Week 16 of the 2025/26 Premier League season still has a fixture to play as Manchester United host Bournemouth on Monday, but there were plenty of standout showings on Saturday and Sunday.
There were more fascinating games across Gameweek 16, as things hot up at both ends of the Premier League table.
After Saturday and Sunday’s fixtures, here are our 11 selections for the top-flight team of the week, with a 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper – Robert Sanchez (Chelsea)
Spanish shot-stopper Sanchez came in for major criticism last season, with many calling for Chelsea to splash out on a new goalkeeper in the summer.
Enzo Maresca decided to stick with the former Brighton man, who helped the Blues keep their eighth clean sheet of the campaign, in the 2-0 home win over Everton.
Chelsea are now level with Arsenal in the clean sheet standings.
Full Back – Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland)
Another team that kept their opponents at bay were Sunderland, with Nordi Mukiele playing a big part in their 1-0 victory against rivals Newcastle.
The Frenchman was also a threat at the other end of the pitch, delivering the cross that led to Nick Woltemade heading into his own net.
Centre-back – Dan Ballard (Sunderland)
If you keep a clean sheet against your local rivals and claim a big home success, it would seem unfair not to include two Sunderland defenders.
Dan Ballard continues to be a key player this season for the Black Cats, with the Northern Ireland international winning four aerial challenges and almost scoring with a header at the other end.
Centre-Back – Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
Having missed last week’s defeat at Everton, Murillo slotted straight back into the Nottingham Forest back-four, in their 3-0 home win over Tottenham.
Spurs managed just one shot on target at the City Ground and the Brazilian was a key figure in limiting their chances in and around the penalty area.
Full back – Matheus Nunes (Man City)
Another player who has received criticism in the last six months, Nunes has started to make the City right-back role his own this season.
The former Wolves man was part of a back-four that stopped Crystal Palace from scoring in a 3-0 win, while also claiming an assist for Erling Haaland’s first goal.
He was so good, it feels unfair not to squeeze him in, albeit at left-back.
Midfielder – Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
The Swiss star has been a revelation for Sunderland this term and he provided another stellar performance in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Xhaka pulled the strings in the middle of the park and stopped the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali from having any impact.
Midfielder – Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
It’s now six Premier League wins in a row for Villa and Morgan Rodgers has played a huge role in their surge up the table to third.
The England international scored twice in the 3-2 win at West Ham and that’s now five league goals this season.
Midfielder – Phil Foden (Man City)
Being dropped from the England squad earlier this year looks to have had a positive impact on the City midfielder, who has now scored seven league goals.
Foden fired in another cracking left-foot strike to claim the crucial second goal in his side’s win at Selhurst Park.
Striker – Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds)
It’s now four goals in the last four Premier League matches for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who helped keep Leeds United outside of the relegation zone.
The former Everton frontman rose high to power home a header to help the West Yorkshire outfit collect a crucial point at Brentford.
Striker – Erling Haaland (Man City)
Yet another brace for the Norwegian superstar, who has now scored 17 in the league this season, at a rate of a goal every 81 minutes.
Haaland scored a brilliant downward header against Palace before clinching the three points from the penalty spot.
Striker – Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)
It’s now four league games without defeat for Liverpool thanks to a double from striker Ekitike, who is now joint third top-scorer with seven goals.
The Frenchman smashed home a first-half volley to give the Reds the lead against Brighton, before sealing the win with a header from a corner in the second half.
