Kevin De Bruyne is back to his best, Chris Wood’s goals continue to help Nottingham Forest’s relegation fight, and Kai Havertz is thriving under Mikel Arteta… but which England star takes top spot in our POWER RANKINGS?
The Premier League continues to heat up as we reach the business end of the campaign with three teams vying for top spot and a host of drama to be found elsewhere in the table.
Arsenal comfortably defeated Brighton to return to the top of the league while Manchester City survived an early scare against Crystal Palace to keep up the pace in second.
Liverpool however, were unable to maintain their momentum at what could prove to be a vital juncture in the season, with Mo Salah netting late to rescue a point against Man United at Old Trafford.
In the race for Champions League football Spurs moved into the top four for the first time since February as Aston Villa’s faltering form of late continued as Unai Emery’s side were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw against Brentford.
Meanwhile the situation at the bottom of the table remains as lively as ever with both Luton and Sheffield United picking up points, while Everton’s latest points deduction threatens to drag the Toffees deeper into the battle for survival.
But who tops Mail Sport’s POWER RANKINGS on the back of another action-packed round of fixtures? Who had a quiet week, and who rose to the occasion?
Arsenal eased past Brighton on Saturday to continue their momentum in the race for the title
Meanwhile Cole Palmer remains Chelsea’s star man as he assisted Noni Madueke in their draw with Nottingham Forest
10. Chris Wood (new entry)
Nottingham Forest remain embroiled in a battle to remain in the Premier League after returning to the top flight following an extended absence last season.
If Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are to avoid the drop, they will need Chris Wood to maintain the goalscoring form that has seen him score in his last four appearances for Tricky Trees.
At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Forest were unlucky to go behind early and had the better of the chances over the first 45 minutes, with Wood getting on the end of a low cross from Anthony Elanga to equalise.
The New Zealander scuppered a chance from close range to put the visitors ahead just minutes later but at just two goals away from equalling his best-ever tally in the top flight, the striker deserves a place on this list.
Chris Wood scored his fourth goal in as many games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
9. Son Heung-min (down one)
After enduring a quiet evening by all accounts in Spurs’ 1-1 draw with West Ham in midweek, the South Korean forward had the perfect opportunity to get among the goals against a struggling Forest side.
Son struggled to make an impact during the first 45 minutes as his side’s defensive vulnerabilities were laid bare and often went unpunished, but he managed to have a more direct involvement after the restart.
In setting up Micky van de Ven as the Dutchman rocketed home his first Premier League goal Son took his tally of goals and assists for the season to 24 from just 27 starts.
Entrusted with the armband by Ange Postecoglou, Son’s consistency has been vital for Spurs this season as they make a charge for Champions League football.
Son Heung-min contributed an assist as Spurs recovered from a poor early showing to secure three points against Nottingham Forest
8. Ollie Watkins (new entry)
When Aston Villa took on Brentford on Saturday the two clearest contenders for the spot of Harry Kane’s understudy in the England squad at Euro 2024 came head-to-head.
With a muscle injury seeing Ivan Toney left out of the Bees’ starting XI for the first time since his return from suspension earlier this season, Ollie Watkins had free rein to make his case for a spot on the plane to Germany.
And at Villa Park he did just that.
The 28-year-old opened the scoring for the hosts, before adding a second after Brentford has stormed into the lead to rescue a point for Unai Emery‘s side and to take his total for the campaign to an impressive 24 goals in all competitions.
Ollie Watkins made an emphatic case for his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England squad
He netted twice to go second in the league’s scoring charts as Aston Villa drew with Brentford
7. Alexis Mac Allister (down four)
An undeniable contender for the accolade of the signing of the season, Alexis Mac Allister was not quite at his scintillating best in Liverpool’s draw with Manchester United.
In a game where his midfield partner Dominik Szoboszlai had a number of chances to score for the Reds, the Argentinian endured a decidedly quieter afternoon at Old Trafford.
Mo Salah’s late leveller ensured Liverpool remain level on points with Arsenal as the title race draws ever closer to its thrilling conclusion.
Jurgen Klopp will be hoping Mac Allister is back to his best when his team look to continue their push for silverware at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Alexis Mac Allister struggled to make an impact as Liverpool were held to a draw at Man United
6. Kai Havertz (new entry)
When Kai Havertz arrived at the Emirates in a £65m move this summer more than a few eyebrows were raised in the footballing world.
