Ozil, Cazorla, Eriksen, Kane join Walters in team of the week
Arsenal and Spurs both provide three players while Stoke's hat-trick hero leads the line
It's as you were at the top of the Premier League table this week after leaders Chelsea held second placed Man City to a draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The result maintains the Blues’ five-point lead over the current champions and although Man United and Arsenal both won, the chasing pack remains a long way off the division's two pace setters.
Still, it was an encouraging week for the teams hunting European places, with the notable exception of Southampton. Wins for Arsenal, United and Spurs suggest that the battle for top five spots will go down to the wire, while Liverpool are also advancing up the table, and leapfrogged West Ham with victory over the Londoners on Saturday.
At the foot of the table, Leicester remain bottom and an 11th straight away defeat for QPR leaves them in 19th, level on points with Hull.
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But it is Spurs and Arsenal who dominate this week's team of the week. Here's our pick of the experts' picks:
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Spurs)
The Frenchman's contribution to Tottenham's 3-0 win over the Baggies should not be underestimated. The keeper "was imperious at West Brom and made two world-class saves that denied Saido Berahino and James Morrison", says ESPN.
Defence: Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland), Hector Bellerin (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton).
Only three at the back this week, and Black Cats full back Van Aanholt gets one of the berths after he, too, impressed the ESPN panel. The 24-year old "may well be getting to grips with the rigours of the Premier League" and his "lung-busting run and precise cross allowed Connor Wickham to score Sunderland's opening goal".
Young Arsenal defender Bellerin also gets the nod. "The youngster capped an excellent performance with Arsenal's fifth goal", notes Goal.com. Alongside the full backs is Everton man Jagielka. He made more clearances than any other player this weekend, while no Everton player recorded more interceptions than the England centre back against Crystal Palace, notes MSN.
Midfield: Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil (both Arsenal), Daley Bind (Man United), Remy Cabella (Newcastle), Christian Eriksen (Spurs)
Arsenal's diminutive Spaniard continues to impress. "Kept Arsenal ticking along as per usual, with a fine touch and awareness," says Goal.com. "Laid one on a plate for Theo Walcott and added one of his own from the penalty spot." Cazorla's German colleague Ozil is sometimes accused of lacking passion and desire, says Garth Crooks of the BBC. But he also has "an extraordinary amount of talent and a determination" which "destroyed" Aston Villa.
Blind's statistics speak for themselves says MSN. "Blind provided his first Premier League assist for Manchester United against Leicester, completed 94 per cent of his attempted passes, and made more interceptions than any other United player." Newcastle playmaker Cabella has struggled at times since joining the Magpies but he gave his best performance for the club as they beat Hull on Saturday. "Talent clearly resides within the slight-of-frame playmaker and that much was evident from his opening goal, an uncompromising drill from outside the penalty area to mark his first for the club," says the Daily Mail, which makes him man of the match.
The final spot goes to Spurs man Eriksen who is "playing with such authority and purpose that it has helped transform Tottenham's season and left fans dreaming of Champions League qualification", says Crooks of the BBC.
Attack: Jon Walters (Stoke City), Harry Kane (Spurs)
A unanimous choice for this week's team is Stoke's hat-trick hero Walters, who is selected as a striker after scoring three goals despite usually playing in midfield. Not only was he in every pundit's team of the week, he also top scored in fantasy football with 19 points. "Terrific", says Garth Crooks.
Alongside him is another Spurs man in Kane, whose breakthrough season is becoming a Roy of the Rovers affair. "Led the line and took his first goal brilliantly, dipping inside Andre Wisdom and drilling it past Ben Foster before converting a penalty precisely for his 20th goal of the season," says Goal.com.
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