We pick the best XI from this weekend’s Premier League action.
There is now just one Premier League match remaining before Christmas, with Chelsea travelling to Stoke City on Monday night looking to ensure that they are top of the table when the presents are opened on Thursday morning.
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With nine other games having been completed this weekend, however, it is time to pick our most impressive Premier League XI of the weekend:
GK) Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland)
The Romanian international made a string of fine saves to keep Newcastle out at St. James’ Park – including a stunning one-handed tip over the bar just moments before Adam Johnson scored the winner.
RB) Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Manchester City’s full backs were crucial as they eventually broke down Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium, with Zabaleta offering huge width down the right hand side.
CB) Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal)
Debuchy looked at home in the centre of defence once again as Arsenal drew 2-2 at Liverpool – the Frenchman could do little about either goal and equalised for his side with a stooping header.
CB) Toby Alderweireld (Southampton)
Alderweireld was an assured presence at the back for Southampton as they returned to winning ways against Everton, whilst his ability to distribute effectively from the back was also on show.
LB) Aleksandar Kolarov (Manchester City)
As with Zabaleta on the other side of the pitch, Kolarov was crucial to City’s win over Crystal Palace, providing an impressive raiding performance down the left.
RM) Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
Adam Johnson is making a real habit of scoring in North East derbies and he did it once again for Sunderland, starting and finishing the flowing move that pinched it in injury time.
CM) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Coutinho has been off colour in recent weeks, but this display against Arsenal at Anfield represented a return to form for the Brazilian – he swept home the opening goal for his team and found space with consumate ease.
CM) Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City)
Shelvey was the best player on the pitch as Swansea held on to win 1-0 at Hull City – and he even played his part in the only goal, with the former Liverpool man’s long range effort deflecting in off Ki.
LM) David Silva (Manchester City)
Spain international David Silva proved to be the difference for City as they eventually beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, the former Valencia man bagging the first two goals.
SC) Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
Powerful Belgian striker Benteke is very tough to handle when he is on form – and he was right on it from the first whistle at Villa Park, smashing home his side’s goal against Manchester United.
SC) Charlie Austin (Queens Park Rangers)
Austin’s goals for QPR, particularly at Loftus Road, look like they could be the catalyst for Rangers to stay in the Premier League, as the former non-league player bagged a hat-trick against West Brom to complete a fine comeback.