James sends Chelsea clear as Cavani inspires Man United: Premier League team of the week

West Ham's dominant midfielder takes his place in the XI, alongside a Crystal Palace player instrumental in the shock win at Manchester City

PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK: Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) – A sensational save from James Maddison’s free kick was the highlight of a defiant display to secure victory over Leicester. Getty Images

Right-back: Reece James (Chelsea) – Two brilliantly-taken goals made the wing-back Chelsea’s unlikely top scorer and condemned sorry Newcastle to another defeat. AP

Centre-back: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) – The summer signing helped frustrate Manchester City, limiting them to three shots on target, and also impressed with his passing. Reuters

Centre-back: Raphael Varane (Manchester United) – United can be glad he returned to fitness. Varane marshalled a defence who prevented Spurs from having a shot on target. AP

Left-back: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves) – Kept Andros Townsend quiet and exerted an influence going forward as Wolves beat Everton to make it four wins out of five. Getty Images

Right midfield: Raphinha (Leeds) – Leeds’ high-class player was the difference-maker with a wonderful solo goal to set them on their way to a much-needed win at Norwich. Getty Images

Centre midfield: Declan Rice (West Ham) – Another week, another outstanding performance. Rice assisted, scored and ran the midfield in the 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa. AFP

Centre midfield: Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace) – Set up Wilfried Zaha’s early opener, scored the late clincher and was irrepressible as Palace got a famous win over Manchester City. Getty Images

Left midfield: Maxwel Cornet (Burnley) – Continued his superb start to life at Turf Moor with a terrific goal as Burnley ended their wait for a victory by beating Brentford. AP

Centre forward: Leandro Trossard (Brighton) – Produced a brilliant performance as a false nine and scored the equaliser as Brighton came from 2-0 down to draw at Anfield. AFP

Centre forward: Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) – Combined brilliantly with Cristiano Ronaldo, took his goal brilliantly and inspired United to a win Ole Gunnar Solskjaer really needed. Getty Images

In terms of this season's Premier League title race, it was a weekend to savour for Chelsea.

For the first time since November 2017, the division's top three teams all kicked off at the traditional Saturday 3pm time slot but only Thomas Tuchel's European champions were able to claim maximum points. The Blues had to be patient but ultimately turned their domination into a comfortable 3-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park as the Magpies' wait for a first win under their new owners continues.

Liverpool looked poised to keep pace with Chelsea after taking a 2-0 lead over Brighton at Anfield but Graham Potter's side fought back superbly to earn a 2-2 draw. At the same time, defending champions Manchester City fell to a shock 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Etihad in a match that saw Aymeric Laporte get sent off.

As a result of those three outcomes, Chelsea have moved three points clear of second-placed Liverpool and extended their lead over City, still in third, to five.

In Saturday's early game, Arsenal continued their climb up the table with a fine 2-0 win at Leicester City, which will be best remembered for Aaron Ramsdale's sensational save from James Maddison's free-kick.

The Gunners are up to sixth in the standings, level on points with Manchester United, who bounced back from last weekend's horror show against Liverpool with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham in Saturday's late kick-off. That defeat proved to be the final nail in Nuno Espirito Santo's coffin and the Portuguese manager was duly sacked on Monday after just 17 games in charge.

Also on Saturday, Burnley earned a vital three points with a 3-1 victory over promoted Brentford at Turf Moor and Southampton collected their second win of the season by edging Watford 1-0 at Vicarage Road.

Sunday began with another defeat for bottom side Norwich City as Leeds United battled to a 2-1 win at Carrow Road, before West Ham maintained their strong to the season with a 4-1 thrashing of 10-man Aston Villa.

On Monday night, Everton fell to a third successive defeat as in-form Wolves moved up to seventh with a 2-1 victory at Molineux.

Picking out the best performers from the latest round of fixtures, Richard Jolly has selected his Premier League team of the week in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device simply swipe.