Leicester City lead the way at the top of the Premier League table going into the final international break of the year, with their 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers enough to leapfrog Liverpool at the summit.
The champions drew 1-1 with last season's runners-up Manchester City at the Etihad in the headline fixture of gameweek eight, leaving them in third place also behind Tottenham Hotspur, who left it late to scrape past West Bromwich Albion.
Southampton and Chelsea are also in the upper reaches courtesy of wins over Newcastle United and Sheffield United respectively, while Aston Villa stunned Arsenal with a 3-0 win at the Emirates to end their slump in form.
Manchester United also returned to winning ways at Everton, while Crystal Palace eased past Leeds United, West Ham United edged past Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley played out a goalless draw.
Here, Sports Mole selects its Premier League team of the week for gameweek eight.
There was not a great deal of competition for the gloves this week; Kasper Schmeichel deserves a mention for his save from Ruben Neves but did not have much else to do, while Rui Patricio's penalty save in the same game was ultimately in vain.
Instead it is Burnley's Nick Pope who earns his place in the XI courtesy of his three saves against Brighton. The match was by no means a thriller, but without Pope's contribution Burnley would have lost once again.
In addition to Schmeichel, Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans are among the Leicester players who narrowly miss out on a place in this week's team, but there were a few centre-backs to choose from, with Scott Dann another to miss the cut.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire made seven clearances against Everton - three more than anyone else on the field - in a commanding display, while Aaron Cresswell was important at both ends of the field in West Ham's win over Fulham, rattling the crossbar with a free kick as well as keeping a clean sheet.
Thiago Silva completes the back three having marked his own fine performance with a goal, and his leadership at the back is a big reason behind Chelsea's defensive improvement in recent weeks.
Ben Chilwell was also on the scoresheet as Chelsea beat Sheffield United and he is unfortunate to miss out this week, with an attacking duo selected as wing-backs.
Eberechi Eze is more used to playing further forward, of course, but he simply had to be included this week courtesy of his stunning goal - and an assist - in the win over Leeds.
On the opposite flank, Stuart Armstrong was also on the scoresheet for Southampton, and his attacking prowess as well as discipline and work rate would lend itself well to a right wing-back role.
The first name on the teamsheet this week was Bruno Fernandes, who continued his remarkable away form since joining Manchester United with two goals and an assist in the win over Everton.
Tomas Soucek also deserves a mention, but Ross Barkley was another of the shoo-ins this week having produced a superb all-round display against Arsenal, including a brilliant volleyed assist for Ollie Watkins's first goal.
Watkins went on to add a second to take the centre-forward role ahead of Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham, Jordan Ayew and Che Adams, while Jack Grealish completes the Aston Villa trio from that memorable win at the Emirates having also capped another fine performance with an assist.
Timo Werner is another who deserves an honourable mention but, while he misses out, his Chelsea teammate Hakim Ziyech does make the cut courtesy of his two assists against Sheffield United, further enhancing his burgeoning reputation as he begins to find his feet at Stamford Bridge.
Barney Corkhill
