Cesc Fabregas doesn't look like he's behind Jose Mourinho, Tottenham in good stead for the future, the perfect weekend for Manchester United

Seven things we learnt this weekend: What can Steven Gerrard bring to Liverpool that he hasn't already, how Eddie Howe must change tactics to give Bournemouth a chance, Everton leave West Ham far from impressed and why Swansea should not sack Garry Monk too soon

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas gave the ball away four times in 24 minutes in the loss to Stoke (Getty Images)

Fabregas did nothing to show he remains behind Mourinho

Both Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard put in significantly improved performances for Chelsea despite the 1-0 defeat by Stoke on Saturday evening, but the same cannot be said for some of their team-mates. With Mourinho absent from the sidelines due to his one-match stadium ban, this was a chance for the Blues to step up and prove they are behind the manager and take some of the headlines away from the under-pressure Portuguese.

However, the introduction of Fabregas in the 70th minute – having been dropped to the substitutes’ bench once again – did little to change the momentum of the game. In fact, the Spaniard gave the ball away four times in the 24 minutes he was on the field, and his lazy reaction to losing possession did not resemble a player fighting for his manager. Perhaps those reports of a mutiny weren’t that far off the mark.

Spurs show hallmarks of a team that can build into something special

It’s not often Tottenham put in such a convincing 60 minute performance and come away nearly losing the north London derby. There were times during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal where the Gunners looked to have no response to Spurs as they managed to cut apart the defensive pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny for Harry Kane’s goal.

Given they have the average youngest squad in the Premier League, there is reason to be optimistic at White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino has built a core of young English talent, with Kane joined by the likes of Eric Dier, Ryan Mason and most recently Dele Alli. The club could soon find themselves in a similar position to Arsenal, where one marquee signing a season will push them into constant top-four reckoning.

‘Boring boring Man United’ enjoy the perfect weekend

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal urged fans to boo him rather than the side, but their 404 minutes without a goal until Wayne Rooney’s strike against CSKA Moscow in midweek certainly gave fans at Old Trafford reason to be frustrated. United looked on course for another stalemate against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday until Jesse Lingard netted his first goal for the club after the break, and just 25 hours later things were looking pretty rosy for United.

With Manchester City and Arsenal dropping points in their respective draws with Aston Villa and Spurs, and both Liverpool and Chelsea suffering defeat, it turned out to be a perfect weekend for Van Gaal’s side. That said, Van Gaal would’ve had an even bigger smile on his face had Leicester seen their unbeaten run come to an end. Who’d have thought?

What will Gerrard bring to Liverpool that he didn’t last season?

As The Independent exclusively revealed last week, Steven Gerrard looks set for a return to Anfield in some capacity, be it as a player or coach. The sight of the former Liverpool captain back at the stadium where he spent 17 years as a player during Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace was a welcome sight for the Kop faithful, who still feel bemused at how their favourite son was allowed to leave in the first place.

How much can we expect Gerrard's presence on Merseyside to benefit those currently in the squad?

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However, Gerrard was with the club during last season’s struggles, and it must be assumed that he had a significant impact on the rest of the squad in terms of an experienced head. Should he return to try and offer some guidance, how much can we expect his presence on Merseyside to benefit those currently in the squad? Having the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Danny Ings fully fit would be far more beneficial.

Howe must change Bournemouth ways to stand any chance of survival

It’s credible that Eddie Howe has promised to stick by his guns and retain Bournemouth’s possession football despite their winless run stretching to six Premier League matches, but the alarming injury list at Dean Court means the Cherries aren’t really in a position to do so. They’re missing four key players in Callum Wilson, Tyrone Mings, Max Gradel and Tommy Elphick, and any team would struggle were they to lose the spine of their side for a long period.

However, for a team in a relegation dogfight from the get-go, Bournemouth can’t afford to leave it too long. Howe must learn to adapt and win points at all costs, even if that means abandoning his philosophy for a short time in order to get victories on the board. Newcastle did that against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, where two shots yielded one goal compared to Bournemouth’s 20 efforts for no return.

Hammers left far from impressed with Everton tactics

Roberto Martinez has longed been praised for his ability to get sides playing with the ball on the ground, but it was the defensive tactics of his side that left a bitter taste in the mouth of West Ham fans after Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

Star playmaker Dimitri Payet was forced off the field shortly after half-time following a nasty challenge from James McCarthy that warranted a yellow card for the Toffees midfielder, while his replacement, Enner Valencia, lasted just 19 minutes before he two had to leave the field – though this time it was a tackle from Seamus Coleman that did the damage.

West Ham's Dimitri Payet is injured by a tackle from Everton's James McCarthy (Getty Images)

Are Swansea being lured into the world of the manager merry-go-round?

Surprising reports emerged in the Monday morning papers that Swansea are considering sacking manager Garry Monk after a run of one win in their last nine games in all competitions. This comes after the Swans took 8 points from 12 at the start of the season, including an impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United and a credible draw at Chelsea on the opening day of the season.

If anyone should be given time to turn things around, it is Monk. The former defender was thrown in at the deep end with his first managerial role coming at the Liberty Stadium after Michael Laudrup left the club, and Monk promptly delivered with an eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season. With their next three matches coming against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Leicester – games they could conceivably take at least five points from – Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins should hold fire before pulling the trigger.