Tuesday 6 December 2016 00:23, UK
Who were the best Premier League players from the weekend games? We take a look at the man-of-the-match performances in our hotlist.
Chelsea maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory away to title rivals Manchester City, while an Alexis Sanchez-inspired Arsenal remained on the coattails of their London rivals with a thumping 5-1 win at West Ham.
Tottenham bounced back from their first top-flight defeat of the season in style, hitting five past Swansea at White Hart Lane, but Liverpool saw their title charge falter at Bournemouth while Manchester United dropped yet more points away to Everton.
But which players starred in particular? Read on to remind yourself of the standout displays - and let us know who you think deserves the plaudits by leaving a comment or tweeting us @SkyFootball...
Diego Costa (Man City 1-3 CHELSEA)
The Chelsea striker was magnificent in the second half, controlling Manchester City's back three at will. He scored the equaliser in clinical fashion, shrugging off Nicolas Otamendi far too easily before dispatching past Bravo.
It was to become the pattern of play in the final 30 minutes as the Spaniard was the focal point for Chelsea's devastating counter attacks. Are we seeing the Costa of old? On this evidence, he may actually be better.
Damien Delaney (CRYSTAL PALACE 3-0 Southampton)
Birthday boy Christian Benteke bagged a double as Crystal Palace beat Southampton 3-0 to claim a much-needed win, but the clean sheet was the key factor in the Palace victory.
Alan Pardew's men have been conceding too many this season, culminating in last weekend's stunning 5-4 loss at Swansea, but that changed with the recall of Damien Delaney.
The experienced centre-back made key challenges, won vital headers, and helped to organise a defence which kept Charlie Austin and company fairly quiet and meant that, having found themselves 2-0 up out of nowhere, Palace never really looked like throwing their advantage away. Delaney could well be back in the starting line-up for the foreseeable future.
Marc Muniesa (STOKE 2-0 Burnley)
After they had beaten Watford last weekend with a forced 3-4-3 formation, Stoke stuck with the setup against Burnley, displaying success not too dissimilar to Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Flanking the centrally placed Bruno Martins Indi, the ex-Barcelona man looked composed as the new-look defence kept Burnley's chances to a minimum on his 50th league appearance for the Potters, who he joined in 2013.
But while his defending was impressive in a game of few chances for the visitors, it was his goal that caught the eye and gave him all the full-time headlines.
After playing the ball out of defence, Muniesa gradually edged forward as his team-mates advanced on the left. When Marko Arnautovic bore down on goal, the defender made his move, unmarked, and latched onto the Austrian's cross.
The volley that came next was a thing of beauty; challenging enough for a seasoned striker, let alone a central defender.
Patrick van Aanholt (SUNDERLAND 2-1 Leicester)
The left-back showed off his attacking prowess against a Leicester side who rarely tested the Sunderland back line.
The Dutchman was central to many of Sunderland's moves and he was unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty after he was clipped by Danny Simpson.
Credit must go to Jordan Pickford for his match-winning save, but Van Aanholt gets the nod for his tireless work down the wing and eagerness to carry the ball forward.
Harry Kane (TOTTENHAM 5-0 Swansea)
It's been a week to remember for Harry Kane. On Thursday he signed a bumper new contract to stay at Tottenham until 2022 and he certainly proved his worth to the club, celebrating the deal with a double to help his side to a 5-0 win against Swansea.
Kane, who missed seven weeks of the season with an ankle injury, opened the scoring from the spot in the 39th minute before starting and finishing a counter-attack to score Spurs' third and his eighth of the campaign.
The 23-year-old has now scored seven goals in his last six Premier League matches and Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping the striker can continue that good run of form as Spurs, who look twice the side with him in it, look to go one better than last year in the Premier League.
Matt Phillips (WEST BROM 3-1 Watford)
Matt Phillips continued his fine form with the goal of the game to cap a 3-1 victory for West Brom over Watford, cutting inside onto his left foot and curling the ball into the far corner.
The 25-year-old summer signing from Queens Park Rangers has now had a hand in six goals in his last four Premier League appearances - three goals and three assists.
Phillips ran Juan Camilo Zuniga ragged all afternoon and was a constant supply line for Salomon Rondon.
Alexis Sanchez (West Ham 1-5 ARSENAL)
Anyone doubting Alexis Sanchez's ability to lead the Arsenal line need look no further than his scintillating display against the Hammers.
Indeed, West Ham were woefully off the pace as they hosted the Gunners for the first time at the London Stadium, but the clinical nature in which the Chile international teased and tormented Slaven Bilic's side was something to behold.
From first to last, his exuberance set a tempo West Ham simply could not deal with, while the quality displayed for each of his three goals underlined his claim as one of world football's most-potent strikers.
Ryan Fraser (BOURNEMOUTH 4-3 Liverpool)
Outclassed in the first half and trailing 2-0, Eddie Howe turned to Fraser in the 55th minute of Sunday's clash at the Vitality Stadium to replace the injured Junior Stanislas
It took the Scotland international just a minute to make his mark, winning his side a penalty, which Callum Wilson converted.
He then scored Bournemouth's second 20 minutes later, before setting up Steve Cook for the Cherries' third, all of which paved the way for Nathan Ake to snatch the most dramatic of victories in stoppage time.
Fraser's inclusion was undoubtedly the game's turning point. Would Bournemouth have claimed their history victory without him?
Idrissa Gueye (EVERTON 1-1 Man Utd)
The Everton midfielder put in an impressive all-round display against Manchester United, making several important challenges and largely keeping Paul Pogba quiet. He was also involved in two of the major talking points in the match.
In the 16th minute he was fouled by Marcos Rojo, who only received a yellow card despite diving in with two feet. Then, after seeing a swerving shot saved by David de Gea as Everton pushed for late equaliser, he was brought down in the box for the penalty which Leighton Baines scored from.
His tireless performance, which saw him make more tackles than any other player, was another reminder that at just £7m he might be one of the signings of the summer.
Gaston Ramirez (MIDDLESBROUGH 1-0 Hull)
It was a much-needed three points for Middlesbrough during their 1-0 victory on Monday Night Football, and they delivered the goods to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone. They overran their opponents with Ramirez the driving force behind much Boro's attack and intricate play.
He also netted the only goal of the game against his former side although not in the most traditional way for the Uruguayan - a glancing header sealing the win - as well as running the Hull defence ragged and they arguably did well to keep him at just one for the evening as it could easily have been more.
Ramirez has often caught the eye but he shone brightly on a dark and cold night, with Middlesbrough in good hands if he can keep producing the same performances this season.
