Harry Diamond
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart – Burnley
After qualifying for the Europa League last season, Burnley have struggled to replicate that form this time out. Saturdays’s 2-0 loss at Crystal Palace means The Clarets are winless in their last seven games.
Having signed from Manchester City in the summer, Hart has recaptured the form that saw him become England’s number one. The 31-year-old made seven saves in the defeat, helping to keep the score respectable.
Defender: Cedric – Southampton
Ahead of the visit of Manchester United, Southampton needed a result with Mark Hughes under pressure following a difficult start to the season. The Saints will be disappointed to have let a two goal lead slip, though the performance was a marked improvement from recent results.
Their second goal was of the highest quality, full-back Cedric curling a superb free-kick over the wall and past David De Gea.
It didn’t save Hughes from the chop though, with Southampton confirming his sacking on Monday morning.
Defender: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Liverpool’s gung-ho style of football has been replaced this season by a team that can grind out results based on a solid defence. A team once susceptible to conceding soft goals was transformed with the arrival of Van Dijk for a world-record fee from Southampton in January.
In Sunday’s Merseyside derby, the Dutchman was again imperious, helping to preserve his side’s clean sheet and provide the platform to snatch a late, late win.
Defender: Shane Duffy – Brighton
Much of Brighton’s recent success has been built on the solid centre-back pairing of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy, though the duo have also posed a considerable threat in opposition boxes this season.
Dunk has scored twice this season, whilst Duffy headed home his third goal of the campaign as Brighton came from behind to win at Huddersfield.
Midfielder: Lucas Torreira – Arsenal
Fast emerging as a fan’s favourite at The Emirates, the tenacious Uruguayan endeared himself further to the Arsenal faithful with a starring role in Sunday’s North London derby.
The diminutive midfielder capped a strong performance with his first goal for the club.
Midfielder: Leroy Sane – Manchester City
Another weekend, another place in our Team of the Week for Manchester City’s Leroy Sane.
The reigning PFA Young Player of the Year provided another fine display of wing-play, providing yet another assist. The German now has 20 assists since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League player.
Midfielder: Andros Townsend – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have struggled for goals at home this season, but provided a dominant win over struggling Burnley.
Central to that was winger Townsend, providing an assist for the opener before scoring arguably the goal of the weekend with a stunning effort from distance to seal the win.
Midfielder: Felipe Anderson – West Ham
Signed in the summer for a club-record fee, Brazilian Anderson has impressed in spells for Manuel Pellegrini’s side this season. On Saturday, the midfielder was at his talented best, tormenting Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin all afternoon before capping a fine display with a goal of his own as West Ham took all three points in the North East.
Midfielder: Raheem Sterling – Manchester City
Arguably the most in-form player in the division right now, the England international shone again as Manchester City beat Bournemouth 3-1 at The Etihad.
The 23-year-old again found himself on the score sheet, remarkably the sixth game in succession he has scored against Bournemouth.
Forward: Javier Hernandez – West Ham
Restored to the starting line-up having struggled for opportunities this season, the Mexican provided a timely reminder of his quality with two well-taken goals in West Ham’s win at Newcastle. Partnered with Marko Arnautovic upfront, Hernandez netted twice to help Manuel Pellegrini’s side to a convincing win.
Forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal
Two goals on derby day for Arsenal’s Gabon international as Unai Emery’s side leapfrogging Tottenham into the Premier League’s top four after Sunday’s North London derby win.
Aubameyang’s double took him to 10 Premier League goals for the season, the former Borussia Dortmund striker now the leading goalscorer in the division.