Zaha, Benteke, Coutinho and Dier star in team of the week
Four Crystal Palace players and three from Leicester make the selection after another high-octane weekend
Could the Premier League title race be back on? Spurs have cut the gap at the top to seven points after Chelsea suffered a shock defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
If The Blues come unstuck against Man City in midweek and Tottenham follow up their weekend win over Burnley by claiming another three points against Swansea, the gap could even narrow to four points.
Aside from Spurs, Liverpool were the only other side in the top seven to win at the weekend, brushing Everton aside in the Merseyside derby to go third. Manchester City and Arsenal fought out a 2-2 draw on Sunday while Man United were held to a 0-0 draw by West Brom.
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.
At the bottom, Sunderland lost yet again and are now eight points from safety, while time is also running out for Middlesbrough, who drew with Swansea.
But who were the stars of the weekend action? Here's The Week's pick of the experts' picks.
Goalkeeper: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace)
Palace's goalie made 11 saves as his side withstood an "onslaught" from the champions-elect, says Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph. Hennessey "has come in for criticism this season, but this was his day", he adds.
Defence: Danny Simpson (Leicester City), Andrew Robertson (Hull City), Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace), Jonny Evans (West Brom)
Foxes full-back Simpson provided two assists as the reigning champions beat Stoke City. "His cross for the second was pinpoint, and he generally didn't put a foot wrong all game," says ESPN. It was a performance that earned him 15 Fantasy Premier League points, making him joint highest scorer this week.
Hull defender Robertson announced himself to those for whom he was unknown with a fine goal against West Ham. "Along with scoring Hull's first goal, Robertson attempted more passes than any Hull player on Saturday - 49," reports Goal.com.
Sakho is in exile from Liverpool but showed his class as Palace held on against Chelsea. "Since his arrival the Eagles have not stopped soaring," says Garth Crooks of the BBC. "If there was a tackle or header to be made he won it and at no stage did the defender look in the least bit fazed by the pressure posed by the Blues, who have an impeccable home record."
United's former defender Evans produced a "stellar performance" against his old team, says Metro. "He won some important tackles and headers and even went on a few successful dribbles at Old Trafford in the 0-0 draw."
Midfield: Eric Dier (Spurs), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Spurs's utility man Dier started in defence but ended the game in midfield - and with a goal to his name, says TalkSport. It was "one of his best performances of the season".
Coutinho was a popular choice this weekend after his stunning strike against Everton in the Merseyside derby. "The Brazilian danced his way through the Everton defence before finding the top corner. Top class," says the Daily Mirror.
But the one player to get even more plaudits was Palace winger Zaha, who has had quite a week, says Crooks of the BBC. "He scored a sensational goal for Ivory Coast in midweek and continued in the same vein against Chelsea. It wasn't just Zaha's confidence on the ball that was so impressive - we know he can play - but his overall contribution to the collective team effort was outstanding."
Ndidi scored a cracker for Leicester against Stoke, but he did more than that to impress Metro. "The rest of his performance was impressive too with strong passing stats that saw him misplace just three of his 55 attempted passes."
Attack: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Benteke was on target as Palace stunned Chelsea and formed a formidable partnership with Zaha. "The former Liverpool striker led the line for Crystal Palace beautifully against Chelsea and gave David Luiz and Gary Cahill a torrid time in every department," says Crooks of the BBC.
Leicester's resurgence has coincided with that of Vardy, who now has five goals in six games. He scored with a "truly thumping strike" against Stoke, says ESPN, and was "a nuisance to the Potters defence throughout".
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
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US 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
-
Man City’s financial charges: what next for the Premier League champions?
feature The club is alleged to have breached financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period
By Mike Starling Published