Leaders Arsenal emerged victorious from the Premier League weekend after their closest rivals Manchester City stumbled on Sunday at Tottenham (2-2), despite being two goals ahead, and after Aston Villa lost to Brentford at home with a numerical advantage.

The prize for suspense went to Manchester United, who defeated Fulham (3-2) in a rollercoaster of a match. The Red Devils (4th, 41 pts) and their new manager Michael Carrick are closing in on the top three after this third win in three matches.

But at the very top of the pyramid, it's Arsenal (1st, 53 pts) who are smiling. Following their triumph at Leeds (4-0), the league leaders increased their lead over Manchester City (2nd, 47 pts) and Aston Villa (3rd, 46 pts).

In London, the Citizens dominated a Tottenham team in great difficulty before the break, but they were blown away by the renewed dynamism of their hosts in the second half.

English striker Dominic Solanke scored two goals (53rd, 70th), including a beautiful backheel flick, to erase those of Rayan Cherki (11th) and Antoine Semenyo (44th).

- Carrick in the middle of a dream -

The point earned doesn't lift Tottenham from 14th place. But their fans sang and applauded at the final whistle, which is a victory in itself in these troubled times.

Conversely, Pep Guardiola's team can blame themselves for having lost two potentially vital points in the long-distance battle with Arsenal.

Manchester United, for their part, extended Michael Carrick's perfect start. In the space of two weeks, the new manager racked up three consecutive wins (in as many matches played), something his predecessor Ruben Amorim had only managed once in fourteen months.

After Manchester City (2-0) and Arsenal (3-2) in the previous rounds, it was Fulham who fell at Old Trafford, at the end of a match full of suspense.

The Red Devils led 2-0, conceded two goals in the last quarter of an hour (85th, 90th+1) and finally found relief with a shot from Benjamin Sesko in added time (90th+4).

"It's a big moment for everyone. You could see it in the way everyone celebrated, from the staff to the fans. It was a really special moment," commented Carrick.

- Villa, a wasted opportunity -

The worst result of the weekend goes to Aston Villa, beaten 1-0 by Brentford at home, despite having played more than half the match with eleven against ten.

Kevin Schade was sent off for wiping his studs on Matty Cash's groin (42nd minute) shortly before halftime. And against all odds, the visitors took the lead a few minutes later with a powerful shot from Dango Ouattara from a tight angle (45th+1 minute).

Villa's new signing, Tammy Abraham, did score after the restart (49th minute), but the ball had gone out of play at the start of the action, which VAR highlighted after a lengthy review.

"We are frustrated, but we will quickly bounce back, reflect on our situation and what we are doing," reacted coach Unai Emery.

In the other match played on Sunday, Crystal Palace brought back a point from Nottingham Forest (1-1).

Forest defender Neco Williams was sent off after clearing Jefferson Lerma's header off the goal line with his hand (45th minute), and Ismaïla Sarr equalised from the penalty spot (45th+2 minute), after Morgan Gibbs-White had opened the scoring (5th minute).