Manchester City and Liverpool’s yo-yo race for the Premier League continued in typical fashion this weekend, while Manchester United finally broke into the top four at the expense of Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds returned to the top of the pile with a 3-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, but City replied in emphatic fashion by hitting Chelsea for six in a whitewash at the Etihad Stadium.
The Cityzens now lead with a substantial goal difference, but Liverpool will have a chance to move three points ahead in two weeks time when they play their game in hand at none-other than Old Trafford.
United will be looking forward to that game after moving up to fourth with a 3-0 triumph against Fulham, as Paul Pogba stole the show once again ahead of the club’s huge Champions League meeting against Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow.
There was movement elsewhere in the table though after some big performances, and here are the best of the lot in this week’s Team of the Week.
GK: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
Spurs ran out comfortable winners against Leicester but it could’ve been a completely different story if not for Lloris’ brilliance.
Not only did he save Vardy’s penalty to keep the score at 1-0, but he made nine saves at Wembley to keep the visitors at bay.
DEF: Phil Jones (Manchester United)
Jones celebrated his four-year contract extension at United in perfect style by helping the Reds to a comfortable win and clean sheet at Fulham.
He put in a professional performance alongside the returning Chris Smalling, making seven clearances, two blocks and two interceptions.
DEF: Joel Matip (Liverpool)
Matip played his part in Liverpool’s comfortable win against Bournemouth to put them temporarily back on top of the Premier League.
He’s barely featured this season but made 11 clearances, successfully won all of his tackles and won more than half of his duels to silence a relatively dangerous attack.
DEF: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City)
Many have been sceptical about Zinchenko’s future at City but for a player who joined the club as an attacking midfielder, he did a hell of a good job at left-back against Chelsea.
The Ukrainian star provided two assists in the six-goal thumping and won seven of his 11 duels whilst maintaining a 93% pass accuracy.
MID: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah was back in the goals at Anfield and could have had more as he continued his campaign for a second consecutive Premier League Golden Boot.
MID: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
Eriksen was at his best playing behind Fernando Llorente and Son Heung-mina against Leicester, providing the assist for Davison Sanchez’s opener before adding to the lead himself.
MID: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
I’m running out of words to describe Pogba whilst he’s on his current run of form. His two goals at Craven Cottage mean this is already his highest-scoring season ever.
Who’d have thought he’d have it in his locker simply by enjoying himself on the pitch?
MID: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Sterling put in another incredible shift for City against top six opposition on Sunday, this time it was Chelsea who felt the full force of his undeniable potential and current talent.
He scored twice to contribute to the 6-0 victory and won eight duels on another celebratory day for the champions.
FWD: Chris Wood (Burnley)
Wood scored two more goals for Burnley in their 3-1 win at Brighton and looks like he’s coming good in the Premier League.
FWD: Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Another United star consistently impressing under Solskjaer is Martial and the Frenchman notched up an assist and a goal, one of his best in England, on Saturday.
After picking up the ball on the half-way line he ran at least 50 yards before executing his trademark finish to make it 2-0. What a future he has in store.
FWD: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Player of the week. Again.
Two hat-tricks in a row for Aguero at the Etihad Stadium is impressive another, but the fact they’ve come against Arsenal and Chelsea have made them all the more eye-catching.
The City legend is now level with Alan Shearer on 17 Premier League hat-tricks. This league will miss his class when he’s gone for sure, just like it did after the Geordie superstar’s departure.