The Premier League in 2021 is done and dusted, with a rampant Manchester City entering 2022 at the summit after beating Brentford 1-0 in midweek.
The reigning champions' efforts were aided by dropped points for both Liverpool and Chelsea, as the Reds lost 1-0 to Leicester City while Thomas Tuchel's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion.
Top-four chasing West Ham United picked up a much-needed 4-1 victory over Watford in the London derby, but Tottenham Hotspur could only take a point from their trip to Southampton as the contest at St Mary's ended 1-1.
Manchester United returned to winning ways with a 3-1 success over Burnley, while Crystal Palace kept up their charge for a top-half finish by seeing off Norwich City by three goals to nil.
Multiple fixtures continue to be affected by COVID-19, though, as Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United, Aston Villa, Everton and Newcastle United were all unable to take to the field in midweek.
Here, Sports Mole selects its final Premier League Team of the Week for 2021.
DEFENCE
© Reuters
There was one true standout performer in between the sticks at St Mary's during Southampton's clash with Tottenham, as Fraser Forster was a commanding presence throughout and would not have seen his side come away with a point had it not been for his whopping 10 saves on the day.
With the famed Liverpool attack failing to fire at the King Power, it was impossible to overlook multiple members of the Foxes backline for spots in this TOTW, and with a total of eight clearances, five interceptions, four blocks and two tackles, makeshift centre-back Daniel Amartey was here, there and everywhere for Leicester.
Alongside the Leicester man is a centre-back who did not have the unenviable task of pocketing Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane all night long, but Marc Guehi was a top performer in Palace's win over Norwich, winning all five of his ground duels, posting a 91% pass accuracy and making a clearance off the line to preserve his side's clean sheet.
Finally, Salah largely did not have a sniff at the King Power thanks to the magnificent efforts of youthful left-back Luke Thomas, who kept the Egyptian quiet with seven clearances and seven interceptions while also winning both of his aerial duels on the night.
MIDFIELD
© Reuters
Perhaps sending something of a selection message to Gareth Southgate, Jarrod Bowen was the star of the show for West Ham at Watford - whether it was claiming two assists and winning a penalty to making three key passes and completing 4/5 successful dribbles, the former Hull City man was on top form.
Danny Welbeck may have got the plaudits for his last-minute heroics for Brighton at Stamford Bridge, but the all-action performance of Yves Bissouma cannot be overlooked, with the Mali international making seven tackles and winning 11 ground duels on a notoriously unforgiving ground.
Tomas Soucek may have lost his goalscoring touch in the 2021-22 campaign, but the Czech powerhouse demonstrated a clinical edge to put West Ham a goal to the good against Watford before posting six tackles and four clearances in a dominant engine room display.
Last but not least, Ademola Lookman may have been on the pitch for less than 45 minutes against Liverpool, but the Leicester man needed no time whatsoever to stamp his authority on the King Power turf to strike the game's only goal, and the winger also posted a 100% pass accuracy during his short but sweet time on the field.
ATTACK
© Reuters
For all of their multi-million pound talent in the final third, Man City did not produce a typical goal-laden performance at the Brentford Community Stadium, but Phil Foden was as energetic as ever to come up with the game's only goal and post a 90% pass accuracy in another promising display.
Having had a direct hand in all three of Palace's goals in their crushing win over Norwich, it was impossible to overlook Odsonne Edouard for a spot in the final third, as the former Celtic man comfortably tucked away his spot kick before setting up his side's further two strikes on a near-perfect day.
Finally, no Man United fan needs a reminder of their lack of attacking impetus since Ralf Rangnick's appointment, but Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed himself out there against Burnley, as the Portuguese's deft touch set up Scott McTominay for a delightful opener before he found himself in the right place at the right time to tap home his side's third of the contest.
SPORTS MOLE'S PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week (3-4-3): Forster; Amartey, Guehi, Thomas; Bowen, Bissouma, Soucek, Lookman; Ronaldo, Edouard, Foden
Ben Knapton
