Premier League leaders Manchester City responded to Liverpool’s victory over West Ham by thrashing derby rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Arsenal beat Watford 3-1 to move into fourth place whereas Chelsea maintained their grip on third by beating Burnley 4-0.
Newcastle eased their relegation considerations with a 2-1 win over Brighton, as did Brentford with a 3-1 win at Norwich City, however Leeds United couldn’t enhance their state of affairs as supervisor Jesse Marsch’s first recreation resulted in a 1-0 defeat by Leicester City.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory against Southampton, and Crystal Palace beat Wolves 2-0.
But what you wish to know is: who made my Team of the Week? Check it out under after which make your individual alternatives at the backside of the article.
Goalkeeper – Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City)
Kasper Schmeichel’s save from Jack Harrison was first rate, and the different from Daniel James was higher, however the cease together with his legs from Raphinha, who had the objective was at his mercy with the keeper on the floor, was not solely good however a game-changer.
Schmeichel’s efficiency in opposition to a rejuvenated Leeds was essential. Leicester’s type has been erratic not too long ago whereas Leeds, underneath new administration, have been in the temper to show a degree.
Sadly their ending wasn’t as much as it. I do marvel what Don Revie and Billy Bremner would have mentioned about an American managing Leeds United in the prime flight, in what’s quickly turning into a relegation battle.
Did you realize? Leicester City registered back-to-back clear sheets for the first time since February 2021.
Defenders – Fabian Schar (Newcastle United), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Fabian Schar: Last week Fabian Schar was making objectives, this week he is scoring them. It was nice motion and a superb header and the Magpies are flying.
It’s the second consecutive time that Schar has made my staff of the week and if he retains on enjoying like this he would possibly make my staff of the season.
It’s not that way back Newcastle have been in the backside three and preventing for his or her lives. I do not know who’s advising the new homeowners however they have all the main choices completely spot on since their arrival at St James’ Park. As for Eddie Howe, he should be a candidate for supervisor of the season.
Did you realize? No staff is on an extended unbeaten run in the Premier League than Newcastle, who’re with out defeat of their previous eight video games in the competitors.
Thiago Silva: Aaron Lennon had finished brilliantly to get to the byline and pull the ball again for Wout Weghorst however the Burnley centre-forward’s shot was kicked off the line by Thiago Silva.
The defender’s positioning on the goalline was completely excellent. Not solely did he save Edouard Mendy, who regarded like he had been caught out of place, however he enabled Chelsea to maintain a clear sheet.
Whoever’s thought it was to deliver Silva to Chelsea is a genius. The man is 37 years of age and appears like he may play in the Premier League till he is 40.
Did you realize? Chelsea have received their previous three Premier League video games, having received simply three of their earlier 11 in the competitors previous to this run.
Joao Cancelo: The deal with on Anthony Elanga in the second half as the recreation was beginning to get attention-grabbing was emphatic. For a defender who does not know an ideal deal about Manchester derbies, Joao Cancelo definitely let Elanga know he was in a recreation.
If Aaron Wan-Bissaka was having bother down their proper facet with Phil Foden, then Cancelo had Elanga in his pocket.
Big video games require massive gamers however I used to be alarmed by Paul Pogba’s poor contribution on this one. If ever a fixture was made for him, this was it – and he allowed it to simply go him by.
Did you realize? Manchester City accomplished the league double over Manchester United for the fifth time – and first since 2018-19.
Midfielders – Reece James (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
Reece James: The return of Reece James to Chelsea’s beginning line-up was telling. Thomas Tuchel left the England worldwide out of the beginning line-up in opposition to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last and Chelsea suffered for it.
Goals are invaluable in any staff and if you change goalscorers with warning it may be expensive. James’ return on Chelsea’s right-hand facet for the injured Cesar Azpilicueta in opposition to Burnley paid off in a significant method.
James won’t be nearly as good in defence as the Spaniard however he provides you rather more going ahead. His second-half end and help for Kai Havertz set the tone for a superb away win.
Did you realize? With 5 objectives and 6 assists, Reece James is one of three English gamers to register each a minimum of 5 objectives and 5 assists in the Premier League this season – together with Jarrod Bowen and Mason Mount.
Philippe Coutinho: Villa Park is buzzing once more and it is all right down to Philippe Coutinho. When Steven Gerrard landed the companies of the Brazilian he did say that when the participant was totally match he would play a significant half in Villa’s development and that appears to be the case.
Coutinho is making gamers play throughout the pitch. Why his transfer to Barcelona did not work out is tough to fathom however I have not seen a participant have such an impression on a Villa staff since Jack Grealish.
It appears to be like like Coutinho has effectively and really changed Grealish – and at a fraction of the price. Coutinho for Grealish appears to be like like good enterprise finished by Villa.
Did you realize? Philippe Coutinho has been concerned in six objectives in 4 residence Premier League video games for Aston Villa. He has each scored and assisted in three of his final six residence appearances in the competitors in all.
Kevin de Bruyne: His first objective was put away with consummate ease, whereas his second was tucked away with the authority of a participant with one hand on the Premier League title and no intention of letting go of it.
