3 Up, 3 Down: Featuring Manchester United and Southampton stars

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Up: Claude Puel

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Southampton surprised many when appointing the relatively unknown Frenchman Puel in the summer, and even though his previous record suggested it was a savvy decision, few expected the Saints to be doing so well this season.

After failing to win in their opening four games, Southampton have picked up 11 points from their last five games, and their draw at Manchester City was a typical example of how good they have become. They held their shape excellently, Virgil van Dijk was colossal in defence and Nathan Redmond capitalised expertly on a lapse from John Stones at the back.

They may have been holding on at the end, but the Saints had the chances to win the game. With more improvement still to do, they could threaten the European places again.

Up: Eden Hazard

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Hazard is one of the most exciting, but infuriating players in the Premier League and Sunday afternoon’s demolition of Manchester United showed why is often billed as one of the division’s best.

Linking up with the bullish Diego Costa and the electric Pedro, Hazard tore United to shreds at times, scoring the third goal that killed off the challenge from the meek Red Devils.

Chelsea are now just a point behind the leaders, and if Hazard is playing well, they could take a real run at the title.

Up: Xherdan Shaqiri

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Much like Hazard, Shaqiri is a bit of an enigma of a player who can go from sublime to ridiculous in seconds, but his performance against Hull on Saturday was certainly an example of the latter.

His first goal was truly spectacular, curling in a brilliant left-footed strike from outside the box into the top corner, leaving David Marshall with no chance. The second was an excellent free-kick, this time placed in the bottom corner.

Stoke really missed Shaqiri when he was injured. They look so much more promising now he’s back.