Five things we learned in the Premier League

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Diego Costa marked his return to Chelsea with a goal in a 2-0 in over Hull City that saw the leaders go eight points clear at the top of the table while Arsenal moved up into second place after a dramatic victory over Burnley on a weekend where Wayne Rooney became Manchester United's all-time leading goal-scorer.

AFP Sport looks at five things we learned from the weekend Premier League matches:

Costa has left the Chelsea doghouse

Chelsea's season threatened to lurch towards catastrophe after top scorer Diego Costa was left out of the side amid reports of an angry training-ground clash with a fitness coach and an eye-watering approach from China. But he marked his return to the starting XI with the opening goal as Antonio Conte's side beat Hull 2-0 to open up an eight-point lead at the summit. Costa's substitution, in the 86th minute, drew chants of "Diego! Diego!" from the Stamford Bridge tribunes. For now at least, he is back onside.

Numbers aren't adding up for Man City

Manchester City went into their home game against Tottenham Hotspur on the back of a 4-0 pounding at Everton yet completely dominated the first half and went 2-0 ahead through Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne. But they were pegged back in a 2-2 draw. It has come to be a recurring theme for Pep Guardiola's side. They bossed the game at Everton, with 71 percent of possession and registering 13 attempts at goal, but conceded each time their opponents hit the target. Against Spurs, City had 17 shots, seven of which were directly on goal, but the away team only needed to hit the target twice to take a share of the points.

Fading Rooney still a threat

At a time when Wayne Rooney has become an increasingly marginalised figure at Manchester United, the striker gave a timely reminder of his enduring class as the England star broke his club's all-time scoring record to rescue a 1-1 draw at Stoke. Rooney was once again in the unwanted position of watching his team from the bench as they fell behind to a Juan Mata own goal at the Britannia Stadium. But United manager Jose Mourinho turned to Rooney midway through the second half. With just seconds left in stoppage-time and previous record-holder Bobby Charlton looking on from the stands, Rooney struck a free-kick into the top corner in a reminder of the days when he was the main man for both club and country. Those days might have gone but, as Mourinho said after the match, Rooney's place alongside United's greats is now established forever.

Arsenal shine against lesser lights

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger challenged his side in pre-season to improve their performance against middle-ranking sides after repeatedly seeing the Gunners' quest for the Premier League title undone by damaging losses to teams well below the top four. On the evidence of Sunday's thrilling 2-1 win over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, his side have taken the hint. After going ahead through Shkodran Mustafi's first goal for the club, Arsenal saw midfielder Granit Xhaka sent off and then conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Andre Gray. But they refused to surrender and Alexis Sanchez scored from the spot with virtually the last kick to lift the Gunners into second place. Arsenal have already managed 20 points against teams positioned from fifth to 12th in the table -- matching their tally against those positions in the whole of last season

Allardyce record in doubt

No team managed by Sam Allardyce has ever been relegated from the Premier League but that record was under threat after a Seamus Coleman goal gave Everton a 1-0 win away that left his Crystal Palace side firmly in the bottom three. He may well be wondering how wise it was to join a Palace side already deep in trouble after incautious remarks to undercover journalists led to his dramatic sacking as England manager. Palace face an ominous run-in, with their last nine league matches of the season including fixtures against the current top five.

Rugby
SCHOOLS: From the classroom to the field, Kisumu Girls ready to lift national rugby trophy
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Neuville clinches Kasarani stage as Hyundai makes intention known
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Will Fourmaux finally break M-Sport Ford jinx in Naivasha?
By Ben Ahenda 9 hrs ago
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Tundo revs off first as Ruto flags off Safari