Liverpool stand alone at the top of the Premier League table after easing past Southampton 3-0 courtesy of a superb first-half performance from Xherdan Shaqiri that exemplified the depth of talent in Jurgen Klopp's dressing room. They will surely battle for the Premier League title through to May, although Manchester City are looking like they could hit triple digits again having won 5-0 away from home without Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva.

Chelsea's winning streak came to an end due to a gutsy West Ham performance that set a template for the Blues' future opponents, while Fulham clawed back a point against Watford thanks to an impressive half-time tactical switch.

Here are three things we learnt from the weekend action:

1) West Ham teach the Premier League how to stop single-minded Chelsea

Chelsea's tactics were too predictable at the London Stadium on Sunday, suggesting Maurizio Sarri needs to coach a greater variety of attacking moves to his players; after West Ham's resolute display, lots of other Premier League managers will be copying the model set by Manuel Pellegrini. They sat in a deep, narrow blockade, rarely pressing outside their own third but – crucially – they didn't drop their defensive line into their own penalty box.

This was a courageous decision from Pellegrini and it paid off. Chelsea constantly looked to play through the centre via Jorginho's passing but simply couldn't work through such a crowded area in front of the D. Had West Ham dropped deep, rather than remain on the edge of the box even when Chelsea were 30 yards from goal, then eventually the visitors would have found spaces to shoot.

Chelsea should have been able to solve this problem via clipped passes over the top but they lacked willing runners. Perhaps fearful of West Ham's speed on the counter neither Marcus Alonso nor Cesar Azpilicueta made runs in behind to receive diagonal passes. Better in-game management is needed if Chelsea are to avoid similar frustration in the future.

2) Jokanovic is ready to shows greater caution after leaky start to the season

Fulham conceded 13 goals in their first five Premier League matches thanks to Slavisa Jankovic's open, possession-based 4-3-3 formation, and it looked as though it would be another long day on Saturday when Andre Gray scored within two minutes. However, at half-time the Fulham manager switched to a 4-4-2 formation and his side played with considerably greater caution, suggesting Jankovic is learning that his team cannot be quite so expansive at this level.

Watford mustered just five shots on goal in the second period, down from an average of nine in the previous five games. Fulham's switch to using deeper wide midfielders helped balance the midfield after a first half in which Watford easily counter-attacked down the flanks. In a 4-3-3 Fulham's forwards don't track back, while the midfielders were not applying enough pressure in their won half. Watford's long diagonals caught them out time and again, with the physicality of the two forwards causing problems as they dropped into the huge pockets of space between the centre-backs and midfielders.

These spaces were closed out when the roles were simplified in a 4-4-2, giving Jokanovic plenty to think about before his team's trip to Everton next weekend. Fulham must show greater caution tactically this season, even if that means sacrificing the playing style that got them promoted.

3) Shaqiri performance suggests Liverpool won't struggle to break teams down this season

A lot of people were surprised that Liverpool's form didn't drop after Philippe Coutinho's departure to Barcelona, but the Brazilian's importance under Jurgen Klopp was long overstated. Coutinho's trickery in tight spaces against defensive teams helped unlock opponents, but the Klopp gegenpress doesn't rely on traditional playmakers very often. However, after Coutinho left, Liverpool did drop points against all three clubs that were eventually relegated. Klopp needed someone for these sorts of matches. In Xherdan Shaqiri he has found a replacement.

Southampton could well go down this year and are certainly the kind of team Liverpool would have struggled to beat in 2017/18. Instead, Shaqiri ghosted into pockets of space in the number ten zone, driving at the heart of the Saints defence to open up channels for the Liverpool forwards. The Switzerland international played a big role in the first and third goals on Saturday.

Here was yet another sign of Liverpool's squad depth – and their serious title credentials.

Best of the Week – Man City's dominance without Silva or De Bruyne

Last season Man City looked significantly weaker without their two talismanic midfielders David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne, who function as double playmakers in the half-spaces for Pep Guardiola. City looked a bit lost without them, as if unsure who to pass to or by what methods they should be sewing things together in the final third. At Cardiff City on Saturday Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva stepped into the positions brilliantly.

They had 131 touches of the ball between them and completed six key passes, ending with a goal and an assist each. Gundogan was particularly impressive in the all-action De Bruyne role, dictating the tempo with aplomb, while Silva continued his good start to the season by mimicking his namesake. The Portugal international has been converted into a very different kind of player under Guardiola, gliding through the middle and sneaking into the half-spaces like a player far more experienced than he is. David Silva has clearly taught him a lot.

Worst of the Week – Brighton's tame first half performance

Following three straight defeats Tottenham Hotspur were there for the taking at Brighton, and most expected Chris Hughton's side to ruffle Spurs' feathers as they did in the 3-2 victory over Manchester United earlier in the season. Instead, Brighton were surprisingly languid, giving their opponents far too much time on the ball to pick a pass and get in behind.

They upped the tempo significantly in the second half (presumably after Hughton had woken them up with a stern team talk) but by then it was too late. Spurs had rediscovered their confidence and eased into a two goal lead. Brighton need to consistently bust a gut if they are to survive relegation again.