It was undoubtedly the most engaging weekend of the Premier League season so far and the 40 goals to fly in came within a whisker of breaking records. Defenders seemingly under little pressure - most notably Sunderland's Santiago Vergini - thrashed through their own net to aid already swashbuckling attacking oppositions up and down the country. Rather cruelly, it was a sight to behold. An average of four goals-a-game was just three short of the most scored during a 10-fixture set in the 20-team era. Graziano Pelle scored twice as Southampton thrashed Sunderland 8-0 at St Mary's this weekend . Saints were helped on their way enormously by the barbaric own goal of Black Cat Santiago Vergini . The weekend was three goals shy of February 2011's 43-goal record (as Cheick Tiote scored vs Arsenal) Tiote netted a late equaliser as Newcastle battled back from four goals down to draw 4-4 against Arsenal . Louis Saha heads home as Everton beat newly-promoted Blackpool 5-3 at Goodison Park on February 5, 2011 . Matchday 8 - 40 goals . Matchday 7 - 27 goals . Matchday 6 - 26 goals . Matchday 5 - 32 goals . Matchday 4 - 30 goals . Matchday 3 - 32 goals . Matchday 2 - 23 goals . Matchday 1 - 26 goals . That came in February 2011, with Everton, Arsenal, Newcastle and Wigan all scoring four goals or more on the Saturday as the weekend totalled an astonishing 43. The Toffees knocked five past gung-ho Blackpool after coming back from 3-1 down at Goodison Park. Events at St James' Park were even more surreal as the Gunners - home and dry four goals to the good at the break - somehow conspired to only leave the North East with a point. Cheick Tiote rifled in a stunning 87th minute equaliser to finish one of the most dramatic afternoons in British football. Roberto Martinez's Wigan had got in on the act, edging a seven-goal thriller with James McCarthy netting twice from midfield. The clashes on that weekend - February 5/6 - were far closer than some of the thumpings handed out this time. James McCarthy wheels away in delight on scoring for Wigan against Blackburn on the same afternoon . Sergio Aguero scored all four goals as champions Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on Saturday . VIDEO Aguero one of the best strikers in the world - Pellegrini . Steven Caulker follows the ball in after scoring an own goal during QPR's last-gasp defeat against Liverpool . Harry Redknapp's side had looked like taking all three points after Eduardo Vargas' late goals off the bench . Southampton dazzled as much as Sunderland were dismal at St Mary's - Graziano Pelle notching two as Dusan Tadic pulled the strings for Ronald Koeman's side. Helped drastically by Vergini's moment of madness and Liam Brudcutt's bundled own goal, of course, but Saints offered reasons to believe they are capable of continuing their early promise. Four-goal Sergio Aguero had earlier swept Tottenham aside at the Etihad Stadium in the 4-1 win while Everton comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-0. Taking into consideration what had preceded it, the four swings in the final moments at Loftus Road as Liverpool somehow overcame QPR was as predictable as it was stunning. It meant - when taking Sunday's matches into consideration - that there were eight more nets bulging than any other matchday this campaign.
Southampton thumped Sunderland 8-0 at St Mary's on Saturday .
Manchester City had earlier beaten Tottenham 4-1 thanks to Sergio Aguero .
It almost beat the 43 goals scored in February 2011 .
That record stands from the inception of a 20-team league in 1995 .
Everton, Arsenal, Newcastle and Wigan all scored four times that weekend .
It was undoubtedly the most engaging weekend of the Premier League season so far and the 40 goals to fly in came within a whisker of breaking records. Defenders seemingly under little pressure - most notably Sunderland's Santiago Vergini - thrashed through their own net to aid already swashbuckling attacking oppositions up and down the country. Rather cruelly, it was a sight to behold. An average of four goals-a-game was just three short of the most scored during a 10-fixture set in the 20-team era. Graziano Pelle scored twice as Southampton thrashed Sunderland 8-0 at St Mary's this weekend . Saints were helped on their way enormously by the barbaric own goal of Black Cat Santiago Vergini . The weekend was three goals shy of February 2011's 43-goal record (as Cheick Tiote scored vs Arsenal) Tiote netted a late equaliser as Newcastle battled back from four goals down to draw 4-4 against Arsenal . Louis Saha heads home as Everton beat newly-promoted Blackpool 5-3 at Goodison Park on February 5, 2011 . Matchday 8 - 40 goals . Matchday 7 - 27 goals . Matchday 6 - 26 goals . Matchday 5 - 32 goals . Matchday 4 - 30 goals . Matchday 3 - 32 goals . Matchday 2 - 23 goals . Matchday 1 - 26 goals . That came in February 2011, with Everton, Arsenal, Newcastle and Wigan all scoring four goals or more on the Saturday as the weekend totalled an astonishing 43. The Toffees knocked five past gung-ho Blackpool after coming back from 3-1 down at Goodison Park. Events at St James' Park were even more surreal as the Gunners - home and dry four goals to the good at the break - somehow conspired to only leave the North East with a point. Cheick Tiote rifled in a stunning 87th minute equaliser to finish one of the most dramatic afternoons in British football. Roberto Martinez's Wigan had got in on the act, edging a seven-goal thriller with James McCarthy netting twice from midfield. The clashes on that weekend - February 5/6 - were far closer than some of the thumpings handed out this time. James McCarthy wheels away in delight on scoring for Wigan against Blackburn on the same afternoon . Sergio Aguero scored all four goals as champions Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on Saturday . VIDEO Aguero one of the best strikers in the world - Pellegrini . Steven Caulker follows the ball in after scoring an own goal during QPR's last-gasp defeat against Liverpool . Harry Redknapp's side had looked like taking all three points after Eduardo Vargas' late goals off the bench . Southampton dazzled as much as Sunderland were dismal at St Mary's - Graziano Pelle notching two as Dusan Tadic pulled the strings for Ronald Koeman's side. Helped drastically by Vergini's moment of madness and Liam Brudcutt's bundled own goal, of course, but Saints offered reasons to believe they are capable of continuing their early promise. Four-goal Sergio Aguero had earlier swept Tottenham aside at the Etihad Stadium in the 4-1 win while Everton comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-0. Taking into consideration what had preceded it, the four swings in the final moments at Loftus Road as Liverpool somehow overcame QPR was as predictable as it was stunning. It meant - when taking Sunday's matches into consideration - that there were eight more nets bulging than any other matchday this campaign.
to fly in came within a whisker of breaking scored twice as Southampton thrashed Sunderland 8-0 at St Mary's this weekend . Saints were February 2011, with Everton, Arsenal, Newcastle and Wigan all scoring four goals or more on the twice from midfield. The clashes on that weekend Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on Four-goal Sergio Aguero had earlier swept