Aside from the 2017 EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium between Manchester United and Southampton, there were six Premier League matches at the weekend, plus defending top-flight champions Leicester City host Liverpool at the King Power Stadium on Monday night (20:00).

On Saturday, league leaders Chelsea made the most of title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City’s postponements to move eight points clear at the summit, as goals from Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Diego Costa sealed a comfortable 3-1 win over Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

Then, on Sunday, Tottenham climbed into the runners-up spot after mauling Stoke City 4-0 at White Hart Lane, with Harry Kane netting a sublime hat-trick.

Elsewhere; Crystal Palace moved out of the bottom three after their vital 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park, Everton fought off rock-bottom Sunderland 2-0 and second-bottom Hull City were denied victory after a late 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.

Ten-man West Ham United also rescued a 1-1 stalemate at Watford, whilst West Brom kept their hopes of European football alive with a narrow 2-1 triumph over AFC Bournemouth at The Hawthorns.

So, after the conclusion of Matchday 26 in the top-flight, bar Leicester City v Liverpool tonight, here is What’s Hot and What’s Not from the latest Premier League weekend…

HOT – Hat-Trick hero Harry

Spurs’ star striker Harry Kane dismantled Stoke City on Sunday afternoon with a terrific treble – his third hat-trick of 2017 already.

The 23-year-old, who now has 22 goals in all competitions this season, completed his latest feat inside 23 minutes at White Hart Lane, as Tottenham moved up to second in the Premier League standings.

Despite being knocked out of the UEFA Europa League in midweek, Kane inspired Spurs to a flourishing win in North London, seeing Tottenham get back to winning ways after their 2-0 setback at Liverpool last time out.

If anyone is to catch league leaders Chelsea this term, who are 10 points clear with 12 games remaining, the England international may well have to sustain this deadly form in front of goal until May.

NOT – Sloppy Stoke City

The Potters were down and out by half-time, with Spurs four-nil up at the interval, thanks to Kane’s hat-trick and Dele Alli’s injury-time strike.

Despite showing some character in the second-half, and ultimately stopping the final result becoming a cricket score, Mark Hughes’s side were completely blown away by Tottenham’s pace, power and attacking prowess.

Stoke very rarely threatened Hugo Lloris’ goal at White Hart Lane, with forward Peter Crouch looking lost in North London, whilst defensive midfielders Charlie Adam and Glenn Whelan were given the runaround in the centre of the park all afternoon.

Thankfully for Hughes’ men, they sit 11 points clear of the relegation zone, as Sunday’s woeful performance portrayed that of a relegated outfit.

HOT – Gareth ‘Goalscorer’ McAuley

The 37-year-old is becoming somewhat of a goalscoring saviour for West Brom recently.

After scoring in The Baggies’ 3-1 win over Hull City on January 2, McAuley has single-handedly earned Tony Pulis’ side an extra three points in the club’s last two Premier League outings.

The centre-half headed home a 94th minute equaliser at West Ham United in his previous top-flight appearance – helping West Brom snatch a point at the London Stadium – before grabbing an extra two points for his team on Saturday.

Joshua King (pen) fired Bournemouth in front after just five minutes, before Craig Dawson’s deflected effort levelled the tie shortly after.

But on 22 minutes, goalkeeper Artur Boruc’s costly error in failing to punch clear a corner allowed fellow defender McAuley to net the eventual match winner (above) and keep West Brom’s hopes of European football next season well and truly alive.

NOT – Michail Antonio

The forward was sent off for the first time in his West Ham United career, after being shown two yellow cards during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Watford.

The 26-year-old, who has eight league goals for The Hammers so far this season, the club’s top goalscorer in the top-flight, spoiled an impressive performance at Vicarage Road after receiving his marching orders following a deliberate handball with just five minutes remaining.

It was Antonio’s powerful run and shot, that struck both posts, that eventually teed up Andre Ayew’s equaliser, but manager Slaven Bilic will now be without his main man against Chelsea next Monday due to suspension.

HOT – Everton’s European goal

Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Romelu Lukaku sealed a 2-0 win for The Toffees at home to Sunderland, extending the club’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine games.

Everton are now just four points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United, plus six points shy of the top four [Arsenal], if boss Ronald Koeman is ambitious enough to eye a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

The Merseyside outfit play Tottenham, West Brom, Liverpool and Manchester United within their next five Premier League fixtures.

Remain unbeaten through this tough period, and Everton will be on course for European football next season.

NOT – Mauro Zarate

The forward’s season is already over, after just his third appearance for Watford.

Zarate confirmed on Instagram that the Argentinian had suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament during The Hornets’ draw against West Ham on Saturday.

The 29-year-old, who only arrived at Vicarage Road last month from Fiorentina on a two-and-a-half-year deal, is expected to be sidelined for six months and faces a race to be fit for the start of the 2017-18 campaign.