Arsenal pair help extend lead at the top: Premier League team of the week

A 4-2 win at Brighton & Hove Albion sees the Gunners move seven points clear

PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (4-3-3): GK: David de Gea (Manchester United). Two important saves against Wolves – the first an acrobatic stop from Ruben Neves’ free kick, the second from close range in the dying stages – were vital to ensure United left Molineux with all three points. AP

RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United). Newcastle’s run of six straight wins may have come to an end with a goalless draw against Leeds, but their England full-back was once again excellent at St James’ Park. Should be in player-of-the-season contention if he maintains this form for the rest of the campaign. Getty

CB: Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest). Led the Forest backline as Chelsea dominated possession but failed to create many chances, particularly in the second half. Provided the knock on for Serge Aurier’s goal to ensure Forest claimed a deserved, and valuable, point. PA

CB: Liam Cooper (Leeds United). It’s proving a mighty challenge to prevent Newcastle from scoring this season, but Leeds managed just that with a clean sheet at St James’ Park. Captain Cooper in central defence was a key reason behind an impressive away point for Leeds. AFP

LB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United). Deployed again at centre-back and continues to impress in his newfound role as United claimed a victory and a clean sheet at Wolves to move into the top four. Getty

CM: Michael Olise (Crystal Palace). The French midfielder provided both assists in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth as Patrick Vieira’s side returned to winning ways following back-to-back defeats. Reuters

CM: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal). The Arsenal captain is becoming a regular in this team and he was again superb in the 4-2 win at Brighton. Scored the second, set up the fourth and was the beating heart of Arsenal’s midfield. AP

CM: Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa). Played a part in Aston Villa’s first goal at Tottenham as it was his long-range effort that Hugo Lloris spilled, before doubling his team’s lead with a cool finish. Villa are looking an entirely different team under Unai Emery. AP

RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). Sent Arsenal on their way with the opener inside the first two minutes at Brighton and continued to pull the opposition defence to pieces as the Gunners extended their lead at the top to seven points. Will Arsenal go all the way? With Saka in this sort of form, it’s more than possible. AFP

LW: Demarai Gray (Everton). When Everton went behind at Manchester City, it looked like a fourth straight defeat was on the cards. Then Gray popped up with the goal of the weekend to earn the Toffees a massive point. AFP

CF: Ivan Toney (Brentford). Continued his excellent season by scoring the first and assisting the second in Brentford’s 2-0 win at West Ham. Stretchered off with a knee injury, which manager Thomas Franck insisted is "not significant". Only Erling Haaland (21) and Harry Kane (13) have scored more than Toney’s 12 Premier League goals this season. Reuters

It was a very good weekend for title-chasing Arsenal, who moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table following their 4-2 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

After Manchester City were held to an unlikely 1-1 draw by struggling Everton at the Etihad, the Gunners had the opportunity to capitalise in their later game on New Year's Eve – and capitalise they did, easing to victory at the Amex Stadium thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, captain Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal are now in control of the title race and are seeking a first Premier League trophy since 2004. Should their title bid falter, a return to the Champions League – for the first time since 2017 – via a top-four finish looks very much on the cards.

A coveted top-four spot is the main aim for Liverpool after their stuttering start to the season, and the Reds appear to have found form after a fourth straight win, beating Leicester City 2-1 at Anfield, courtesy of two own goals from Wout Faes, as the latest round of fixtures got underway on Friday.

That match took place after Brentford beat West Ham 2-0 at the London Stadium, handing the Hammers a fifth straight defeat and leaving David Moyes' side just one place above the relegation zone.

Saturday's fixtures began with Manchester United moving into the top four with a 1-0 win at Wolves, substitute Marcus Rashford scoring the winner having been dropped from the starting XI for arriving late to a team meeting.

Crystal Palace then claimed all three points at Bournemouth with a 2-0 victory, Fulham beat bottom side Southampton 2-1 at Craven Cottage, and Leeds United held Newcastle to a goalless draw at St James' Park.

On Sunday, two more top-four hopefuls were dealt significant setbacks to their ambitions as Tottenham were defeated 2-0 at home by Aston Villa, before Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Assessing the performances from the latest round of fixtures, Jon Turner 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 swipe if using a mobile device.