Rice, Guimaraes and Kudus battle for midfield supremacy: Premier League team of the week

Arsenal return to the top of the Premier League with win over Brighton while Aston Villa climb to second

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  GK Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur)

  PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (3-5-2): The Italian has a decent shout for best goalkeeper in the league this season. Showed excellent command of his area and denied Nottingham Forest on several occasions - none better than the save to keep out Harry Toffolo's header to preserve Spurs' 2-0 lead. AFPShow less

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  CB Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

  The Dutchman wasn't often tested by a fairly toothless Manchester United attack but when he was he was more than up to the task. Could have got himself a goal at the other end with a towering header that was well saved. APShow less

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  CB Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur)

  Making the centre-back position his own since Micky van de Ven's injury. Timed his tackles to perfection and was efficient on the ball. AFP

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  CB Michael Keane (EVerton)

  Part of the Burnley reunion at Turf Moor and how the Clarets could do with him back in their defensive line in this sort of form. Keane didn't put a foot wrong and got himself on the scoresheet as Everton ran out 2-0 winners. APShow less

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  RM Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur)

  Was at the heart of every attack Tottenham produced in their 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. His sumptuous cross was headed in by Richarlison for the first before Kulusevski smashed home the second. APShow less

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  CM Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United)

  A powerhouse in West Ham's midfield and was absolutely brilliant in the 3-0 home win over Wolves, scoring twice. AFP

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  CM Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)

  Set up two goals for his teammates - the first showed the Brazilian's persistence, the second his precision - as Newcastle returned to winning ways against Fulham. Getty

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  CM Declan Rice (Arsenal)

  It was a weekend dominated by star turns in midfield and none were better than Rice's contribution against Brighton. Ate up ground and swallowed up every Brighton attack as Arsenal returned to the top of the league courtesy of a 2-0 win at the Emirates. GettyShow less

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  LM Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

  Scored the opener to break Sheffield United's resistance and then set up the second for teammate Nicolas Jackson. The 21-year-old has been directly involved in 13 Chelsea goals during his 19 appearances since signing from Manchester City. GettyShow less

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  CF Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)

  Broke the deadlock against Brighton with a header and his all-round link-up play allowed Arsenal to continually keep pressure on the Seagulls. Getty

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  CF Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

  Up against his old club Brentford and showed the battling qualities that first earned him a move to Aston Villa. When the chips were down Villa needed their star man to step up, and boy did he to earn Unai Emery's side a 2-1 comeback win. GettyShow less

It was a weekend in which midfielders really stepped up.

Declan Rice steamrolled Brighton & Hove Albion as Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit courtesy of a 2-0 win.

Bruno Guimaraes showed persistence and precision as he played a part in two of Newcastle United's goals in their 3-0 win over 10-man Fulham.

And Mohammed Kudus excelled with a brace in West Ham United's 3-0 victory against Wolves.

They were by no means the only midfield standouts. Chelsea's Cole Palmer continued to burnish his reputation with a star showing to break Sheffield United's stubborn resistance at Stamford Bridge.

Michael Olise kept his cool from the penalty spot as Crystal Palace pegged back a two-goal deficit against Manchester City. There are serious concerns for Pep Guardiola's side as they landed in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to take part in the Fifa Club World Cup with just one win in six games now.

Everton continued their rise away from the relegation trap door with a 2-0 win at Burnley – a particularly sweet result for Clarets old boys Michael Keane, Dwight McNeil and manager Sean Dyche no doubt.

Aston Villa staged a comeback win away at Brentford in a game that saw both sides finish with 10 men. Ben Mee saw red for hosts Brentford midway through the second half before Boubacar Kamara was sent off in the 97th minute. In between, Ollie Watkins' winner saw Unai Emery's side move up to second in the table.

Liverpool failed to score for the first time in 35 matches in a drab 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Sunday, while on Friday, Tottenham Hotspur's mini revival continued with a 2-0 triumph away to Nottingham Forest.

To see who makes this week's Premier League team of the week, scroll through the picture gallery at the top of the page.