Chris Maduewesi
Member
On the evidence of last weekend's results, Chelsea could be running away with the English Premier League title.
Manchester City have lost further grounds on Chelsea as their prospect of defending their title now looks grim.
Jose Mourinho knows how to push his team to maximum effect, and it was evident how they were able to squeeze out a victory against Aston Villa last Saturday.
A Branislav Ivanovic's winner earned Chelsea all three points, with his goal proving vital especially with what happened to Manchester City.
And with City finding it difficult to adjust to life without Yaya Toure, it was yet another disappointing outing at the Etihad Stadium where they dropped vital points against Hull City.
The 1-1 draw cost them dearly as they are now seven points behind Chelsea, and with fourteen games left to the end of the season, it is beginning to look like a gap.
Other teams who had disappointing weekend's are Manchester United who drew 1-1 with West Ham, and Arsenal who lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspurs.
Below is the best performers that make up the first eleven of the EPL team of the week:
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino (4-4-1-1 formation)
* David De Gea (Manchester United)
De Gea is a top goalkeeper no doubt, and he tends to justifies why he is being coveted by Real Madrid with his string of good saves in matches.
United fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against West Ham, largely due to the Spaniard's effort to keep them in it.
In the first half he made three spectacular saves, one off Tomkins with his legs . And in the second half when the Hammers were leading 1-0 , he made a double save, one off Mark Noble that looked like it was destined for the net.
*Right Back: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Like the way former England striker Gary Lineker put it on Saturday, "Ivanovic has hardly had a bad game." It followed up another eulogy by his manager Jose Mourinho, who claimed that the Serbian is amongst the club's best signing ever.
Ivanovic nicely combines his defensive duties with his attacking instincts, getting the winning goal that earned Chelsea all three points against Aston Villa.
*Central Defence: Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham)
The West Ham defender was fearless having to tame Radamel Falcao, and he did it to great effect.
Coming up against a Manchester United team with all their attacking abilities, an opposition defender requires to be on your toes for 90 minutes.
Not forgetting that he got West Ham's goal in the game, scoring with three touches in the box.
*Central Defence: John Stones (Everton)
Playing in the Merseyside derby, Stones proved what a good defender that he is with his composed defending.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, but Liverpool were restricted from scoring any goals, and it was the good effort from players like Stones that earned Everton the point.
* Left Back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
The Belgian defender played in central defence this weekend, but due to his versatility, I will have move him to left back.
Vertoghen was remarkable for Spurs in their derby against Arsenal, showing grit and tenacity to make sure their opponents were second best in the match.
*Defensive Midfield: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham)
The Algerian went to the 2015 African Nations Cup tournament, and upon his return he walked straight into the starting line -up for Spurs.
He justified it and did a good job for Spurs in their victory against Arsenal, curtailing any of their forays in the middle of the park and making sure players like Mesut Ozil didn't find much joy in the match.
* Central Midfield: David Meyler(Hull City)
He is not just in the team because of the goal he scored against Manchester City, but his all round display was impressive.
Meyler did a brilliant job in midfield for Steve Bruce's side at the Etihad stadium, and utilised the ball very well when he got it.
*Right Midfield: Jordon Ibe (Liverpool)
Just back on loan and he instantly made the first 11, there must be a reason why Brendan Rodgers recalled him to the side.
Ibe sparkled in the Merseyside derby and came the closest to scoring for Liverpool, hitting the bar in the match.
*Left Midfield: Christain Eriksen (Tottenham)
You just have to find space for the Dane in the team of the week. Never lacking in creativity, Eriksen troubled Arsenal and created chances for his team.
He was one of the reasons why Arsenal was pegged back in their own half, Eriksen has that trickery to unlock defences and he did worry the Gunners.
*Attack: Saido Maine (Southampton)
What a revelation this Senegalese has proven to be for the Saints. He has an eye for goals and runs for 90 minutes on the trot.
Maine broke the hearts of QPR fans when he popped up in stoppage time to net the solitary goal that won all three points for Ronald Koeman's men.
*Attack: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Without an iota of doubt, Kane is the star of the weekend, leading his side to victory against their North London rivals.
So many superlatives were coined for him and deservedly he earned the accolades that he got for his five star performance.
Kane scored Spurs' two goals, helping them fight from a goal down to win 2-1. The consistency of his delivery on a weekly basis is quite remarkable, and he is certainly a man in form.
