Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

• Match result : Manchester United1-2 Brighton

Jürgen Klopp threw the question of whether Virgil van Dijk had actually committed a penalty-conceding foul on Aleksandar Mitrovic to the press corps. He also wondered aloud whether Jordan Henderson had been fouled in the buildup to Mitrovic’s first goal. He still had few quibbles about escaping Craven Cottage with a point. “It’s my responsibility to find out why,” he said. His experienced players had been most culpable. Mitrovic terrorised Van Dijk, Fulham’s striker also reintroducing those questions about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defending. The full-back flinched as Mitrovic crashed in on the back post. Henderson struggled with Andreas Pereira and João Palhinha in midfield, Roberto Firmino flopped in attack. The positive was Darwin Núñez’s energy reviving Liverpool after replacing Firmino, aided by two former Fulham players in Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho. Might Liverpool’s old guard be suffering a hangover from last season’s disappointments? A tight, World Cup-truncated schedule will soon reveal all. John Brewin

• Match result : Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

Kalvin Phillips has been shown how to play in Manchester City’s midfield bit not by Rodri, the man in theory ahead of him in the pecking order, but by Kyle Walker. The right-back repeatedly wander off the flank into space in the middle of the park. He would get the ball and play short passes to keep City’s attacks going. The Premier League champions enjoyed 77 per cent of possession as they eased into the new campaign. It was another reminded of the surprises Pep Guardiola can implement within his tactics. It is a regular sight to see full-backs crop up in irregular places. While showing the team can adapt to the arrival of Erling Haaland, knowing what he will make his clever runs, City are constantly evolving on a game-by-game basis. They have adjusted in the final third and will keep teams on their toes with innovations across the pitch. A marker has been laid down. Will Unwin

• Match result: West Ham 0-2 Manchester City

It took three months for Gabriel Martinelli to get off the mark last season but only 20 minutes to open his account this time around. His header at Selhurst Park was well taken and it was a reminder that, for all the excitement around Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal have another potentially explosive Brazilian forward in their ranks. It is easy to forget Martinelli has only just turned 21; he tends to be deployed on the left but rotated positions with Jesus to good effect during the first half and there is a strong sense his long-term future lies down the middle. While many Arsenal fans crave a backup centre-forward to take the load off Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, Martinelli would surely be able to fill that position adeptly if needed. For now there is plenty to like about the instinctive relationship the Brazil teammates appear to have struck up. Nick Ames

• Match result: Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal

Burn shines under pressure

Sven Botman cost Newcastle £35m from Lille this summer but the much admired 22-year-old Dutchman was made to wait to make his debut at centre-half until stoppage time as Eddie Howe opted to stick with Dan Burn as his left-side, left-footed central defender alongside Fabian Schär. With Botman also left-footed the consensus was that the former Brighton defender would be the player to make way but, as Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at St James’ Park on Saturday, Burn made it clear he will not give up his place without a fight. Arguably only the midfielder Bruno Guimarães shone brighter than Burn, with the latter earning Howe’s technical-area applause after, at one point, dispossessing Forest’s accelerating forward Brennan Johnson with copybook timing and composure. Schär, meanwhile, broke Forest’s resistance courtesy of a stunning 25-yard shot before Callum Wilson’s clever goal sealed victory. Louise Taylor

• Match result: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Antonio Conte rarely looks that content with life but the Italian’s demeanour after Tottenham’s impressive comeback against Southampton was an indication of the progress made over the summer. While three new signings – Ivan Perisic, Clément Lenglet and Yves Bissouma – were given only late cameos, by which time Spurs were 4-1 up. Conte knows that a bench that was missing the suspended Richarlison but also included Fraser Forster and Djed Spence now has the depth to compete on all fronts. “The message was very clear that we’ve signed new players to improve our squad because our squad was really poor last season and the Champions League spot was a big achievement,” he said. “Our first goal was to improve the squad, not just players physically but also mentally. We wanted the right players for my philosophy.” Ed Aarons

• Match result: Tottenham 4-1 Southampton

A rare win at Goodison Park, a clean sheet plus fine debuts from the summer signings Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and latterly Marc Cucurella left Thomas Tuchel content on the opening day, although he seemed unsurprised and unperturbed by Chelsea’s lack of creativity. “We were joking at half-time saying maybe it is a typical Chelsea game – we win 1-0 and Jorgi scores with a penalty,” the manager admitted. So it proved. Despite Sterling’s probing, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz were anonymous while 16 corners and a host of inviting free-kicks failed to trouble Everton’s injury-hit defence. “I think Raheem will lift Kai and Mason and Pulisic up,” said Tuchel. “Because the centre of our formation is in the three centre-backs and the two number sixes it is a deep formation in which you rely heavily on the two wing-backs. We didn’t have enough from the wing backs to create more freedom for the inner players. From there we go.” Andy Hunter

• Match result: Everton 0-1 Chelsea