• PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK: Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) – “Wow,” said Brendan Rodgers after Ramsdale’s stunning save from Harvey Barnes as he repeated his autumn heroics against Leicester. EPA
    PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK: Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) – “Wow,” said Brendan Rodgers after Ramsdale’s stunning save from Harvey Barnes as he repeated his autumn heroics against Leicester. EPA
  • Right-back: Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) – A rock at the back as Brentford snuffed out Burnley before Ivan Toney’s late brace took the promoted club to the brink of safety. AFP
    Right-back: Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) – A rock at the back as Brentford snuffed out Burnley before Ivan Toney’s late brace took the promoted club to the brink of safety. AFP
  • Centre-back: Joel Matip (Liverpool) – A brilliant pass for Luis Diaz’s winner to accompany his usual excellence in defence as Liverpool kept a clean sheet. Getty Images
    Centre-back: Joel Matip (Liverpool) – A brilliant pass for Luis Diaz’s winner to accompany his usual excellence in defence as Liverpool kept a clean sheet. Getty Images
  • Centre-back: Conor Coady (Wolves) – Unusually prolific this season, the captain’s third goal was a wonderful headed winner at Everton from Ruben Neves’ terrific cross. Getty Images
    Centre-back: Conor Coady (Wolves) – Unusually prolific this season, the captain’s third goal was a wonderful headed winner at Everton from Ruben Neves’ terrific cross. Getty Images
  • Left-back: Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) – Excelled against Riyad Mahrez and played his part in Crystal Palace’s outstanding rearguard action to get a point against Manchester City. EPA
    Left-back: Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) – Excelled against Riyad Mahrez and played his part in Crystal Palace’s outstanding rearguard action to get a point against Manchester City. EPA
  • Right midfield: Cucho Hernandez (Watford) – The Colombian’s predatory brace at Southampton earned Watford a surprise away win to revive their hopes of survival. Getty Images
    Right midfield: Cucho Hernandez (Watford) – The Colombian’s predatory brace at Southampton earned Watford a surprise away win to revive their hopes of survival. Getty Images
  • Centre midfield: Jorginho (Chelsea) – Provided the pass for Kai Havertz’s superb late winner against Newcastle. The Italian was terrific in possession as usual before then. Getty Images
    Centre midfield: Jorginho (Chelsea) – Provided the pass for Kai Havertz’s superb late winner against Newcastle. The Italian was terrific in possession as usual before then. Getty Images
  • Centre midfield: Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – Scored a goal, hit the woodwork and had the header that won a penalty to cap his all-action display against Leicester. AP
    Centre midfield: Thomas Partey (Arsenal) – Scored a goal, hit the woodwork and had the header that won a penalty to cap his all-action display against Leicester. AP
  • Left midfield: Luis Diaz (Liverpool) – Continued his brilliant start to life at Liverpool with an outstanding display and a goal that required plenty of bravery at Brighton. AP
    Left midfield: Luis Diaz (Liverpool) – Continued his brilliant start to life at Liverpool with an outstanding display and a goal that required plenty of bravery at Brighton. AP
  • Centre forward: Andriy Yarmolenko (West Ham) – Scored perhaps the most popular goal of the weekend as even Aston Villa looked pleased for the Ukrainian. Getty Images
    Centre forward: Andriy Yarmolenko (West Ham) – Scored perhaps the most popular goal of the weekend as even Aston Villa looked pleased for the Ukrainian. Getty Images
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    FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - March 12, 2022 Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY / File Photo

Ronaldo leads the attack after superb hat-trick: Premier League team of the week


Richard Jolly
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The 2021/22 Premier League season is most certainly at its business end and after what seemed to be a cakewalk to the title for Manchester City, Liverpool have mounted a serious challenge to the reigning champions.

Jurgen Klopp's side applied pressure to City by beating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 in this round's first fixture on Saturday afternoon, before Pep Guardiola's team were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace in the last game on Monday night. The gap is now four points and Liverpool can reduce it to just one by winning their game in hand.

In between those two fixtures, Brentford boosted their survival hopes by beating struggling Burnley 2-0 and Manchester United edged past Tottenham 3-2 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.

On Sunday, Chelsea put aside their ongoing, owner-related troubles to beat Newcastle United 1-0 after a late goal from Kai Havertz, while Everton's problems deepened with a 1-0 home defeat by Wolves. Jesse Marsch earned his first win as Leeds United manager, courtesy of Joe Gelhardt's injury-time winner against Norwich City, Watford claimed a vital 2-1 victory at Southampton, and West Ham beat Aston Villa 2-1 with Ukrainian forward Andriy Yarmolenko scoring an emotional goal.

Arsenal then won for a fifth straight game after beating Leicester City 2-0 in Sunday's late match, and on Monday Palace held on for a point against champions City.

Assessing the performances over the past weekend, 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.

Updated: March 15, 2022, 4:22 AM