Normal service was resumed at the Etihad on Saturday evening as Manchester City moved to within a point of table-topping Arsenal, with Erling Haaland taking his tally for the season to 22.

The Norwegian failed to score for the first time in 10 games at club level at Anfield last weekend, but quickly made amends by showing his immense pace and power to latch onto Ederson’s long ball, round Robert Sanchez and barrel Adam Webster off the ball to tap into an empty net for the opener against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Haaland then smashed home his 17th Premier League goal of the campaign from the penalty spot.

“He is there to score the goals,” said Kevin De Bruyne of his prolific teammate. “It’s just the start, he is doing what he needs to do.”

Brighton are still to win under new boss Roberto De Zerbi but did push the champions back after the break when Leandro Trossard fired in at the near post.

But another piece of City brilliance, this time from De Bruyne, killed the game off as the Belgian curled in from outside the box.

Elsewhere in the evening, Everton ended a run of three straight defeats by beating Crystal Palace 3-0 at Goodison Park.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return from injury is a huge boost for Frank Lampard’s men and the England international showed quick feet to fire home his first goal of the season early on.

Anthony Gordon then tapped in the second just after the hour mark before Dwight McNeil rounded off the scoring six minutes from time.

Victory lifts the Toffees above Palace on goal difference into 11th.

Meanwhile, Casemiro rescued Manchester United as the Brazil midfielder grabbed his first goal for the club in stoppage-time to salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag’s side were seconds away from defeat after Jorginho’s 87th-minute penalty put Chelsea ahead in United’s first match since Cristiano Ronaldo was sent in to exile.

But former Real Madrid star Casemiro ensured United left west London on a six-match unbeaten run as he netted with a header that was awarded by goal-line technology after crossing the line by millimetres.

Ronaldo was missing from the United squad after being dropped by Ten Hag after his refusal to come on as a substitute in Wednesday’s win over Tottenham.

Ten Hag's decision to lay down the law to Ronaldo could signal the beginning of the end for the Portugal attacker in his second spell with United.

It would be no surprise if United and Ronaldo parted ways in the January transfer window, but Ten Hag’s men did not appear troubled by the striker’s latest petulant outburst.

With Ronaldo banished, United were still the stronger side for long periods, while there were no chants in support of the 37-year-old from the visiting fans packed into one corner of Stamford Bridge.

Fifth-placed United remain one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions since Graham Potter replaced the sacked Thomas Tuchel.

The only concern for United was the sight of France centre-back Raphael Varane limping off in tears in the second half after a World Cup injury scare.

Varane’s leg twisted awkwardly as he stretched in a failed attempt to intercept a pass towards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, leaving him crumpled in a heap on the pitch for several minutes.

The 29-year-old was eventually able to walk around the pitch unaided, but his angst at potentially missing the World Cup, which starts on 20 November, was clear as he punched the corner flag in frustration.

VIBRANT UNITED

Lost in the fuss over Ronaldo’s antics was the vibrancy of United’s performance against Tottenham and they retained that quality at the Bridge.

A flurry of passes cut through Chelsea’s midfield to create the first chance for Luke Shaw, who fizzed his low drive just wide of the far post from the edge of the area.

Teed up by Bruno Fernandes, United winger Anthony was next to threaten with a left-foot curler that forced a good save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Marcus Rashford’s return to form has played a role in keeping Ronaldo on the bench this season.

However, Ronaldo would surely have delivered a better finish than Rashford managed midway through the first half.

Fernandes’s pin-point pass opened up the Chelsea defence, leaving Rashford one-on-one with Kepa but a poor first touch took him away from goal and his shot thudded into the Chelsea keeper’s chest.

Rashford didn’t let that mess drain his confidence and he surged into the Chelsea area for a fierce strike that Kepa palmed away.

With Chelsea being over-run in central areas, Potter responded by replacing centre-back Marc Cucurella and sending on midfielder Mateo Kovacic in a bid to disrupt United’s rhythm.

Chelsea finally managed a menacing raid after Kovacic’s introduction as Aubameyang stabbed just wide.

Aubameyang couldn’t get the decisive touch to a pair of half-chances moments later but United were unfazed.

Christian Eriksen flashed narrowly wide from 25 yards before Anthony missed a glorious chance, the winger firing wide after Fernandes sent him racing clear on goal.

Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah hit the bar with a second-half header from Mason Mount’s cross.

And Potter’s men looked to have won it in when Scott McTominay needlessly fouled Armando Broja and Jorginho calmly slotted past David De Gea.

But four minutes into stoppage time, Casemiro rose highest for a superb header that Kepa could only tip onto the post, the ball bouncing down just over the line to spark wild United celebrations. (Pieced together from various reports by AFP)