Michael Carrick called Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Leeds a "fresh start" on Sunday. No doubt that encapsulated the sense of relief the manager felt after watching his side battle and duel better than they had all season, showing the commitment that had been missing from most performances so far.

He will be pleased Bryan Mbeumo's form is a continuation of what went before, though - about the only player who has shown a shade of consistency during this difficult start. Three of Mbeumo's four Premier League goals have put United 1-0 ahead this term.

His strike against Leeds marked an important momentum shift in a game that could have otherwise got away from them. Fortunately for Carrick, Mbeumo has been a reliant source since his switch from Brentford, his 15 goals more than any other United player since his debut - including Bruno Fernandes.

Just two victories from 10 games in all competitions means Carrick is not off the hook. But while Mbeumo keeps scoring, he's got something positive to hook performances on. Especially while Fernandes continues to look off-colour.
Laura Hunter

Eberechi Eze has spent a year at Arsenal since leaving Crystal Palace, but questions remain over whether he is ready to become one of the club's leading figures as their ambitions continue to grow.

His talent is undeniable. The real concern is whether he can influence games consistently, and the trip to Nottingham Forest presented another opportunity to silence his doubters.

With Arsenal struggling to break down Forest, Eze had the chance to make a difference. Instead, he was substituted at half-time, watching from the sidelines as Noni Madueke replaced him and went on to score the 80th-minute winner.

Roy Keane's assessment on Sky Sports was telling, suggesting his concerns extended beyond a single performance.

"We're still waiting for him, the talent is there," Keane said. "We just want him to be at Arsenal and be able to take responsibility and try to be the main man at a big club."

That is the challenge facing Eze. At Crystal Palace, he was the focal point, the player expected to create chances and turn games in his team's favour. At Arsenal, however, talent alone will not earn him that status. He must deliver consistently, particularly in tight contests when his team need inspiration.

Ian Wright offered some important context, describing Eze as a "moments player" who benefits from having players around him and can become isolated on the left.

There is merit to that argument. Eze offers a different threat to Madueke, whose pace, directness and willingness to take on defenders gave Arsenal a fresh dimension in the second half.

Yet that only underlines the challenge facing the former Palace man. While Madueke seized his opportunity and made an immediate impact, Eze failed to leave his mark on the contest.

Competition for places is healthy at a club with Arsenal's ambitions. For Eze, though, the task is no longer simply to showcase his ability in flashes. He must demonstrate that he can influence games regularly, take responsibility when his team need him and establish himself as a first-choice player.

The talent is there. Now, Eze must prove he can turn that potential into consistent performances and become one of Arsenal's main men.
William Bitibiri

There was only so long Nottingham Forest could rely on defensive resilience before their lack of goals caught up with them. Now they are in the relegation zone.

Oliver Glasner's side have failed to score in every Premier League home game this season, and their defeat to Arsenal highlighted why they are in trouble.

Forest competed and created opportunities but lacked the quality in the final third to make their efforts count.

Liam Delap struggled to make an impact against Arsenal's defence, summing up a frustrating afternoon. Forest needed someone to take responsibility but their attacking play lacked conviction.

That is the worry for Glasner. Defensive organisation can only take a team so far; they still need goals to win matches.

Forest are now in the relegation zone with just five points. Their performances offer some encouragement, but until they find a reliable source of goals at the City Ground, it is difficult to see their situation improving.
William Bitibiri

There was a time when Hurzeler could barely win over his own supporters. Now he has Brighton dreaming again.

Back in February, Hurzeler was booed off at the Amex after a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. The frustration was palpable. Questions were being asked, patience was wearing thin.

Fast forward to this 5-0 demolition of their fiercest rivals and the transformation is remarkable.

This is what happens when a club refuses to panic. Brighton could have pulled the trigger when the noise around Hurzeler was at its loudest. Instead, they trusted their process and back their man.

That faith is now paying dividends.

Brighton have always prided themselves on smart decision-making, from recruitment to managerial appointments.

Hurzeler is the latest example of that philosophy working.

And what better way to underline that progress than by dismantling Palace?

The boos of February feel a long way away. Brighton are going places.
Lewis Jones

Crystal Palace won three trophies in the previous two seasons. On this evidence, they look a million miles away from those glories.

This was Pierre Sage's worst day as Palace boss by some distance. There have been defeats this season where you could at least point to some decent football, a positive spell or an individual performance worth celebrating. At the Amex, there was nothing. No resistance, no response.

Brighton ripped them apart in a 5-0 humiliation that exposed just how far Palace have fallen. The defensive holes were glaring. Replacing Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix was never going to be straightforward but the scale of the problem is becoming impossible to ignore. Palace look vulnerable every time opponents turn up the pressure.

Last weekend, Nottingham Forest missed seven big chances in their defeat to Palace. That was a warning sign, perhaps one that was easy to dismiss with three points in the bag. Brighton offered no such charity. They punished Palace's mistakes ruthlessly.

Sage must find answers quickly. If Palace continue to concede chances at this rate, the pressure on their manager will grow with every passing week. Their recent trophy haul feels a long way away.
Lewis Jones

Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose must have grown tired of constantly explaining how well his side had played in defeat this season, a recurring theme for the Cherries as they looked for a first Premier League win of the season under their new head coach, but no more after Sunday's much-needed, but hugely deserved victory over fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Sure, the hosts were helped on their way to the the three points by some calamitous defending from the Black Cats, but it was more that they forced their opponents into those mistakes, including for both their goals, as well as Kevin Danso's 17th-minute red card.

In fact, such was Bournemouth's dominance from start to finish at the Vitality that their final xG of 4.46 was their highest on record in the Premier League, with the German even joking after the game that he might now treat himself to a non-alcoholic beer.

It may have taken Bournemouth seven league matches to get off the mark but anyone who has watched them this season knows that first victory was just around the corner. They must now build on it, especially at home, where they have lost one of their last 15 top-flight contests.

Maintaining the Vitality as a fortress will go a long way to ensuring another fine campaign.
Rich Morgan