It was another jam-packed weekend of Premier League football full of plenty of thrills and spills.

The weekend got off to a bang as Liverpool cruised to a memorable 3-1 victory against Everton before Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace stunned the Bridge to beat Chelsea 2-1 and halt the Blues' league campaign in its tracks.

Elsewhere, Arsenal fought back to salvage a precious point against Manchester City while Leicester and Hull both recorded important wins in the bottom half of the table.

Here's seven things we learned from the weekend:

Arsenal finally show some character

It’s been a tempestuous two months for Arsenal football club with internal political wrangling threatening to throw the Emirates into civil war. Saturday’s draw with City will have done little to settle the waters but, after securing a hard-fought point, Arsenal’s players showed that they have not yet thrown in the towel.

City had the chance to beat a side that looked there for the taking, but Arsene Wenger's men certainly took full advantage of their opponents’ failure to do so. Even following Laurent Koscielny’s exit – the catalyst for their humiliating collapse against Bayern Munich in the Champions League – the Gunners still held on. Fans will be relieved to see some bite back in their men but don’t expect the Arsenal discord to fade away any time soon.

Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Arsenal Petr Cech 6 out of 10 His goal was shielded ably by Arsenal’s backline, but when called upon he was not found wanting, saving well down low from De Bruyne early on. He might, though, have done better for Toure’s goal. 2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Bellerin 6 out of 10 Back to his best at both ends, particularly putting in a tidy shift defensively where he cut out several attempts to spread the play out wide. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Mertesacker 7 out of 10 Dominant in the air throughout. City had plenty of corners but with Mertesacker in the area Arsenal never looked threatened. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Koscielny 7 out of 10 Set the tone as early as the third minute when he whipped the ball off Aguero’s feet as he looked to break. Bar one miskick in the first half this was excellent from Koscielny, who tidied up loose passing from City well. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Monreal 6 out of 10 Solid in defence and valuable in attack just like his compatriot at the other end. Early on he let De Bruyne break too often but he soon fixed that. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Flamini 6 out of 10 Took it upon himself to stick to Silva throughout and so he deserves credit for the tough time City’s playmaker had. At times he can be bypassed too easily on the counter attack but his organisation of the backline was critical. Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Ramsey 7 out of 10 All the questions around Ramsey ahead of the game were about his defensive game; he answered them in style time and again. His tackle count may not be the highest, but he was always back doing his duty. In the second half he embraced his licence to bomb on against City’s diffident backline and could have had a goal. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Campbell 8 out of 10 A 40 yard sprint to add ballast to defence in an early City counter typified everything that has been good about Campbell. Committed at both ends of the field he brought perfect balance to the lineup, whilst his understanding with Bellerin improves by the day. Deserved a goal to seal a man of the match display. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Ozil 8 out of 10 Of course he registered yet another pair of assists, even though the City midfield attempted to surround him from minute one to minute 90. His eye for a pass was yet again sublime as he offered further proof he could be relied on in the biggest games. 2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Walcott 7 out of 10 He’s not in the side to track back. Nor to add to the build-up. Or to press the opposition. Wenger picked him because given a half-chance he will probably hit the target, as he showed quite emphatically for the opening goal. What more could be asked of him? 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Giroud 7 out of 10 An exemplary display of what a target man should do in the modern age. He relished aerial battles with Mangala and Otamendi but brought his team-mates into the game equally well when he had the ball at his feet. Another goal capped off a fine display. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Hart 7 out of 10 Equipped himself rather well considering the porous nature of his backline, as time and again he was called upon to make close-range saves when his team-mates allowed opponents to burst through. Might have done better for the second goal though, when Giroud fired through his legs. Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Sagna 5 out of 10 After so many years at the Emirates you might have thought Sagna would know not to allow Walcott to cut in on to his right, but that’s what he allowed him to do. Though Arsenal rarely attacked down the left when they did they got plenty of joy against a slow Sagna. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Otamendi 4 out of 10 He lacks for nothing except application, and it showed tonight as Giroud found that simply wanting the ball more than his disinterested opponent would ensure he won it. On one occasion he seemed to simply fall over rather than bother competing with Giroud. 2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Mangala 4 out of 10 At times this was a display of staggering incompetence from a player valued at over £30 million just a year ago. They’d do well to get a tenth of that after a display in which he gave the ball away in critical areas time and again, contributing decisively to Arsenal’s second. Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Kolarov 6 out of 10 A decent display, at least compared to his team-mates. He bombed forward with purpose and did his best to repel the dangerous double-act of Bellerin and Campbell. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings De Bruyne 6 out of 10 A performance packed with bright moments but hardly game-changing ones, for instance when he burst through on Cech’s goal before dragging his shot wide when Silva was well-placed. An almost anti-Walcott display; lots of possession, minimal output. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Toure 5 out of 10 City’s engine room was running on fumes tonight. Though his running looked like that of an injured man he might then at least have focused his attentions on defence, but too often he allowed failed to keep up with Ozil. In many ways his goal only served to enhance the frustration he brought, why wait 80 minutes to do something so brilliant? Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Fernandinho 5 out of 10 On so many occasion he seemed to be caught out from behind by an Arsenal player challenging from the ball as he was one of several players to not show the required intensity for a top of the table match. He scarcely moved from the middle third of the pitch in attack or defence. 2015 Getty Images Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Delph 5 out of 10 No surprise whatsoever that he was hooked off at half-time. Pellegrini had said his role was to offer cover down the left, but he never tamed Bellerin’s forward runs and was muscled off the ball by Campbell. 2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Silva 5 out of 10 Not the only player to look lacking in match sharpness; even his famed passing was off the mark too often. Well-tracked by Flamini but he never forced the issue by dropping deep or moving wide. Arsenal vs Manchester City player ratings Aguero 5 out of 10 Despite several days of first-team training he did not look remotely fit enough for this game and was overpowered and quite easily managed by Mertesacker and Koscielny, though in his defence his team-mates gave him little to work with. 2015 Getty Images

