Yet more pressure was heaped on Jose Mourinho this weekend as his Chelsea team slumped to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Liverpool, which in turn handed Jurgen Klopp his first Premier League victory in charge of the visiting Reds.
At the top Manchester City and Arsenal claimed maximum points against Norwich City and Swansea City respectively, but Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere, there were home wins for Everton, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford, while Leicester City won on the road for the third time this season at West Bromwich Albion.
The other encounter between Newcastle United and Stoke City at St James' Park ended in a 0-0 draw.
Jack Butland (Stoke City)
No goalkeeper has made more saves in the Premier League this season than the Stoke No.1, who was in fine form on Tyneside. The England international made six stops to frustrate the Magpies and further enhance his reputation.
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
In this type of form there are few better left-backs in the Premier League than Bertrand. He defended well against Bournemouth and went on to assist his side's opening goal. Right now there are bound to be more than a few Chelsea fans wondering why they allowed the England man to leave.
Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool)
Once a figure of ridicule, nobody is laughing anymore. The Frenchman has been solid defensively for a number of months now - something that he continued up against the physical Diego Costa in West London. He won four aerial duels, which is more than any other player this weekend.
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Having helped to nullify the threat that Swansea posed during the first half at the Liberty Stadium, the Frenchman went on to be effective in the opposite penalty area when he scored his second goal in as many Premier League outings.
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez must be delighted to have the Republic of Ireland international back fit and available for selection. He was at his rampaging best against Sunderland, while never neglecting his defensive responsibilities.
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
If ever there was a player that dealt in assists, it is Arsenal's German playmaker. He laid on two more goals at the Liberty Stadium for Olivier Giroud and Joel Campbell. If this is to be the year that the Gunners finally end their wait for a Premier League title, Ozil's creativity is going to be a key factor.
Etienne Capoue (Watford)
A large number of players arrived at Vicarage Road during the summer, but few have made a bigger impact than Capoue. He struggled to nail down a regular place at Tottenham Hotspur, but he is a key man for Watford. It was an energetic showing from the midfielder which helped to thwart a previously impressive West Ham.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
The diminutive Brazilian - by his own admission - has been a little off-colour in recent weeks. However, he returned to form with a bang against Chelsea, scoring twice and generally pulling the strings over the course of the 90 minutes.
Gerard Deulofeu (Everton)
A ridiculous dive aside, there was so much to be impressed by in Deulofeu's 65-minute outing versus Sunderland at Goodison Park. The Spaniard got his name on the scoresheet, while his dangerous deliveries from the right wing resulted in two further goals being scored.
Odion Ighalo (Watford)
There were suggestions that Watford would struggle to score goals this season, but Ighalo has made a mockery of that claim. He showed great predatory instincts in scoring his sixth and seventh goals of the campaign.
Arouna Kone (Everton)
The Ivorian has had his injury problems ever since he arrived on Merseyside, but he now looks to be well over those. Kone was clinical, scoring three times to help thrash the Wearsiders.
Numpty of the week
John Ruddy: With his Norwich City side on the verge of claiming a shock point at the Etihad Stadium, Ruddy had a major rush of blood to the head.
He failed to hold a cross and in a bid to atone, rushed out and was then involved in some confusion with teammate Alex Tettey. Man City's Raheem Sterling pounced on the uncertainty to fire a shot goalwards, which with his goalkeeper stranded, forced Norwich's Russell Martin to block with his arm. He was sent off and Yaya Toure beat Ruddy with the subsequent penalty in the 89th minute to seal a victory for the home team.
Goal of the week
Philippe Coutinho - Chelsea vs. (Liverpool) His second goal may have been deflected, but there was nothing fortunate about the Brazilian's first goal of the afternoon, which restored parity.
Picking up possession on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, Coutinho jinked past Ramires and then unleashed a curling effort that left Asmir Begovic in the home goal flailing at thin air.
Liam Apicella
