Arsenal remain six points clear in the Premier League title race after beating Sunderland but it was Manchester City's win at Liverpool that took the headlines and three of thier players make our Team of the Week.
Manchester City’s 2-1 win at Liverpool ended a fun-packed three days of Premier League football, which kicked off with Leeds’ 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Despite City’s victory, Arsenal’s 3-0 success over Sunderland maintain their six-point lead at the top of the table, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer set a Premier League record with his hat-trick at Wolves.
Here is our team of the week for Gameweek 25.
Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
Worthy of selection for his late save from Alexis Mac Allister alone in City’s win at Liverpool. Gianluigi Donnarumma may not be perfect and is the antithesis of his predecessor Ederson. However, nobody saves it better, and he again demonstrated his world-class credentials with a series of sprawling saves at Anfield.
Defender – Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
Few defenders match Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix when it comes to measured performances, and the Frenchman was at his classy best in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Brighton, snapping the Eagles’ nine-game winless run in the league. Lacroix won six of his seven duels and is holding things together as his side adapts after Marc Guehi’s departure.
Defender – Axel Disasi (West Ham)
An impressive debut for a player who has become a victim of Chelsea’s transfer policy, Axel Disasi slotted straight into West Ham’s back-line, showing impressive physicality, organisational skills and quality on the ball in the 2-0 win at Burnley. Similar to when Kurt Zouma joined the Hammers from the Blues in 2021, Disasi’s additional class could make a real difference in the London Stadium club’s survival push.
Defender – Pascal Stuijk (Leeds)
An unsung hero on the left side of Leeds’ defence, Pascal Struijk stood up to be counted in Friday’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Potentially the points that make the Whites safe, Struijk registered 12 clearances and won five out of his six aerial duels.
Midfielder – Vitaly Janelt (Brentford)
Vitaly Janelt scored on and kept another out from former Brentford colleague Yoane Wissa as the Bees won 3-2 at Newcastle. Last month, Janelt signed a new deal until 2030 and it already looks like money well spent by the west London club.
Midfielder – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Injuries have seen Cole Palmer drift down the England pecking order, but he proved his importance to Chelsea with a well-taken hat-trick in the 3-1 at Wolves, in doing so becoming the first player in Premier League history to have scored three first-half trebles. While the 23-year-old is still managing injuries, two well-taken penalties and an emphatic third suggest there is still more to come from the Blues’ playmaker.
Midfielder – Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Back from a hamstring injury and with a bang, Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva covered every blade of grass in the Anfield win. Bernardo’s equaliser galvanised his side and his fitness could define City’s title chances.
Midfielder – Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Playing with freedom unseen under Ruben Amorim, Bruno Fernandes played a part in United’s opener before completing the scoring in the second half to reach 200 goals and assists for the club. Stationed in his favoured number 10 role, the Portuguese is in incredible form.
Striker – Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)
All of Manchester United’s players have improved under Michael Carrick and Bryan Mbeumo is flying as the central striker. The Red Devils’ counterattacking style suits the Cameroonian, allowing him to drift across the attack and his performance against Tottenham featured his third goal in four outings since Carrick came in.
Striker – Dango Outtara (Brentford)
Brentford’s match-winner for the second week, Dango Outtarra scored the only goal at Aston Villa and was involved in his team’s first two goals before getting one himself to settle the encounter at St James’ Park. Bournemouth looked to have done good business when selling him for a reported £42.5m in the summer, but the Bees now seem to have come out on the best side of the deal.
Striker – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Kept his cool when required, Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty proved the difference at Anfield, albeit he may have had more had he and Dominik Szoboszlai not found themselves wrestling in the final stages. Haaland has his doubters but his statistics do the speaking, with him now on 21 league goals for the season.
