MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 09:26:42| >> :60:1010:1010:

Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week

Sports Mole picks out the best 11 players from the penultimate weekend of Premier League action.

What a hugely significant weekend it was at both the top and bottom of the Premier League.

Liverpool's dramatic 3-3 draw away at Crystal Palace put a big dent in their quest for the title, while Sunderland's 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford relegated both Fulham and Cardiff City to the Championship.

Elsewhere, Manchester City are now favourites to win the title following their 3-2 triumph at Everton, but Chelsea's chances of success were all but ended by a 0-0 draw with Norwich City.

There were also victories for Arsenal, Stoke City and Aston Villa at the expense of West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Hull City respectively.

Here, Sports Mole has picked out the 11 players that made the biggest impression on us over the last three days.

Joe Hart (Manchester City)
He's had his critics over the course of the campaign, but if City are to win the title, they can pinpoint Hart's performance at Everton as a major contributing factor. His save to deny Steven Naismith was one of the best made by a goalkeeper this season.

Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
Speculation has suggested that the right-back will be leaving Arsenal in the summer and on this evidence, he will be missed. Both defensively and offensively the Frenchman was on good form against West Brom.
Wes Brown (Sunderland)
On his return to Old Trafford, Brown produced a near faultless display as Sunderland recorded another victory. His reading of dangerous situations was a particular highlight.
Michael Turner (Norwich City)
Many felt that it would be a case of how many Norwich would concede at Stamford Bridge, but Turner helped the Canaries to keep an unexpected clean sheet.
Martin Olsson (Norwich City)
The attack-minded left-back, like Turner, defended well, while he also caused problems in the Chelsea half. What's more, he should have been awarded a penalty when tripped by John Terry.

Oussama Assaidi (Stoke City)
Like most wingers, Assaidi can be inconsistent, but he was on top form at the Britannia Stadium. His display against Fulham was rewarded with a goal.
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
The Swede had not scored in 45 outings prior to his neatly-dispatched volley at Old Trafford which gave Sunderland all three points. He also showed great a workrate and made numerous challenges in midfield.
Ross Barkley (Everton)
If Roy Hodgson had any doubts about taking the youngster to the World Cup, surely he doesn't now. Not only did he score a great goal, he was the best player on the pitch, despite the fact that he ended up on the losing side.
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
Some Villa fans have jeered Weimann this season, but he silenced the critics with a two-goal performance against FA Cup finalists Hull.

Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
With Sergio Aguero's fitness unreliable and Alvaro Negredo out of form, Dzeko took over the goalscoring mantle for City. His first was a powerful downward header, while his second was a real poacher's effort.
Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace)
He may have only been on the pitch at Selhurst Park for 25 minutes, but his impact was so big that he could not be ignored. The Liverpool defence couldn't handle the pacey striker as he scored twice to help Palace battle back for a draw.

Numpty of the week

The Liverpool defence: Hosts Palace were buoyant following their second goal, which was the time for Liverpool, who held a 3-2 lead, to switch on defensively. Yet, as a long ball was hoisted up to Glenn Murray, Martin Skrtel was caught in two minds, while Glen Johnson failed to mark Gayle. As a result, Murray flicked the ball on for his strike partner, who scored Palace's third goal in nine minutes. Come the end of the season, it could well be viewed as the moment that cost Liverpool the title.

Goal of the week

Ross Barkley (Everton vs. Man City): The 20-year-old's stock continued to rise with a stunning goal that opened the scoring at Goodison Park. Naismith laid the ball into his path 25 yards from goal and while others would have taken a touch, Barkley whipped an instant shot goalwards. City goalkeeper Hart was at full stretch, but he got nowhere near the midfielder's effort as it flew into the top corner of the net.

ID:153677: cacheID:153677:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7346:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ross Barkley of Everton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park on May 3, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Dzeko heads City into narrow lead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!