Ramsey, De Bruyne, Mahrez and Lanzini star in team of the week

Chelsea have yet to play this week, but they could be crowned Premier League champions as early as Friday thanks to West Ham's surprise victory over Spurs on Friday night.

That result means that if Chelsea beat Middlesbrough tonight and West Brom on Friday they will win the title before Tottenham kick another ball.

In the race for the top four, Man City were the big winners this weekend when they thrashed Crystal Palace, while Liverpool were held to a draw by Southampton. Man United lost to Arsenal, who still have a slim chance of forcing their way into the equation.

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At the bottom, Swansea moved out of the bottom three with a win over Everton, which leaves Hull in danger of the drop. Boro will be relegated if they fail to beat Chelsea tonight.

But who were the stars of the weekend action? Here's The Week's pick of the experts' picks:

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster (Southampton)

The giant Saints stopper kept Liverpool at bay on Sunday after making a string of saves and stopping a James Milner penalty. "Only Vito Mannone (13) has made more saves against Liverpool in a Premier League game this season than Forster (8) did in Sunday's draw," notes Goal.com.

Defence: Alfie Mawson (Swansea), Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi (both Manchester City)

Swansea's shutout of Everton was impressive and centre-back Mawson was key to the result. Not only is he skilled in defence, "Mawson also provides a goal threat himself and is more than comfortable in possession", says Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph.

Man City skipper Kompany got on the scoresheet against Palace but that was not his only contribution, says Garth Crooks of the BBC. "What impresses me about Kompany is his ability to lead. Since his return to first-team action from a horrendous run of injuries, the Belgium captain has shown a tremendous run of form. His very presence engenders confidence and belief in everyone who plays alongside him. The improvement in Nicolas Otamendi's performance, for example, has been amazing."

Talking of Otamendi, he also scored for City and takes the final berth in the back three. "The Argentine made 11 clearances for City, at least seven more than any of his teammates against Crystal Palace," says Goal.com.

Midfield: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey (both Arsenal), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), Billy Jones (Sunderland)

A change of formation at Arsenal has done wonders for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is operating as a wing-back to good effect. "His recent renaissance has seen him play an impressive part as the Gunners keep the top-four flame flickering," says ESPN. "An all-action performance in the home win over Manchester United was crowned by the cross from which Danny Welbeck made it 2-0."

Ramsey is the second Arsenal man in the team. "It has been a frustrating season for Ramsey, who sometimes gives the impression that he tries too hard to score from midfield," says Burt of the Telegraph. "But he showed far greater discipline in the win over Manchester United."

De Bruyne was at the heart of Man City's win on Saturday and was the top Fantasy Premier League scorer with 17 points thanks to a goal and two assists. "He was involved in everything City did," says Crooks of the BBC.

Leicester star Mahrez scored the second of the Foxes' three goals against Watford. "There are some players that you just love to watch. They move well across the turf, glide past opponents, make goals for others and on their day make the team tick," says Crooks. Mahrez is one of them and against Watford he "looked amazing".

Sunderland may be down but full back Jones showed his class against Hull, says ESPN. "Good defensive work was allied with the sort of attacking adventure that saw him conjure up a superb diving header to open the scoring."

Attack: Sam Vokes (Burnley), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham)

Burnley's match winner on Saturday was the "unsung but almost always effective" Vokes, says ESPN. "The Wales striker's brace for Burnley against West Bromwich Albion ... took his team to the 40-point mark, and his nonstop work epitomises what the Clarets are about."

Lanzini's strike for West Ham against Spurs was celebrated in west London as well as east, as it all but hands the title to Chelsea. It also secures Premier League football for the Hammers next season. "Lanzini has been West Ham's and [Slaven] Bilic's saviour," says Crooks of the BBC. "The Argentine has not only filled the vacuum left by [Dimitri] Payet but produced a quality and a style of football that has made West Ham look more like a team and not one dependent on the performance of one individual."