Premier League Title Race 2014-15 - Week 3 Recap, Analysis: Manchester United & City Sink, Chelsea & Liverpool Dominate

The third week of the Premier League featured some terrific action and the continued development of some unique storylines. Here are some major observations of the weekend that was.

Manchester United Needs More Than Di Maria

Angel Di Maria's debut was expected to be a source of inspiration for Louis van Gaal's troubled club. After a 4-0 beating at the hands of a third division side, no one thought it could get worse for the team from Old Trafford. While the 0-0 draw at Burnley was not as disastrous, it was close to it. Di Maria was solid throughout the game, but the result was the same. The forward duo of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney is completely out of sink, and the team's defenders are always one mistake away from a cataclysm.

This really is low point for the 2012-13 champions.

Joe Hart is still a problem

The goal that the Manchester City netminder conceded against Stoke City was not completely on him. That Mame Diouf was even allowed to run all the way up the pitch was the result of patchy defensive work from the side. But the keeper, faced with a one-on-one situation played it poorly. Diouf was a bit wide of the goal and certainly had little space to shoot at. But he fired it low and hard and through Hart's gaping legs. The enigmatic keeper should have been privy to that as Diouf did not have any other option but to shoot it low and at him. Most goalkeepers make that save. Hart, who is known for making horrific errors, is not one of them.

Thank god Manchester City has Will Caballero. He doesn't make those kinds of mistakes right?

Arsenal needs a striker

The Gunners are in big trouble, especially after a poor result at Leicester City. The team was the clear favorite in Sunday's game, but the lack of a scoring punch resulted in a 1-1 draw that felt more like a defeat. The team simply lacked the finishing touch without a real striker. Everyone saw what Olivier Giroud could do in last week's 2-2 draw at Everton. He gives the team presence up front an target man that can finish. Yaya Sanogo is nowhere near that level and Alexis Sanchez is not a natural striker.

The Chilean scored again, but he is used to making runs deeper into the midfield to help the possession game. He cannot stay stationary up front and that makes it more difficult for his teammates to make that final pass. Moreover, his slight frame makes it easy to defend against in the event that he did play that natural number nine.

Without a striker this team is going to struggle mightily to score. Even Giroud returns, he is no sure bet. The Frenchman is known for his inconsistent play and that is not about to change. Arsene Wenger has one day to go to make something happen. Otherwise this will be déjà vu all over again for Gunners fans.

Chelsea Rolls, Everton Struggles

A tale of two teams was on display in Saturday's best match. Chelsea ran out with a 6-3 win over Everton and continued to prove that they are the top side in the Premier League. The defensive gaffes were worrying, but the offense is clearly not a problem anymore. The additions of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa are paying off in spades. This team looks like a juggernaut.

Meanwhile Everton has yet to earn a point and has now hit rock bottom in an effort that is not worthy of the team that made so many strides in 2013-14.

Liverpool still dominates Spurs

The 3-0 win on Sunday was on the same level as the 5-0 and 4-0 wins Liverpool enjoyed over Tottenham and it looks like the Reds are certainly not as bad as the 3-1 defeat against Manchester earlier this week. Mario Balotelli fit in nicely with his new side while the remainder of the players found a new gear that had not been present in the first few weeks of 2014-15.