De Bruyne led his staff on to the pitch with the colors of Ukraine draped round their shoulders in a powerful present of solidarity.
I do not know if he or his team-mates have been impressed by that however they definitely performed prefer it. De Bruyne is again to his finest and with him on this temper I would not guess in opposition to City successful the title if he can stay match.
Did you realize? Kevin de Bruyne is the fourth Manchester City participant to attain twice in opposition to Manchester United in a house Premier League recreation after Niall Quinn (1993), Shaun Goater (2002) and Sergio Aguero (2013).
Riyad Mahrez: Manchester United had each cause to stroll off the pitch at the finish of this Manchester derby wanting completely dejected, having been on the receiving finish of actual mauling. The Etihad Stadium, on the different hand, was leaping attributable to City’s sheer superiority.
Riyad Mahrez struck two of the sweetest strikes you’ll ever see. City could be six factors clear at the prime of the desk however Liverpool have a recreation in hand and the slightest slip would allow them to in.
Liverpool do not play the high quality of soccer City do however that will not cease them from getting their arms on the title given the alternative.
Did you realize? Only Mohamed Salah (27) has scored extra objectives in all competitions this season than Riyad Mahrez (21) amongst Premier League gamers.
Forwards – Ivan Toney (Brentford), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Ivan Toney: He had a bit of a barren spell adopted by harm not too long ago however Ivan Toney got here again with a powerful hat-trick in opposition to a Norwich facet who’ve misplaced that little bit of fizz which Dean Smith’s arrival delivered to the membership.
This was an enormous away win for Brentford and could possibly be a turning level of their season. I used to be somewhat involved that the west London membership may get sucked right into a relegation struggle however to date they’ve saved themselves out of the backside three and in a spot of relative security.
A punter not too long ago requested me if I assumed Brentford would keep up and I mentioned I wasn’t positive. I’m rather more assured now.
Did you realize? Ivan Toney has scored all 16 of the penalties he has taken for Brentford in all competitions. Saturday’s match was the second time he has transformed two spot-kicks in a single recreation for the membership.
Kai Havertz: To say Kai Havertz has discovered his ft at Chelsea could be an understatement. The German striker just isn’t solely scoring objectives however enjoying brilliantly.
It has taken him some time to settle in however he has definitely obtained there, which is simply in addition to Stamford Bridge generally is a graveyard for strikers.
Romelu Lukaku, a centre ahead who’s at present out of favour and low in confidence, must be enjoying repeatedly to provide his finest. Timo Werner can also be struggling, so to have Havertz on this wealthy vein of type is essential for the Blues.
Did you realize? No Chelsea participant has scored extra objectives underneath Thomas Tuchel in all competitions than Kai Havertz (13), who scored twice in a Premier League recreation for the first time since May 2021.
Bukayo Saka: If you are a Tottenham fan it should be excruciating watching your native rivals proceed to select up factors as they purpose to safe a Champions League spot.
Arsenal’s most up-to-date efficiency in opposition to Watford was sufficient to win all three factors however they nonetheless present indicators of frailty at the again. The cause the Gunners are nonetheless flirting with a top-four place is due largely to the brilliance of Bukayo Saka.
The England worldwide has grown tremendously since he performed in the European championships and appears to glide by way of video games lately. If Arsenal cannot present Champions League soccer for the teenager then I recommend he finds it elsewhere. Talent like this should not cling round.
Did you realize? Bukayo Saka has been concerned in 13 objectives in the Premier League this season, which is greater than every other participant aged underneath 21 (eight objectives, 5 assists).
Pick your XI from our listing and share with your pals.
The Crooks of the Matter
The picture of Thomas Tuchel elevating his voice and obtrusive at a reporter in response to the barrage of questions concerning the future of Roman Abramovich at Chelsea made it clear: the information convention was having a profound impact on the supervisor.
Chelsea’s proprietor and his alleged affiliation with Vladimir Putin had change into a focus the media was not ready to disregard. If it was having this impression on the supervisor, you could be sure it was having an impression on his gamers.
The state of affairs surrounding Chelsea Football Club and its proprietor had change into unmanageable. Shortly earlier than their FA Cup fifth-round tie in opposition to Luton Town an announcement was launched confirming the membership was to be offered. Tuchel answered questions on the proprietor’s choice in his post-match interview with an ideal deal extra composure than he did days earlier than, as if it had one way or the other lanced the boil.
Nevertheless, all through all this stress, I am unable to assist suppose that the consideration on Abramovich would not have been half as acute had he instantly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The mere indisputable fact that the Chelsea proprietor nonetheless hasn’t roundly criticised the actions taken by his president presents members of parliament with a really massive stick with beat him with. What has additionally change into abundantly clear this week is neither the membership nor Abramovich may take the ache any longer – therefore the assertion.
So what’s the future for Chelsea? The membership is one million miles away from the days underneath Ken Bates. Buying Chelsea is one factor however who has the disposable earnings to chase the kind of trophies Abramovich was chasing?
The west London membership have acquired a life-style they might not be ready to afford. It’s not the finish of the world however it would possibly take some getting used to.
by 
