Five things we learned from the weekend's Premier League, EFL, European football

1 Brazilian just fab for Liverpool

So many players earn praise for Liverpool, from goalkeeper Alisson to potential Ballon d'Or centre-back winner Virgil van Dijk, flying full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, plus the obvious front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

However, the man who knits it all together in midfield is Fabinho and the underrated Brazilian certainly made his mark at Anfield on Sunday with an unstoppable screamer to put Liverpool ahead in their eventual 3-1 win over Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

Fabinho's goal was outstanding but so too was his all-round play, protecting the defence, calmly passing through the City press and always ready to cover should Alexander-Arnold get caught forward.

He took a while to settle to life in England - Jurgen Klopp did not give him a Premier League start until October 27 last year - but the former Monaco man is now integral to the Merseysiders' title bid.

2 Leicester City fly best in the second half

Arsenal will have gone in at the break reasonably pleased with their efforts at the King Power Stadium before being ripped apart in the second half of Leicester's 2-0 win on Saturday.

It continued a theme of the Foxes growing into matches and their young, hungry side are able to wear down opponents over the course of 90 minutes as Brendan Rodgers' outfit tightened their grip on one of the Champions League qualification spots.

Leicester have a goal difference of plus 17 in the second half, scoring 19 and conceding just twice. They have been drawing at the break and going on to win in three of their last four matches which could be something to keep an eye on as the campaign continues.

3 It's time West Ham found a new goalkeeper

Lukasz Fabianski is not expected to return from injury this side of Christmas and that is terrible news for West Ham, who face Tottenham, Chelsea, Wolves, Arsenal and Southampton before December 26.

Replacement Roberto, who had a shocker against Newcastle and was at fault for Everton's opener, once again struggled as the last line of the Hammers' defence in the woeful 3-0 defeat against Burnley.

The Spanish stopper is out of his depth on set-pieces and the low point came with a comical own goal at Turf Moor.

David Martin is the only other experienced option which means they could need to be creative, either bringing in an out-of-contract goalie on a short-term plan or making a deal which sees a current goalkeeper paid off from his current contract to become a free agent.

Otherwise Roberto will be targeted with crosses at every available opportunity and he does not look up to the job.

4 Michael O'Neill makes immediate impact at Stoke City

Football is a simple game made complicated by idiots was a quote made famous by Liverpool legend Bill Shankly and Stoke's new boss Michael O'Neill certainly got back to basics in his first match at the helm.

The 4-2 victory at Barnsley was aided by Sam Clucas's halfway-line opener, but O'Neill fielded players in their correct positions, something previous boss Nathan Jones struggled with as he attempted to force his beloved diamond formation on the side.

Full-backs played at full-back, there was a return for experienced centre-back Bruno Martins Indi, and James McClean and Tom Ince seemed to enjoy a return to roles on the flanks.

It's really not rocket science and Sky Bet Championship strugglers Stoke will believe the only way is up under O'Neill.

5 Hansi flicks switch for Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich put down a serious marker in the Bundesliga title race as caretaker coach Hansi Flick led the German giants to a 4-0 win over supposed closest rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Flick has made big calls - David Alaba at centre-back, Leon Goretzka over Thiago in midfield and Thomas Muller ahead of Philippe Coutinho as the number ten - and it all worked out in Der Klassiker.

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