Premier League chalkboard analysis

The Sunderland manager Steve Bruce decided to play three centre-backs at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday to deal with Stoke City's threat from set pieces, but the plan did not work as the home side scored all three of their goals from this route. The final two Stoke goals were similar – coming from excellent Jermaine Pennant free-kicks, and converted by Robert Huth, who made seven attempts on goal in the game despite playing at centre-back, the second highest of any player in the Premier League this weekend.

Bruce will be disappointed with the marking, but equally frustrated that his side committed so many fouls to allow Pennant to swing his free-kicks in. Sunderland gave away nine free-kicks in their own half of the pitch, which is a much higher figure than in recent games – they conceded five against Chelsea, six against Blackpool, and six against Newcastle.

With the arrival of Edin Dzeko, Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, has somewhat of a selection dilemma up front. Carlos Tevez has been one of the best players in the Premier League so far this season, playing a 'false nine' role by starting as a central striker, then dropping deep into midfield positions. Dzeko's arrival saw Tevez pushed out wide to the left in the recent defeat to Aston Villa, but for the weekend game against West Brom, Dzeko dropped to the bench and Tevez returned to the central position. City were 3-0 up by half-time, with Tevez scoring all three. It appears that there is no immediate position in the team for Dzeko, but he was keen to try to make an impression during his half-hour substitute appearance – he attempted the same number of shots on goal as he played successful passes.

Never before in Premier League history have a side been 4-0 up in a game and not gone on to win. Arsenal's capitulation against Newcastle United stemmed from two incidents just after half-time – Johan Djourou departing through injury and Abou Diaby being dismissed for grabbing Joey Barton by the neck and pushing him to the floor. The contrast between Newcastle's attacking threat before and after Diaby's 51st-minute red card is clear – no shots on target before, nine shots on target after.

The match between Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur saw an unusual battle down one flank. Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager, played Rafael van der Vaart in an unfamiliar right-sided role, and with him coming inside into the centre of the pitch, barely any tackles took place down Tottenham's right.

Michael Cox is the editor of zonalmarking.net