By Andrew Discenza

Manchester City continue to win with style, and put on a delightful showcase of attacking football in their 5-1 mauling of Norwich. Sergio Aguero’s close control was a joy to watch for the first, keeping the ball in a tightly packed penalty area before poking beyond five defenders. City scored an impeccable third when David Silva picked out Yaya Toure in the area, and the Ivorian opened up his body to curl coolly into the far corner. Mario Balotelli then got in on the act in typically eye-catching style. Adam Johnson found the Italian whose shot was saved, but the rebound fell right to him on the goal line and he nonchalantly prodded it in with his shoulder. Johnson completed the rout with a fine strike of his own, turning inside and picking his spot to fire into the bottom corner.

Yakubu was a goal machine for Blackburn, scoring four times to give his side and Steve Kean a much needed 4-2 win over Swansea. He started off the move for the opener, playing Gael Givet in behind, who duly pulled the ball back for Yakubu to finish into the roof. Swansea were in trouble when they failed to adequately clear a corner, and Simon Vukcenic’s volley back into the area found Yakubu in the perfect place, right on the doorstep to nod in. He was in the right spot again to turn in Christopher Samba’s header, and capped off a game-winning performance by slotting in a penalty with the keeper going the wrong way.

Tottenham wingers Gareth Bale & Aaron Lennon lead their side going forward as Spurs dispatched Bolton 3-0. It was the sprightly Welshman who gave Tottenham the lead, racing across his defender to send in Luka Modric’s corner with a deft flick of his heel. Lennon then showed his ability to create a goal on the break. He cut inside past two defenders who were left chasing shadows, and steadied himself before sending a shot rocketing past Jussi Jaaskelainen. Bale’s presence again at the near post created the third goal, as he helped on Modric’s corner for Jermaine Defoe to guide the ball in.

Daniel Sturridge & Juan Mata provided the firepower for Chelsea’s 3-0 victory at Newcastle. The 22-year-old Englishman was an integral part of Chelsea’s attack early on, winning a penalty after 14 minutes. Mata then provided quality service not once but twice to Didier Drogba, who obliged on the second attempt with a header just under the bar. Sturridge was denied an assist and a goal by a valiant Tim Krul performance between the posts, but grabbed his well-deserved goal when he cut inside his defender to find a clinical finish beyond the Dutch keeper.

Robin van Persie was yet again Arsenal’s inspiration, contributing to three goals as the Gunners strolled 4-0 at Wigan. The Dutchman grabbed his fourth assist of the season when he delivered a cross to the back post for Thomas Vermaelen to nod past Ali Al Habsi. Van Persie then let a shot rip from a tight angle, and although the goalkeeper kept it out, the rebound fell for Gervinho to tuck home. The 28-year-old made it 14 goals in as many games this season thanks to Theo Walcott, who had beaten the last defender but unselfishly held the ball up to find Van Persie for a simple yet clinical finish.

Referee Mike Dean made a crucial error just four minutes into Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle, failing to send off David Luiz for hauling down Demba Ba from behind. The big striker had turned the defender and a goal-scoring opportunity seemed certain until the foul, but the referee chose to show the Brazilian a very generous yellow card.

Jussi Jaaskelainen put on a determined display in goal for Bolton, despite their 3-0 defeat at Tottenham. Early on the Finnish keeper kept out Jermaine Defoe from close range, before denying Emmanuel Adebayor with a strong block. His best moment was a double save, parrying Gareth Bale’s effort and kick-saving Defoe’s follow-up. Adebayor then saw another good chance kept out by the 36-year-old, who tipped over Modric’s shot to complete a sensational performance.

Jordi Gomez missed a great chance to give Wigan the edge against Arsenal. David Jones’ ball in was palmed away by Wojciech Szczesny and dropped into the path of Gomez, who had the goal at his mercy but shockingly failed the find the net as his effort came off Andre Santos.

Injuries haunted Manchester United’s visit to Aston Villa, and the champions 1-0 win will taste bittersweet after Javier Hernandez was forced off the field on 12 minutes. “Chicharito” was by himself when he turned in the area and crumbled suddenly in a heap, having damaged ankle ligaments that could keep him out for a month. Aston Villa too, will have greater worries than the scoreline after Shay Given pulled his hamstring just before half time. The vital stopper could miss action for four weeks. Jermaine Jenas is another blow for the home side, as he tripped innocuously enough but sustained achilles damage that could potentially end the player’s season.