Premier League weekend: 10 things we learned as Leicester prove why they're title favourites

The Foxes' triumph over Manchester City put the 5000/1 pre-season outsiders in the box seat to win a first Premier League crown

Box seat: Leicester are now title favourites after a frantic weekend

What a weekend!
At home and abroad - a series of results shed light on some things, and cast a looming shadow over others.
Leicester City are undoubtedly the team of the weekend in the Premier League, after going to title favourites Manchester City and coming away with a 3-1 win to go five points clear at the summit.
There was less good news for Gary Neville over in Spain, after he watched his Valencia side slip to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis - making it 12 league games without a win for the former England defender.
Here are 11 things we learned from the weekend...

1. Mesut Ozil likes playing Bournemouth

Action Images via Reuters

By Neil McLeman
The German has scored twice since November – both times against last season's Championship winners.
His craft is just what the Cherries lacked, though most teams could use a £42m playmaker.

2. Lingard has an outside chance for the Euros

Reuters

By John Cross
Roy Hodgson was at Stamford Bridge to watch what has traditionally been a top of the table clash.
It’s got a different context these days with Chelsea labouring in the bottom half of the table and Manchester United’s main target is simply top four.
But one player to surely have caught Hodgson’s eye must have been Jesse Lingard.
Lingard has scored three important goals recently, against Newcastle, Stoke and now at Stamford Bridge.
His goal at Chelsea was a peach. He controlled the ball, span and fired it into the top corner.
Hodgson got some stick for calling up Lingard a few months ago. If Lingard keeps playing and progressing then no-one will question his next call-up. He might even be in with a chance of the Euros.

3. Ranieri's spirit a joy to watch

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By David McDonnell
Even with his side 3-0 up and heading for a six-point lead at the top, Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri was still in the technical area, cajoling and berating his side, his enthusiasm and spirit refreshing to watch, just like his team.

4. Adebayor can be an asset for Palace

Getty Images

By Andrew Gwilym
A first start in over a year was always going to be a challenge for the Togo international, but he did enough to suggest he will be an asset to Palace even if his full debut did not go his way.
Gave away the free-kick for Sigurdsson’s goal, but will get better as he finds his fitness.

5. Norwich spending spree looks wasted

PA

By James Nursey
Promoted City spent £25million on eight new players in January but they are yet to get any return on their investment.
New right-back Ivo Pinto was dropped for this game and Timm Klose looked unsure at the back. Steven Naismith was a willing runner but looked on a different wavelength to team-mates and was subbed.

6. Barkley must be England regular

Clive Mason

By David Anderson
Ross Barkley must be key for England at Euro 2016.
Barkley showed what an instinctive genius he is with his backheel in the build-up to the penalty for Everton's first goal and such players are priceless in big tournaments.

7. Spurs are hot off the press

By Mike Walters
As well as having the youngest team in the Premier League, Tottenham also press with the most urgency.
In areas of the pitch where others are happy to yield possession or territory, Mauricio Pochettino preaches emphasis on closing down space and working feverishly to regain the ball.
Harry Kane may be at his best around the box, but he was not too shy to track back 50 yards at full tilt to rob Nathan Ake.

8. How the absence of a manager affects players

By David Maddock
There was little doubt Liverpool were slow out of the blocks here, and not at their usual game of pressing and closing the opposition high up the pitch.
They weren't helped by first half injuries to Dejan Lovren and Joe Allen, which knocked them off their stride further, but it seemed the urgency of Klopp was missing.

9. So Aleksandar Mitrovic can score

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By Simon Bird
The Serb needed that goal, after a blank spell and many a missed chance. Mitrovic collected the ball from Shelvey's wonderful pass and kept his cool to slide home under the advanced Ben Foster.
It was a good job Mitro made amends for being offside when Cheick Tiote lashed in a stunning 30 yarder, which was eventually disallowed.

10. England blessed for goalkeepers

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By Adrian Kajumba
With Fraser Forster returning from injury looking as sharp as ever and Jack Butland's emergence this season Joe Hart has some genuine rivals pushing him for the England spot.
Forster was heroic against Arsenal in midweek and produced another important save to keep out Winston Reid's first half header.
He also notched a fifth clean sheet in a row since his return.