Just four Premier League matches survived the coronavirus postponements this weekend, but it still proved to be a potentially pivotal couple of days in the title race.
Manchester City enjoyed a productive weekend, beating Newcastle United 4-0 at St James' Park and seeing their two closest rivals drop points.
Chelsea were held to a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, having seen a request to have the game called off turned down, before Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in North London.
The fourth-placed team was also in action this weekend, with Arsenal consolidating their position in the Champions League places by cruising to a 4-1 triumph over Leeds United.
Here, Sports Mole selects its Premier League team of the week for gameweek 18.
DEFENCE
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The depleted fixture schedule left a very short list of contenders for the gloves in this week's team, made even shorter when Alisson Becker's howler for Tottenham's equaliser spoiled an otherwise impressive performance.
Ederson also deserves a mention, with his one save against Newcastle being a good one, but Jose Sa gets the nod for us this week having made three stops - including one to deny Christian Pulisic in a one-on-one - to keep Chelsea at bay.
Sa is joined in the defence by his teammate Romain Saiss, who makes our XI for the second successive gameweek having also helped to frustrate the faltering title hopefuls.
It is not often a player will make the team of the week having been sent off, but Andrew Robertson's red card was arguably not the defining moment of his eventful game against Spurs.
The Scot created his side's first goal with a burst to the byline and pinpoint cross, before linking up with Trent Alexander-Arnold to score Liverpool's second prior to his sending-off for a heavy challenge on Emerson Royal.
Arguably the most impressive individual performance of the weekend came from Joao Cancelo, who matched Robertson's return of a goal and an assist without the red card.
Cancelo's goal was a memorable one too, carrying the ball forward before lashing a long-range effort into the top corner, adding to the assist he had earlier provided for teammate Ruben Dias.
Dias benefitted from some dreadful Newcastle defending to get that goal, but coupling it with a clean sheet is easily enough to earn a place in our team of the week this week.
MIDFIELD
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Man City's five-player contingent in this week's XI continues in midfield, with Bernardo Silva overcoming a knock to feature against Newcastle and put in another fine showing in the middle of the park.
Silva is joined in the midfield by two Arsenal players, with Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka both helping themselves to assists in the Gunners' impressive triumph at Elland Road.
Xhaka teed up Arsenal's second to put them in control of the match, before Odegaard laid on the fourth goal for Emile Smith Rowe to put the game beyond doubt once and for all.
ATTACK
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Undoubtedly the star of the show for Arsenal was Gabriel Martinelli, though, with the youngster continuing to shine in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Brazilian scored twice in the opening half an hour at Elland Road to put Mikel Arteta's side in complete control, taking both goals well and once again staking his claim for a regular starting spot in the first team.
Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling were also both on the scoresheet this weekend, netting the third and fourth goals respectively as Man City swatted Newcastle aside.
Mahrez's strike was initially ruled out for offside before being allowed to stand after VAR intervened, and Sterling then tapped in the final goal of the rout from close range for his 101st in the Premier League.
Gabriel Jesus also deserves a mention, while Arsenal duo Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka were in contention for forward places too.
Tottenham pair Son Heung-min and Harry Kane caused Liverpool all sorts of problems on the break in their game, but the latter in particular squandered a number of very good chances to take all three points for the hosts.
SPORTS MOLE'S PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week (4-3-3): Sa; Cancelo, Dias, Saiss, Robertson; Silva, Xhaka, Odegaard; Mahrez, Martinelli, Sterling
Barney Corkhill