Skepticism surrounding exactly where the German would fit in Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side appeared to have been well-placed as the 24-year-old adjusted to his new club with just a single Premier League goal in his first 12 games for the Gunners.
In recent months however, Havertz has proven to be a perfect addition for the club with nine goal contributions in his last seven Premier League games.
At the Amex Havertz was at his irrepressible best, combining impressive link-up play with a new-found eye for goal as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners to vanquish the demons of last season’s collapse.
After initially failing to inspire confidence, Kai Havertz has become an integral component of Mikel Arteta’s team
5. Alexander Isak (down one)
After injury curtailed his maiden campaign at St James’ Park, this term Alexander Isak has well and truly stepped up to the plate for the Magpies.
While he hasn’t entirely shaken the pull of the treatment table this season, the Swede has been devastating in front of goal of late and currently sits joint-sixth in the league’s scoring standings.
At Craven Cottage Isak was unable to add to his streak of four-consecutive games on the scoresheet but remained a constant nuisance for the visitors as Bruno Guimaraes netted a late winner.
Despite failing to get on the scoresheet, Aleksander Isak’s physical presence was crucial as Newcastle beat Fulham
4. Phil Foden (down three)
Just days after a spectacular hat-trick against Aston Villa saw him reach the top spot in the Mail Sport Power Rankings, Phil Foden was left on the bench as Man City travelled to Aston Villa.
Rather than an indictment of his performances in training or evidence he had sustained an injury, Foden being left on the bench was simply yet more proof of the depth of talent Pep Guardiola has at his disposal.
For the first time in the Premier League this season, the 23-year-old played no part as his team comfortably swept the Eagles aside.
After so many years of playing second fiddle to more established stars, Foden being rested for the club’s upcoming Champions League clash proves the academy graduate is well on his way to becoming the Citizens’ star man.
Phil Foden being rested for Man City’s clash with Real Madrid is evidence of just how highly Pep Guardiola thinks of the 23-year-old
3. Kevin De Bruyne (new entry)
After not quite hitting the impossibly high standards he has set for himself in nearly a decade at the Etihad on return from injury, questions began to be asked as to whether Kevin De Bruyne is still the player he once was.
Left out of the midweek clash at Villa Park, a start against Crystal Palace offered the Belgian an opportunity to prove that he is still one of the most creative midfielders in the history of the Premier League.
Despite the champions being shocked by quick-fire strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta, De Bruyne soon put them back on level pegging with a sensational finish on 13 minutes.
After assisting Erling Haaland to make it 3-1 at Selhurst Park, De Bruyne added another goal to his tally, marking 100 in all competitions for City and more than earning his place on this list.
Kevin De Bruyne produced perhaps his best performance of the campaign in Man City’s win over Crystal Palace
The 32-year-old marked a century of goals in all competitions for his club with a brace at Selhurst Park
2. William Saliba (up seven)
If Arsenal are to go one better then they did last season to clinch a first Premier League title in two decades, their defence needs to be exemplary.
Luckily for Mikel Arteta, with William Saliba and Gabriel anchoring his back line the Gunners have proven virtually impenetrable this season.
A 3-0 win at Brighton marked the club’s 15th clean sheet of the season and the Frenchman’s cool, calm, and collected display will no doubt continue to inspire confidence in his teammates as we approach the end of the season.
Tougher battles may be still to come for the Gunners but with Saliba in this kind of form, it will take something special to defeat them.
William Saliba exuded confidence as the Frenchman starred in the heart of Arsenal’s defence
1. Cole Palmer (up one)
After the Blues slipped to a disappointing draw against strugglers Sheffield United on Sunday, Jamie Redknapp noted that Mauricio Pochettino’s side could have found themselves in a relegation battle this season if not for the form of Cole Palmer.
In the seemingly never-ending chaos that is Chelsea football club following Todd Boehly’s arrival nearly two years ago, Palmer’s performances have proven a rare positive.
With an assist against Sheffield United, Cole Palmer continued his prolific maiden campaign for the Blues
At Bramall Lane Palmer set up Madueke’s would-be winner to notch his ninth assist of the campaign before being replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka before his side imploded in the closing stages.
Pochettino was quick to reassure fans post-match that the 21-year-old England international had been withdrawn due to fatigue which will come as a huge relief.
Because without Palmer, it pains one to think where Chelsea might be.
