Juan Mata's starting place at Manchester United was at risk, but now he is doing more than enough to justify his role... he is a class act and so technically gifted

• Juan Mata's goalscoring record at United is excellent for a midfielder 
• You can't condone Diego Costa's actions, but it was what Chelsea needed
• I'd hate to pick out a promoted team to go down - they've all started well
• West Ham have been so impressive and nobody will want to play them 

By Jamie Redknapp for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:30 EST, 20 September 2015 | Updated: 03:52 EST, 21 September 2015

Sportsmail columnist Jamie Redknapp reflects on this weekend's Premier League action, with particular focus on Juan Mata's impact at Manchester United and Diego Costa's antics. 

THE SPECIAL JUAN!

Juan Mata might not necessarily be the main man for Manchester United going forward, but you cannot deny his goalscoring record at the club. It is excellent for a midfielder — only Robin van Persie (18) and Wayne Rooney (25) have bettered the Spaniard’s 17 strikes for United since he joined in January 2013.

With the signings made in the summer a lot of people assumed Mata would be the man to lose his place in the starting XI. Right now he’s doing more than enough to justify his place.

He must be a dream player to work with. He is a class act, never complains, is such a gifted technical player and with pace around him he can really make United tick. He’s the thinking man’s footballer.

Juan Mata has an excellent scoring record for a midfielder and must be a dream player to work with

CRAZY COSTA!

You can’t condone what Diego Costa did against Arsenal — he was very lucky not to get himself sent off. But in a funny way, it was exactly what Chelsea needed. 

They have been so passive this season. The hallmark of Jose Mourinho’s teams is their ability to be nasty and win ugly. This year Chelsea have been far too easy to get at. 

They needed to show some passion and there’s nothing like a derby game to ignite that spark. The win is by no means the end to their problems but it could be a turning point.

Diego Costa's antics on Saturday appeared to get Gabriel (second left) sent off... you can't condone that

BLACK CATS' WOE

It's been another miserable weekend for the North East. Newcastle were awful but at least they can point to a new manager and new players still settling in. 

But Sunderland show no signs of learning their lesson. They’ll probably end up sacking Dick Advocaat near the end of the season and hoping for the best. It’s the same old story.

Sunderland will probably end up sacking manager Dick Advocaat (pictured) and hoping for the best

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Leicester just keep going. They are such a pacy, fit team and they never know when they are beaten. They’ve scored eight of their 13 goals in the second half and four of those in the final 15 minutes. That’s why they keep fighting back.

Leicester just keep going and never seem to know when they're beaten - Riyad Mahrez (right) scored again

IT'S TOO CLOSE TO CALL

Normally at least one or two of the promoted sides look like relegation candidates. This year I’d hate to pick one out. Watford, Norwich and Bournemouth have all played good football and scored some superb goals — Matt Ritchie’s for Bournemouth (in the graphic below) was a stunner. 

The last time the promoted sides had this many points (24) at this stage was in 2010. They all have great squad depth and now they have the results to prove it.

Matt Ritchie (pictured) scored a stunner for Bournemouth against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon

HAPPY HAMMERS 

At the start of the year plenty of West Ham fans will have just been hoping to stay up to ensure they have Premier League football at the Olympic Stadium next year. With 12 points they’re already a third of the way there. 

To get nine points from the Emirates, Anfield and the Etihad is nothing short of sensational. Slaven Bilic has set his side up brilliantly for the counter attack and they have great pace going forward. 

Every time Dimitri Payet gets the ball you think something is going to happen and Winston Reid was colossal at the back against Man City. 

It just shows you how the Premier League is becoming more competitive as TV money filters further down the table. Confidence is sky high at Upton Park and nobody will want to play West Ham right now. I’m very impressed.

West Ham are in incredible form, most recently beating Manchester City... nobody will want to play them now

ARSENE'S ANGUISH 

Everyone expected Arsenal to go close this year. They were brilliant at the end of last season and when they bought Petr Cech it looked like they meant business. Then to not buy any outfield players was an unbelievable decision. They have huge reserves of cash so why did they not buy anybody? 

The worst thing about the defeat at Chelsea is that it wasn’t a surprise at all. Next up it’s Tottenham in the Capital One Cup at White Hart Lane, which is the last fixture Arsene Wenger would want. 

It’s the biggest derby game for a long time and, after a bad defeat in the Champions League, Arsenal fans will not accept another poor performance. Lose again and the pressure will be huge.

Arsene Wenger's decision not to buy any outfield players was unbelievable and Wednesday is huge for them

SUPER SAIDO

Saido Berahino might have wanted to leave West Brom in the transfer window but it didn’t look like it from the way he celebrated his goal at Villa Park. He’s gone from not wanting to play for the club ever again to back in the side and scoring. 

Tony Pulis has managed the situation very well and Berahino is an exciting young player. Now he just needs to keep his head down and play.

Saido Berahino (right) endured a difficult summer at West Brom but is now back and scoring goals