Manchester City and Liverpool continue to refuse to give an inch in their Premier League title battle, with both claiming smart away wins last weekend.
Liverpool took all three points at St James' Park as they defeated Newcastle United 1-0 through Naby Keita, while Pep Guardiola's men responded with an emphatic 4-0 triumph at Leeds. With just four games remaining for each, they remain separated by just one point, with champions City in charge of their own destiny.
Once upon a time, Chelsea had looked like potential title candidates, but Thomas Tuchel's side have long since fallen by the wayside and they slumped to a 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Everton on Sunday. Having seen Burnley win at Watford 24 hours prior, it was a much needed win for the Toffees. There were also victories for Aston Villa, Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton and Crystal Palace in a weekend where there wasn't a single draw.
But which players shone? Who came to the fore and made a difference for their side? Here's Mirror Football's latest Team of the Week...
Jordan Pickford (Everton)
The England No.1s display against Chelsea showed precisely why he has been Gareth Southgate’s undisputed first choice for the better part of five years as Frank Lampard’s men claimed a much-needed three points.
"Pickford's saves have kept Everton's dreams alive," said the former Everton midfielder Leon Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live, and the 28-year-old was indeed outstanding in keeping Chelsea at bay.
His second-half denials of Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger were both magnificent and brave, while he commanded his penalty area with authority and personality. The general consensus around Pickford is that he plays better for his country than his club, but he’s actually been the Toffees most reliable player for much of the current campaign; this was his standout display however.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
The Portuguese international was typically everywhere as the league leaders fought their way to a 4-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Cancelo was his usual smart, industrious self with the ball, prompting attacks and probing for holes in the home defence, but also defended diligently to ensure City were able to contain counter-attacks - while also making an outstanding late goal-line clearance.
Rob Holding (Arsenal)
Deputising for the injured Ben White, Holding showed why he remains an important member of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad, even if not first choice. Now 26, he has never really stamped down a spot in the first XI as his own throughout his six years at the Emirates, but he is a reliable, no-nonsense centre-back who leads by example and knows how to marshal a defensive line.
He opened the scoring at the London Stadium with a fine header, but it was when West Ham attempted to apply late pressure and summoned Michail Antonio from the bench that Holding came into his own. If a clearance needed to be made, he made it. When a header needed to be won, he won it. It was little wonder he was named man of the match.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Arsenal finish in the top four this season? Let us know in the comments
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
In a potentially tricky trip to upwardly-mobile Newcastle United - in a Saturday 12:30pm kickoff on the back of Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final win over Villarreal, no less - the Dutchman was rock solid as Jurgen Klopp’s men claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win.
At times he made it all look so effortless, despite being faced with the dazzling feet of Allan Saint-Maximin and the speedy Miguel Almiron, playing like a man firmly in command of whatever situation he faces.
Marc Cucurella (Brighton)
Graham Potter’s men recently won at both Arsenal and Spurs and added another away win to their record with a 3-0 dissection of Wolves at Molineux a game in which the 23-year-old Spaniard showcased why he was one of the signings of the season at just £15million.
Cucurella has been an outstanding addition for the Seagulls this term, and whether at left back, left wing-back or as one of three centre-backs - as in the Black Country - he has been largely excellent.
Wolves were toothless in attack and the ex-Getafe man played a big part in shutting down attacks with his speed and intelligent reading of the game, before getting Brighton moving forwards with his smart use of possession and ability to waltz out of defence and into midfield. If potential suitors aren’t asking how much it’ll cost to get him away from the south coast this summer, then they should be.
Naby Keita (Liverpool)
In a tight game Liverpool needed a moment of quality to decide the affair and they got just that from Naby Keita who, quietly, has put together a very tidy season at Anfield. The Guinean may not always be first choice due to injury issues and the fierce competition for places, but he rarely lets anyone down and took his goal superbly at St James’ Park.
Not only that, the ex-RB Leipzig man’s all-round display was mightily impressive, playing a key role in Liverpool’s pressing game and winning possession more than anyone else on the field (nine times). His intensity and ingenuity have come to the fore over the past six weeks, with Keita timing his best form for the season’s most crucial period.
Yves Bissouma (Brighton)
While Brighton are one of the most-tactically flexible sides in the entire Premier League, it says a lot that, no matter the changes in shape/personnel that are made, Yves Bissouma is always at the heart of the Seagulls’ side when available.
The Mali international showed his importance in the win over Wolves, in which he sat in front of a back three of effortlessly dictated the game, giving his teammates a platform from which to go and wreak havoc at Molineux. In a game where he faced off against Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, he dominated the midfield battle with a calm authority and assuredness, before sealing the win with a low 25-yarder that crept inside Jose Sa’s right-hand post.
Jack Cork (Burnley)
Since sacking Sean Dyche, Burnley have claimed three wins and a draw in four games to climb out of the relegation zone and bolster their survival hopes with caretaker boss Mike Jackson taking off the handbrake and giving the side more room to express themselves.
They didn’t do that in the first half against Watford, starting slowly and finding themselves behind at the break. But in the second half, they played with purpose and intensity, having seemingly realised the Hornets were there for the taking, with veteran midfielder Jack Cork playing a key role in dragging his side to the fore.
It was the 32-year-old who scored the equaliser and, amid a more front-foot second half display, no player in claret dispossessed an opponent or won more aerial battles than Cork. He pushed on and cajoled those around him to ensure that Jackson’s side claimed another victory with a 2-1 win, to keep up their momentum.
Heung-min Son (Tottenham)
The South Korean has been largely excellent this season and after Spurs’ recent attacking disappointments against Brighton and Brentford, he was back to something like his best in the 3-1 win over Leicester.
It was Son’s wicked delivery from a 22nd minute corner that allowed Harry Kane to open the scoring with a close range header, before Son himself doubled the lead in the second period with a fine pivot and finish.
He saved the best until last though, curling home beautifully from 25 yards with his weaker left foot to take him to 19 Premier League goals this season - only Mo Salah (22) has more.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Steven Gerrard made his choice from the moment he arrived at Villa Park that Ollie Watkins would be his main man in attack rather than Danny Ings, and the England international sealed Norwich’s fate with his display at Villa Park.
You can never fault Watkins’ work-rate and his speed and movement are a nightmare for opposing defenders, but perhaps he should be more ruthless in front of goal.
However, his ninth Premier League strike of the season was excellent, working himself space before smashing past Tim Krul into the net. He also helped create Ings’ late goal, winning back possession high up the field, a facet of his game that earns him plenty of plaudits.
The 26-year-old hasn’t hit the heights of his debut top-flight campaign, but there’s no reason why, if Villa improve next term, he can’t be hitting 15 goals-plus.
Richarlison (Everton)
He spends too long on the floor and whinging at officials, but when he fancies it, Richarlison is one hell of a forward capable of giving even the toughest of defences a tough time.. as Chelsea found to their cost.
The 24-year-old Brazilian worked his socks off for the Toffees cause on Sunday, chasing down loose balls, pressurising defenders and making even Thiago Silva - the coolest of cool centre-halves - look downright uncomfortable at times.
His winner was just reward for a fine centre-forward display, where he won more aerial battles (five) than anyone else on the field and showed why he can expect to be a part of Brazil’s squad when the World Cup rolls around in November. The question is: Will he still be an Everton player then?
