As Manchester City self-destructed at home against rivals Chelsea, Liverpool dropped points in the most glorious fashion and Manchester United failed to garner a victory yet again. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal put in some decisive performances, West Bromwich Albion rose to seventh just a point behind the Red Devils and Sunderland won their third game in four.
Also read: EPL 2016-17: 5 Talking points from Match week 14
With a late night Monday kick-off still to go, here are the star performers who make it to Sportskeeda’s Team of the Week:
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Goalkeeper
Lee Grant
Stoke keeper Lee Grant was only one of three to keep a clean sheet this weekend. The loanee from Derby County made four saves at home against Burnley and made 10 recoveries for his side. Stoke’s two-goal victory helped improve their goal difference as they rose to ninth in the table.
Defenders
James Tomkins
The Crystal Palace right-back scored another goal this week, making it his second in two consecutive games which is a first for his career. He scored from a set piece as he was able to direct Ledley’s flick into the net from close range. Apart from scoring his team’s second goal of the night, he also kept Southampton out with two successful take-ons and four interceptions.
Marc Muniesa
Stoke defender Muniesa was in impressive form against Burnley as he made 10 clearances on Saturday night, more than any of his other teammates. The Spaniard also netted his team’s second goal as he aimed a ferocious volley from Marko Arnautovic’s cross. It was also Muniesa’s first goal in the Premier League.
David Luiz
The Brazilian centre-back seems to have changed for the better under Antonio Conte as he continues to put in one good performance after another for Chelsea. His contentious collision with Aguero early in the game notwithstanding, Luiz was in great form against the Citizens as he exhibited his improved defensive acumen. He positioned himself well as City kept up an onslaught of attack.
Danny Rose
Tottenham had complete domination over Swansea for most of the night with five goals. While the attackers did their bit, Rose, the English left-back kept a clean sheet. His sound positioning and instinctive defensive skills were in fine form as he made sure his team were never caught out on the counter.
Midfielders
Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas got a rare start in the Premier League in the absence of Nemanja Matic and did well to show Conte he’s still got it. Chelsea finally scored when Fabregas's artful pass over the top reached Costa who didn’t fail to convert. He fit in quite naturally alongside Kante and had the highest passing accuracy in the final third. Let’s not forget how well he dealt with Fernandinho’s aggression at the end of the match.
Emre Can
Liverpool may have bungled their three-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Bournemouth on Sunday, but Emre Can’s display was still quite impressive. After providing an assist for Sadio Mane in the 19th minute, Can netted one of his own with a sweet curling finish from 18 yards. Unfortunately for him, instead of being the clincher, his goal was just the beginning of the end of their 15-game unbeaten run.
Christian Eriksen
After a stuttering start to the season, Eriksen had a second good game in a row against Swansea. The Danish midfielder provided an assist for Heung-Min Son in the first half before scoring two of his own after the break. His first of the night came in the 70th minute as he scored after Alli’s failed attempt. He scored his second in injury time with a powerfully struck low shot.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Chamberlain finally seems to be doing things right as Wenger decided to start the English winger again. He finally made a concrete contribution to his team as he scored close to full time with a superb shot to restore the Gunners’ three-goal lead. Just a couple of minutes later he provided an assist for Alexis Sanchez as the Chilean completed his hattrick.
Forwards
Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez was, undoubtedly, the star of the weekend with his sensational 15-minute hattrick. The Chilean didn’t get on the scoresheet until the second half, but once he got started he made very short work of it. His first goal was an exquisite solo effort and the second was an instinctive first-time finish. He wrapped up his hattrick just a few short minutes later with a masterful chip. Before going on his scoring spree, he also pitched in with an assist for Mesut Ozil’s opener.
Harry Kane
The Tottenham striker added significantly to his goal tally with a double against Swansea at home. After being denied by Fabianski a couple of times, Kane finally beat his man from the penalty spot a little before half time. His second of the night was the result of a fierce counter-attack as he converted Son’s failed attempt on goal with a low shot past the keeper. Kane now has seven goals so far this season.
Substitutes
Ryan Fraser
Junior Stanislas going off early was a blessing in disguise for Bournemouth as his replacement, Ryan Fraser turned things around for the Cherries almost immediately. He won the penalty that allowed Callum Wilson to score his team’s opener. He scored his first of the night with a powerful shot past Karius before he provided the assist for Steve Cook's equaliser.
Willian
Thanks to Diego Costa’s persistence, he was able to release the Brazilian who sprinted forward to finish with a low shot past Claudio Bravo. The substitute gave Chelsea the lead in a match they went on to win 1-3 from behind.
Shinji Okazaki
The Japanese forward came on and give his team some respite in the form of an 80th-minute goal. He scored after a quick turn from a Demarai Gray cross. However, his goal wasn’t enough to salvage any points for Leicester City.
Manager
Antonio Conte
Manchester City had been touted as title contenders long before the season had started but Antonio Conte had his own ideas about how to get around Pep Guardiola’s side. City dominated possession in the first half, and even went ahead through an own goal by Gary Cahill. However, Conte worked his magic at half-time and Chelsea came back looking fierce. Despite the opposition’s continued dominance, the Blues got them on the counter thrice to win at the Etihad.
