading Rodgers way when Lucas Leiva returns to fitness in November. John Ashdown

5 Rooney can be United's tonic

Wayne Rooney's entrance at the break for Manchester United kick-started a comeback that nearly salvaged a draw against a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur.

After starting this season not match fit, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, and gashing his leg to keep him out for a month, Rooney's return may be key as the Reds enter the winter season. Jamie Jackson

6 Newcastle looking off colour

In the stands the Toon Army wore their customary stripes but Newcastle played in a kit that looked like something from Laura Ashley. Plum, was the consensus in the press box. What did the club call it? "There isn't an official colour" said their press officer. "We call it purple-ish." Traditionalists had a better word. Rubbish. Joe Lovejoy

7 Crouch standing tall

After refusing to go on the standby list for Euro 2012, it appears that Peter Crouch has permanently fallen out of favour with Roy Hodgson. However, Crouch's record this season – five goals in seven games – is as impressive as his strike rate for England (22 goals from 42 caps). At 31 and with Andy Carroll still sidelined, he is not too old for inclusion again by Hodgson this week. Paul Chronnell

8 Central midfield a dilemma for Martin O'Neill

Adam Johnson's arrival dictates that Sebastian Larsson's old right wing slot in Sunderland's 4-4-2 formation has been handed to the £10m England international. This means the Swede has been shifted into central midfield. It is clearly not Larsson's best position but Sunderland need his stellar dead ball ability. Should O'Neill reconfigure his system? But is there really room for Larsson, Johnson, James McClean and Stéphane Sessègnon in the same starting XI. Dilemmas, dilemmas. Louise Taylor

9 Lambert gets it wrong with Bent

According to Paul Lambert, the Aston Villa manager, Darren Bent was "great" when he told the striker that he would be dropping him from the starting XI against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Yet Bent's body language before he came on, after he scored and as he left the pitch, coupled with a few of the comments he made in a television interview immediately after the game, suggested the striker was anything but happy about the decision. Bent responded in the best possible way, by coming off the bench and grabbing the 150th league goal of his career, but it will be interesting to see how Lambert handles the situation going forward. Lambert clearly has no qualms about leaving players out with big reputations – Shay Given found that out earlier in the season in a decision that has been vindicated because of Brad Guzan's fine form – but taking the captaincy off Bent and telling him to take a seat on the bench a few weeks later was a big call and it would be easy to understand if the striker questioned how much faith his manager had in him. It should also be said that, on the basis of how Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke played up front on Sunday, it was the wrong decision. Stuart James

10 Do foreign players get a raw deal from referees?

Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta and Luis Suárez were all denied possible penalties this weekend and Sergio Agüero believes it's not a coincidence. Asked if foreign players get it tougher from referees than English players he was unequivocal. "Yes. Always," he said. "But it happens everywhere [in the world]. There is a little bit of privilege with players who come from that country. That is normal. We just play our game, and the referee's job is to know who is tricking him and who is not." Has he got a point? Or is it more a case that the level of sophisticated tumbling skulduggery in the box has referees increasingly forced to stab in the dark at decisions, regardless of nationality? John Ashdown