Six of the best for Bournemouth, Sunderland’s woes continue: What’s hot and what’s not in the Premier League

Following a two-week break due to international duty, the Premier League returned to centre-stage, with England’s top-tier providing us with enthralling action!

Saturday’s schedule began when a lunchtime kick-off between Chelsea and title-holders Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, with the West Londoners securing a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals from Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Victor Moses.

Elsewhere, Mike Phelan’s first game since being confirmed as Hull City manager on a permanent basis will be remembered for all the wrong reasons – the Tigers suffered a 6-1 defeat away to AFC Bournemouth.

Spurs star, Erik Lamela – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

There were also triumphs for Arsenal, who edged past Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium, Stoke City dispatched rock-bottom Sunderland on home soil, while West Ham United obtained maximum points on their travels, beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in a London derby at Selhurst Park.

Manchester City and Everton played out a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium, so too did West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur at The Hawthorns.

On Sunday, Watford moved into the top-half with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside, while Charlie Austin’s double helped Southampton beat Burnley 3-1 at St Mary’s.

So, what can be taken from the eighth round of fixtures in the Premier League?

SHOOT takes a look at what is hot and what is not in the division…  

HOT: AFC Bournemouth

Stanislas celebrates his first goal for the rampant Cherries – Photo: Offside.

Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth put on a show for the Cherries faithful when they produced the result of Saturday, scoring six past a despondent Hull City on the south-coast.

Charlie Daniels’ fifth minute opener was cancelled out by Ryan Mason’s equaliser 11 minutes from the interval.

However, before the first-half came to a close, Steve Cook and Junior Stanislas added further goals to put the hosts firmly in the driving seat at the Vitality Stadium.

After the break, Stanislas netted his brace from the penalty spot, prior to late efforts from Callum Wilson along with Dan Gosling that completed the emphatic rout – the buoyant Dorset club are now unbeaten in their last three matches.

NOT: Hull City

Poor permanent start for Tigers boss, Phelan – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

By contrast, Hull endured an afternoon that the recently-appointed Phelan will be in a hurry to forget.

The former Manchester United assistant manager initially took charge on a caretaker basis back in July when Steve Bruce suddenly resigned from his position on Humberside.  

Hull started the season having gone through a tough summer, but two wins in their first two games following promotion set them off to the best possible return.

Results have since tailed off. City are winless in seven league games, dropping down to 16th as a result, sitting a solitary point above the three relegation places.

After a run of four defeats in succession, Phelan will hope to turn their fortunes around when Stoke City are the visitors at the KCOM Stadium next Saturday.

HOT: Maarten Stekelenburg

Super spot-kick stopper, Stekelenburg – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Everton’s Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg proved to be the hero for his side in the Toffees visit to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, by saving two penalties during the 1-1 draw.

Stekelenburg first denied Kevin De Bruyne from 12 yards when he dived to his right, pushing away the spot-kick from the Belgian just minutes prior to the break.

The 34-year-old, who was a summer signing from Fulham, then denied Sergio Aguero’s penalty with 20 minutes to go in the second period, as Ronald Koeman’s Merseysiders looked to hold onto a lead they held through Romelu Lukaku’s goal earlier in the half.

However, Nolito’s equaliser ensured a share of the spoils for Pep Guardiola’s Citizens, despite Stekelenburg keeping out further goal-bound attempts from De Bruyne and Aguero in the closing stages.

NOT: Sunderland

Black Cats boss, Moyes – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Sunderland’s barren run of form continued with a dismal 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday.

David Moyes’ beleaguered squad prop up the league standings from their opening eight fixtures, collecting only two-points so far.

It now seems to be the norm for the North-East outfit to commence a campaign in a poor fashion, this has been the case for the past three-years. Sam Allardyce became the latest man to rescue them from relegation last season, before he left to begin his ill-fated stint as England manager.

This term has been no different, and with Stoke inflicting yet another reverse for the Black Cats at the Bet365 Stadium after Joe Allen scored twice in the first-half, the pressure continues to mount on Moyes.