Sadio Mane, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard in team of the week
Chelsea are ten points clear at top of table after another round of Premier League matches
The Blues restored their double-digit lead with a win over West Ham on Monday following a weekend in which Arsenal fell to another damaging defeat, this time against Liverpool. Man United could only draw against Bournemouth but both Man City and Spurs maintained their pursuit of the leaders with wins over Sunderland and Everton respectively.
Who were the stars of the weekend action? Here's The Week's pick of the experts' picks:
Goalkeeper: Artur Boruc (Bournemouth)
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It's a unanimous choice for the number one jersey this week, with the Cherries veteran named in every side. "Aged 37, on his way out, with Bournemouth hoping to sign a replacement... it was an outstanding performance to deny Manchester United including a fine penalty save," says Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph.
Defence: Martin Olsson (Swansea City), Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace), Aleksandar Kolarov (Man City)
"The signing of Olsson from Norwich in January "has worked out very well for Swansea", says ESPN. The full back produced "another inspired display on the left flank that included a goal as Burnley were beaten 3-2".
On loan Liverpool defender Sakho was "magnificent" for Crystal Palace against West Brom says Garth Crooks of the BBC. The centre-back "continues to put his body on the line for Palace in the same way he did for Liverpool. How the Reds can dispense with the services of Sakho with the defence they have is worth a debate all by itself."
Kolarov impressed for City at centre-back says the Daily Mirror. "Neat in possession and solid in the challenge, the Serbian dribbled out from the back four times and ought to be part of Pep's defence long term."
Midfield: Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane (both Liverpool), Nathan Redmond (Southampton), Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace), Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Anfield star Lallana is now as influential for Liverpool as he was for Southampton, says Crooks of the BBC. "Against Arsenal, he helped make Sadio Mane's goal and was superb in prising the opening that led to Georginio Wijnaldum's slick finish." Talking of Mane, he makes the Daily Star team thanks to his goal and assist against the Gunners. He "stood out" in an "excellent attacking performance", says Burt of the Telegraph.
Saints winger Redmond scored twice in the 4-3 win over Watford to earn 14 Fantasy Premier League points. "Close to securing the most improved player of the season, Redmond has been a phenomenon", says the Mirror. The paper is also impressed by Milivojevic. "The £10.8m signing from Olympiacos screens the back four well and adds balance alongside Yohan Cabaye," it says.
Chelsea star Hazard simply "gave West Ham no chance" purrs the Daily Star after another fine performance on Monday night.
Attack: Harry Kane (Spurs), Fernando Llorente (Swansea)
The Tottenham striker was "unlucky not to bag a hat-trick" against Everton, says the Mirror. He is in outstanding form and his goals come in all sorts of ways, as he proved on Sunday, says the paper. "Eight goals in his last four games show his clinical approach in front of goal with Spurs well set to make the top four and provide the best challenge to Chelsea for the title."
Swansea forward Llorente could also have had a hat-trick at the weekend, but he, too, had to settle for a brace as the Swans beat Burnley. He is "an old-style centre-forward with a touch of class who, with the right service into the box, suddenly becomes a defender's nightmare", says Crooks of the BBC.
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