The Shaw saga thickens with United youngster left lost at sea

Jose Mourinho has all but confirmed that Luke Shaw’s Manchester United career is over, arguing that the left-back’s attitude is now so poor he no longer deserves even a place on the bench. The 21-year-old has endured a miserable season under Mourinho, intermittently drifting in and out of the team. His last appearance came against Bournemouth nearly one month ago in which he gave a respectable account of himself, but was hauled off as United chased the winner. A prolonged period of absence followed with little explanation from Mourinho.

Shaw's United days look to be over (Getty)

Attitude and commitment issues, so Mourinho now says, are the root of the problem – but he’s not alone in voicing such concerns. Louis van Gaal and Roy Hodgson both expressed doubts over Shaw’s fitness in the past while Mauricio Pochettino was known to have worked hard on the player’s conditioning as a young teenager. When Shaw arrived at United, staff there had never seen a teenager with quite the same natural athleticism - even those who knew Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in their early days were impressed. But this raw ability has yet to reach its full potential. Whether through a lack of maturity and professionalism, as four separate managers have now suggested, or whether the psychological burden of his leg-break continues to weigh heavy, Shaw remains lost at sea. At this point in time, the future looks bleak for the young 21-year-old.

Pep’s revolution remains a work in progress

Who do you point the finger at with a team like Manchester City? The manager? Or the players? Guardiola’s track record has certainly endowed the Catalan with a reputation for brilliance and tactical nous but there’s no denying the quality of sides he has managed. His City team, on the other hand, have flashed with brilliance this season, courtesy of their emerging youth, but the ghosts of their past continue to haunt them.

Guardiola took responsibility for Sunday’s draw with Arsenal, in which his side twice threw away their lead, but it’s become glaringly apparent that the much-hailed ‘genius’ of football is struggling to work his magic in the Premier League. A fresh start, with the introduction of some new faces to the City midfield and defence, is desperately needed if Pep is to stand any chance of conquering the Premier League too.

Guardiola does not yet have the squad to achieve greatness with City (Getty)

Allardyce has turned Palace around

Sam Allardyce has now, without any doubt, turned Crystal Palace around. The former England manager has had to pick up a squad shorn of many of its leaders, rebuild their confidence and instil some semblance of a tactical plan. The latter has been the easy part, and there is no doubt that the Eagles play with far more defined roles under their new coach. Set pieces, the biggest weakness of the Pardew regime, have become a strength and tactically Allardyce has outshone his predecessor – even if sometimes that has meant a more conservative playing style.

Allardyce has improved Palace since replacing Pardew (Getty)

But it is the emphasis on backroom staff which has truly helped take the club forward. Allardyce repeatedly states that his personnel been given more responsibility to do their jobs and, in turn, make the club’s players better. “It’s not just me… I choose certain members of staff to come and work with me and some of the original members of staff that stayed on were empowered to do their job better by me and use their qualifications and their experience.”

Clever signings, a new confidence and more focused training performed by newly-empowered coaches have all helped fix Crystal Palace’s sinking ship. This is a club revived.

Does anyone fancy some marking, Liverpool?

Ronnie Moran, whose life and work were celebrated at Anfield on Saturday, was part of a management team which obsessed about fixing weaknesses and hated to talk about winning, so it is reasonable to reflect on what there was to worry about in the victory which extends Everton’s winless run at Anfield to 18 years. Jurgen Klopp was surprisingly frank about the problem. Set-pieces were “still a question for us to find a real answer for” he said. “You can really be sure we are on this and working on this with a lot of different things, but it is not our best skill of our skills.”

Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Simon Mignolet – 6 out of 10 Made a handful of important saves – only beaten by Pennington’s close range strike. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Nathaniel Clyne – 5 out of 10 Was pulled out of position at times and made a habit of playing very narrow. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Joel Matip – 6 out of 10 His work rate was relentless and he kept Lukaku out of the game. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Dejan Lovren – 7 out of 10 Committed to every challenge and loose ball – courageous defending throughout. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings James Milner – 6 out of 10 It was a classic Milner display – passed well, held his shape and worked hard. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Emre Can – 4 out of 10 Ruthlessly crashed into challenges, tackled half-heartedly and lost possession continuously. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Lucas – 6 out of 10 Read the game very well – dropped deep and opened up space in the midfield. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Georgino Wijnaldum – 5 out of 10 Drifted in and out of the game at times, but in possession he showed impressive vision and ability. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Sadio Mane – 7 out of 10 His opening goal was an example of his endless individual ability. Subbed off due to ankle injury. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Roberto Firmino – 6 out of 10 Worked hard to win possession, but his final product was sloppy at times. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Philippe Coutinho – 8 out of 10 Was Liverpool’s best player today – he was energetic, determined and his goal capped off a sublime performance. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Joel Robles – 4 out of 10 Was a victim of Liverpool’s sublime strike force but seemed out of position for all three of the home side's goals. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Matthew Pennington – 6 out of 10 Unexpectedly scored the equaliser, but then he was beaten by Coutinho for Liverpool’s second. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Ashley Williams – 6 out of 10 Tackled relentlessly and made countless clearances. However, some of his tackles looked dangerous. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Phil Jagielka – 7 out of 10 He cleared shots off the line, leaped in front of shots and saved the Everton side on numerous occasions. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Mason Holgate – 5 out of 10 Showed glimpses of brilliance going forward, but his countless deliveries into the box were over hit and out of control. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Tom Davies – 6 out of 10 Oozed with confidence and once again proved his prospects for the future. Still has plenty to learn, though. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Idrissa Gueye – 6 out of 10 Was a key element to Everton going forward, but he did drift out of position at times. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Leighton Baines – 5 out of 10 Played very deep, which resulted in a lack of width and menace for The Toffees on the front foot. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Ross Barkley – 6 out of 10 Should have been red carded just before the interval, but his performance improved sufficiently as the game progressed. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Romelu Lukaku – 4 out of 10 Showed no sign of being the Premier League’s scorer and caused few problems for the Liverpool defence. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5 out of 10 Lacked service from the midfield, but the striker was invisible at times.

Indeed, there were times in the second half when their zonal marking was not fit for purpose. There was also that perennial sense you get with them that a standard cross into the box at any time can give any opponent cause for hope. Liverpool may have cruised to victory but it was against a side that looked caught in the headlights under 'master tactician' Ronald Koeman. If the Reds are to stand any hope of pushing for the title next season, major defensive surgery is required. (Ian Herbert)

Cause for Chelsea concern?

Some better finishing, most notably from the strangely off-colour Diego Costa, would have won it for Chelsea against Palace on Saturday. It is why, then, Antonio Conte was probably right to say his side weren’t necessarily unlucky. Finishing isn’t luck, but the fact they made so many chances suggests this isn’t a broken team worth worrying about. “I think this defeat is totally different,” Conte said. “If you compare this defeat with the other defeats we are another team. I think we are a strong team. “Today for sure it wasn't our day because we created a lot of chances to score a goal. [But] we dominated the game."

The Chelsea manager is not concerned by the number of goals his side are conceding (Getty)

But although the matter of creating chances may not be a current issue, Chelsea's defence has now not kept a clean sheet since January. The back three seem to be struggling against those faster forwards who will stretch the channels and while Conte insisted he was not worried by the increasing amount of goals being conceded, it certainly seems that the Blues defence is no longer the impenetrable force it once was. This won’t be enough to prevent Chelsea winning the league, but it’s something to take into the summer’s transfer market as Conte looks to strengthen his team.

Sacking failing managers quite clearly works

When Leicester decided to sack Claudio Ranieri last month, the League Managers Association chief Richard Bevan described the decision as “undermining the profession of coaching throughout the world”. Strong words from a man who, we assume, knows a thing or two about football. But such ‘inhumanity’, as some decried it, has been completely vindicated. Leicester now sit 13th in the league with 33 points, with Craig Shakespeare becoming the first English manager to win his first four Premier League games on the bounce. Saturday’s victory against Stoke confirmed that Leicester are a side rejuvenated.

Shakespeare has become the first British managers to win his first four games on the bounce (Getty) (G)