Coutinho, Firmino, Hazard and Pogba in team of the week
Liverpool and Chelsea dominate this week's selection while Zlatan Ibrahimovic also earns a place
Liverpool strode to the top of the Premier League after a resounding win over Watford on a weekend when Arsenal and Manchester City could only draw.
Chelsea, who also enjoyed a big win over Everton on Saturday, are up into second. Spurs remain in fifth, five points behind Liverpool, after holding the Gunners to a 1-1 draw in the north London derby.
Manchester United returned to winning ways against Swansea, and although the result moves them up to sixth, level on 18 points with Everton, they are still eight points off the pace.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But who were the stars of the weekend's action? Here's The Week's pick of the experts' picks.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)
Sunderland finally recorded their first win of the season when they beat Bournemouth on Saturday and Pickford was the star. "David Moyes has the 22-year-old to thank for the three points, after the youngster stopped several Cherries chances with some spectacular saves," says Metro.
Defence: Marcos Alonso, David Luiz (both Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Hull City)
The Chelsea defence was resolute on Saturday and kept a clean sheet while the forwards cut through the Toffees. Alonso proved he is "more than just a backup option", says the Daily Express. He scored one and impressed by "commanding the entire left flank". Alongside him Luiz impressed once again and "is rightly praised for sticking it to some of the critics who wrote him off on his return to the Premier League", says ESPN.
Hull were in desperate need of a result and they got one against Southampton. "If there was ever a day when you wanted your captain to step up to the plate for his team-mates and manager... this was it," says Garth Crooks of the BBC "Dawson did just that with both a commanding display at the back and the winning goal."
Midfield: Mousa Dembele (Spurs), Paul Pogba (Man United), Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino (both Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Spurs had Dembele to thank for taking a point home from the Emirates on Sunday. "Winning the penalty that Harry Kane scored was not the only impact the midfielder had, with the 29-year-old largely keeping Mesut Ozil quiet as well as driving his team forward," says Metro.
Pogba scored a wonderful volley to get United moving against Swansea, but that wasn't his only contribution, says Goal.com. "Pogba made a game-high 98 passes against Swansea, at a 95.9% completion rate," says the website.
Alan Smith of the Daily Telegraph picks out Coutinho as one of the stars of the weekend and Garth Crooks of the BBC agrees. "October's player of the month is playing so well at the moment it seems quite likely – after Liverpool's performance against Watford – he will receive November's award as well... Liverpool are riding high at the moment largely because of Coutinho's exploits."
His teammate and fellow Brazilian Firmino also makes the cut thanks to his "exceptional movement and awareness", according to Paul Mariner at ESPN.
The final midfield berth goes to another attacking player, Hazard, the week's top Fantasy Premier League top scorer with 19 points. He scored twice and provided an assist in what was the "stand-out Premier League performance of the season", says the Express.
Attack: Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man United)
A third Liverpool attacker makes the cut as one of the forwards. "Mane netted with two of his three goal attempts against Watford, and was one of seven Liverpool players to create at least two chances," says Goal.com, while Garth Crooks of the BBC wonders if he could turn out to be the kind of player Luis Suarez was for the Reds.
The final spot in the team goes to Man Utd veteran Ibrahimovic. "It had been six Premier League games without a goal for the 35-year-old, and many had been calling for Jose Mourinho to drop the mercurial forward. However, that isn't how Zlatan works. Two goals later the Swede is back amongst it," says Metro.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published