The focus once again returned to the Premier League following on from the midweek European action, and the top-flight did not disappoint.

Jamie Vardy’s hat-trick eased Leicester City’s domestic issues as they stunned Manchester City 4-2 at the King Power Stadium in Saturday evening’s fixture, a victory that takes Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes up to 14th position.

The current title-holders were 3-0 up after just 20 minutes played, with Vardy netting a brace either side of Andy King’s strike. Vardy added his third late in the second-half, prior to Aleksander Kolarov and Nolito pulling two goals back in the dying embers.

Earlier in the day, Watford beat Everton 3-2 at Vicarage Road to kick start the action at lunchtime. Stefano Okaka’s brace won it for the upwardly moving Hornets, who claimed the three points in Hertfordshire.

Arsenal came from behind at the Emirates Stadium to defeat Stoke City, as strikes from Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi confirmed a 3-1 win for Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.

Burnley ended a run of three successive league defeats when they came out on top in a five-goal thriller against AFC Bournemouth at Turf Moor.

Goals from Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Ward and George Boyd proved decisive for the Clarets on home soil, a result that moves Sean Dyche’s East Lancastrians up to 13th in the standings.

Struggling Hull City and Crystal Palace shared six goals and one point at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday. Alan Pardew’s side gained a share of the spoils through Fraizer Campbell’s 89th minute equaliser for the Croydon club.

Swansea City won the other basement battle, seeing off Sunderland, thanks to strikes from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente’s brace at the Liberty Stadium.

On Sunday, Chelsea returned to the top of the table after Diego Costa’s 76th minute goal beat West Bromwich Albion, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s scored the winner as Manchester United got the better of Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

Southampton moved into the top half after club-record signing Sofiane Boufal hit a 25-yard strike in the second-half to down Middlesbrough at St Mary’s.

The final match of the weekend between Liverpool and West Ham United finished in a 2-2 draw at Anfield. Divock Origi rescued a point for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, who remain in third, while West Ham move out of the relegation places.

Shoot! take a look at What’s Hot and What’s Not from another action packed week of Premier League action…

HOT: Jamie Vardy and Leicester City

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Well, what a way for Jamie Vardy to bring his 16-game Leicester City goal drought to an end!

The forward had scored twice in the first 20 minutes, either side of Andy King drilling in a second goal against a beleaguered Manchester City side, which sent Claudio Ranieri’s men on their way to a memorable three points.

The Foxes, who have endured an indifferent start to their title defence, were simply outstanding – putting on a performance worthy of their status of league champions.

Vardy, 29, profited from a defensive misunderstanding to gain the match ball when, from a tight angle, he rounded goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, to finish from a tight angle.

Leicester will hope to build upon the win when they visit the South Coast to play AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

NOT: Manchester City

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

It all started so well for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. However, the honeymoon period seems to be well and truly over for the Catalan manager.

The Citizens have lost two matches on the spin in the top-flight, and they were torn apart by a ruthless Leicester City side in front of the television cameras.

Following last week’s defeat to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, their defensive problems continued to arise in the East Midlands, causing more food for thought, as the January transfer window approaches.

Guardiola’s team are winless in three outings in all competitions, and are now fourth in the Premier League, seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

HOT: Chelsea

Photo: Charlotte Wilson / Offside.

They may have dispatched West Bromwich Albion by a narrow score-line at home on Sunday, but Chelsea’s ninth successive victory in a row cemented the West Londoners’ place at the summit.

Diego Costa; the feisty, industrious forward, proved once again to be the hero of the hour for Antonio Conte’s table-toppers – the Spanish international curled a left-footed shot past Ben Foster with 14 minutes to play, scoring his 12th league goal of this season.

Chelsea are three points clear of London rivals, Arsenal, and the form that they are showing at the moment would suggest that the team from Stamford Bridge look unstoppable, the question is, can they take their current run into the New Year?

NOT: Everton

Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Following the reverse at Watford, Everton have recorded only one win in 10 matches – a complete contrast to how Ronald Koeman’s Toffees started the season.

The men from Merseyside have slipped down to ninth in the division after a lacklustre run of form that could derail their bid for European football come the conclusion of the campaign.

In their last five games, Everton have been on the losing side three times, making it a bleak mid-winter for the Goodison Park club – it could get even worse, with Arsenal and a derby date with Liverpool next up.

The standards of key players have dropped considerably in the past few months. These concerns need to be addressed before the run spirals out of control.