Things are tight at the top of the Premier League after joint leaders Man City and Arsenal could only draw at the weekend, enabling Man United and this season's surprise package Leicester City, who are third in the table, to close the gap.
Last season's Champions Chelsea continued their remarkable run with yet another defeat, this time against Stoke, although it was reported on Monday that manager Jose Mourinho had been given a stay of execution even though his side are, incredibly, 16th in the table, three points above the relegation zone.
But who were the star performers on a weekend on which Spurs were denied victory in the north London derby, Jamie Vardy found the net for the ninth game in a row and Jurgen Klopp was left dismayed by exodus of fans at Anfield? Here's The Week's pick of the experts' picks:
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Goalkeeper:
Rob Elliot (Newcastle United)
A fabulous display from the Magpies stopper earned Steve McClaren's team their second win of the season against Bournemouth, who had 20 shots during the match. Elliot though was credited with five saves by Fantasy Premier League and was a near unaniomous choice, earning a place in Harry Redknapp's team of the week in the Daily Telegraph, among others.
Defence:
Glen Johnson, Ryan Shawcross (both Stoke City), Scott Dann (Crystal Palace), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
Two members of the Stoke backline that kept Chelsea at bay make this week's team. "Former England right back Johnson has impressed since his free transfer from Liverpool and will be pleased to have come out on top against one of his former clubs," says the Daily Mail. And although Chelsea "absolutely battered Stoke in the second half [they] couldn't stick the ball in the back of the net", says Garth Crooks of the BBC. "The contest between Shawcross and Diego Costa was very entertaining but I gave Shawcross the verdict on points."
Palace centre-back Dann headed the winner for the Eagles against Liverpool. "Apart from leading the line superbly well, cajoling those alongside into position and allying some neat distribution to his physical game, Crystal Palace's Scott Dann proved the difference in their 2-1 win against Liverpool," says the ESPN selection panel.
Gibbs was also a goal scorer this weekend, and although he did not start the match he "came off the bench, played higher up the pitch than usual and was the hero for his side with a late equaliser", according to Goal.com.
Midfield:
Dusan Tadic (Southampton), Dele Alli (Spurs), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Southampton's Serbian winger was impressive against Sunderland and kept his cool to score the winner at the Stadium of Light from the penalty spot, says the Daily Mail.
In the north London derby, Alli was one of the stand-out performers for Goal.com. It says the "19-year-old caught the eye with a performance which belied his years up against the likes of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin".
On the opposite side at the Emirates was Ozil. "He's Arsenal's one-man supply line and a Premier League record-breaker to boot," says ESPN, noting that he provided an assist for the sixth consecutive match. "Every ball he put in was menacing, and if Olivier Giroud could actually finish, Arsenal would have beaten Tottenham rather handsomely on Sunday," say the panel.
The final berth goes to Manchester United goalscorer Lingard, one of only two players to score 11 Fantasy Premier League points this week. His goal was as "good as you will see" says Crooks of the BBC. "However, it was his overall performance that was most impressive. The youngster always seemed to make himself available and was not afraid to take people on in the opposition's box when it mattered."
Attack:
Harry Kane (Spurs), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Kane's composed finish at the Emirates could have won the north London derby for Spurs and he was a "constant threat" to Arsenal, says ESPN. "He worked tirelessly and his finish from his first big chance of the game underlined his class."
Alongside Kane is the man of the moment, Vardy, who scored for a ninth straight Premier League match. He won the spot kick against Watford and then seized the ball from usual penalty taker Riyad Mahrez before firing home. He "became the first Englishman to score in nine consecutive Premier League goals and needs to find the net in Leicester's next clash away at Newcastle to equal Ruud van Nistelrooy's record", says the Daily Mail.