No wonder everybody is clamouring for him to get an England call-up
Manchester City have lost further grounds on Chelsea as their prospect of defending their title now looks grim.
Jose Mourinho knows how to push his team to maximum effect, and it was evident how they were able to squeeze out a victory against Aston Villa last Saturday.
A Branislav Ivanovic's winner earned Chelsea all three points, with his goal proving vital especially with what happened to Manchester City.
And with City finding it difficult to adjust to life without Yaya Toure, it was yet another disappointing outing at the Etihad Stadium where they dropped vital points against Hull City.
The 1-1 draw cost them dearly as they are now seven points behind Chelsea, and with fourteen games left to the end of the season, it is beginning to look like a gap.
Other teams who had disappointing weekend's are Manchester United who drew 1-1 with West Ham, and Arsenal who lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspurs.
Below is the best performers that make up the first eleven of the EPL team of the week:
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino (4-4-1-1 formation)
* David De Gea (Manchester United)
De Gea is a top goalkeeper no doubt, and he tends to justifies why he is being coveted by Real Madrid with his string of good saves in matches.
United fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against West Ham, largely due to the Spaniard's effort to keep them in it.
In the first half he made three spectacular saves, one off Tomkins with his legs . And in the second half when the Hammers were leading 1-0 , he made a double save, one off Mark Noble that looked like it was destined for the net.
*Right Back: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Like the way former England striker Gary Lineker put it on Saturday, "Ivanovic has hardly had a bad game." It followed up another eulogy by his manager Jose Mourinho, who claimed that the Serbian is amongst the club's best signing ever.
Ivanovic nicely combines his defensive duties with his attacking instincts, getting the winning goal that earned Chelsea all three points against Aston Villa.
*Central Defence: Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham)
The West Ham defender was fearless having to tame Radamel Falcao, and he did it to great effect.
Coming up against a Manchester United team with all their attacking abilities, an opposition defender requires to be on your toes for 90 minutes.
Not forgetting that he got West Ham's goal in the game, scoring with three touches in the box.
*Central Defence: John Stones (Everton)
Playing in the Merseyside derby, Stones proved what a good defender that he is with his composed defending.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, but Liverpool were restricted from scoring any goals, and it was the good effort from players like Stones that earned Everton the point.
* Left Back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
The Belgian defender played in central defence this weekend, but due to his versatility, I will have move him to left back.
Vertoghen was remarkable for Spurs in their derby against Arsenal, showing grit and tenacity to make sure their opponents were second best in the match.
*Defensive Midfield: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham)
The Algerian went to the 2015 African Nations Cup tournament, and upon his return he walked straight into the starting line -up for Spurs.
He justified it and did a good job for Spurs in their victory against Arsenal, curtailing any of their forays in the middle of the park and making sure players like Mesut Ozil didn't find much joy in the match.
* Central Midfield: David Meyler(Hull City)
He is not just in the team because of the goal he scored against Manchester City, but his all round display was impressive.
Meyler did a brilliant job in midfield for Steve Bruce's side at the Etihad stadium, and utilised the ball very well when he got it.
*Right Midfield: Jordon Ibe (Liverpool)
Just back on loan and he instantly made the first 11, there must be a reason why Brendan Rodgers recalled him to the side.
Ibe sparkled in the Merseyside derby and came the closest to scoring for Liverpool, hitting the bar in the match.
*Left Midfield: Christain Eriksen (Tottenham)
You just have to find space for the Dane in the team of the week. Never lacking in creativity, Eriksen troubled Arsenal and created chances for his team.
He was one of the reasons why Arsenal was pegged back in their own half, Eriksen has that trickery to unlock defences and he did worry the Gunners.
*Attack: Saido Maine (Southampton)
What a revelation this Senegalese has proven to be for the Saints. He has an eye for goals and runs for 90 minutes on the trot.
Maine broke the hearts of QPR fans when he popped up in stoppage time to net the solitary goal that won all three points for Ronald Koeman's men.
*Attack: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Without an iota of doubt, Kane is the star of the weekend, leading his side to victory against their North London rivals.
So many superlatives were coined for him and deservedly he earned the accolades that he got for his five star performance.
Kane scored Spurs' two goals, helping them fight from a goal down to win 2-1. The consistency of his delivery on a weekly basis is quite remarkable, and he is certainly a man in form.
No wonder everybody is clamouring for him to get an England call-up
