Liverpool moved back to the top of the Premier League table but may come to rue their inability to find a winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford; Jurgen Klopp's side have now drawn three of their last four in the league while Manchester City's confidence continues to grow following their League Cup triumph on Sunday.
The match at Wembley will forever be remembered for Kepa Arrizabalaga's extraordinary refusal to be substituted, a situation that very near led to Maurizio Sarri walking out of the job there and then. The Chelsea manager looks doomed now, Kepa's actions overshadowing what had been a surprisingly pragmatic tactical approach by the manager.
Here are three things we learnt from the weekend action:
1) Sarri finally shows pragmatism but it's too little too late
For the first time this season Maurizio Sarri relaxed his philosophy, finally showing humility and tactical flexibility as Chelsea sat back to absorb pressure at Wembley. They were notably deeper than in the 6-0 thrashing by Man City two weeks earlier, which made their shape more compact and pressing less frantic. The knock-on effect was a more assured performance from several key players.
N'Golo Kante was considerably improved, naturally finding himself in a deeper role and able to get closer to Jorginho throughout the contest, while their struggling defence – so often caught out with balls in behind – were sturdier in a narrow blockade. What's more, Sarri's substitutions were notable for getting fans' favourites Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek onto the pitch. Aware that his job was on the line, Sarri finally appeared to listen to his critics and adapt.
But it is surely too late following Kepa Arrizabalaga open mutiny towards the end of extra-time. Sarri was humiliated and undermined, left looking hopelessly isolated by a squad that is not willing to listen to their coach's instructions.
2) Klopp's switch to 4-4-1-1 prevents Liverpool from winning at Old Trafford
Given Man Utd's mounting injuries Liverpool really ought to have won late on at Old Trafford, turning the screw until the hosts caved. To have scored in the final 20 on Sunday would have provided a huge psychological boost to Liverpool's title challenge, whereas the draw perhaps makes Man City favourites again.
The key moment was Jurgen Klopp's decision to substitute Jordan Henderson for Xherdan Shaqiri in the 72nd minute. Shaqiri should have come on in the first half when Roberto Firmino got injured, but not for Henderson; the England international had screened superbly throughout the game, and without him at the base of midfield Liverpool could no longer keep their hosts penned into their own half. The game became disjointed, partly because of the unfamiliar 4-4-1-1 Liverpool switched to, and the two teams ultimately settled for a draw.
It is telling that Liverpool failed to have a single shot at a goal after Henderson was removed with 20 minutes left. This was a missed opportunity Klopp may well regret in the months ahead.
3) Miguel Almiron shows creative guile that will keep Newcastle up
No player in the Premier League completed more key passes this weekend than Miguel Almiron's six on Saturday, early evidence that the Paraguay international, signed from Atlanta United in January, has the creative spark that Newcastle United have been missing. Almiron was superb on his home debut, hitting the crossbar and linking the midfield with Salomon Rondon throughout.
The only caveat is that Huddersfield Town are not really Premier League opponents; Gonzalo Higuain scored a brace on his home debut for Chelsea against the Terriers and hasn't found the net since. Almiron will have far bigger tests, but nevertheless Newcastle fans have every right to feel excited about their new playmaker. Cutting in from the left wing, Almiron ran the show – and helped create space on the overlap for left-back Matt Ritchie, who attempted 13 crosses on Saturday.
Best of the Week – Alexandre Lacazette's performance
Arsenal's routine 2-0 victory over Southampton was defined by the link-up play of Lacazette, testament to Unai Emery's tactical coaching and the development of the France forward during the 2018/19 campaign. Whereas previously Lacazette would run the channels, he is increasingly dropping deep to link with the midfield, completing five dribbles from within the central column of the pitch on Sunday.
Lacazette began the move that led to his sixth minute opener by dropping back into his own half, winning the ball, weaving past a midfielder and spraying it out wide. It was an action that would not have happened under Arsene Wenger – and the sort of deep-lying centre-forward play that will be of even greater importance when Aaron Ramsey leaves the club in the summer.
Worst of the Week – Tottenham's lack of tempo at Burnley
Mauricio Pochettino may have been furious about the refereeing at Turf Moor, but in truth Burnley deserved their win after Tottenham Hotspur failed to play with enough tempo in central midfield. The hosts confidently defended their own third because Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks were too laboured in possession, waiting for options instead of quickly recycling the ball; the only way to beat Burnley in this form is quickly switching the play from wing to wing, stretching Sean Dyche's side out of their shell.
The visitors' leggyness was typified by Harry Kane, rushed back from injury for a game in which sharpness was always likely to be a key factor.
