Tottenham’s boy wonder; Chelsea’s Arsenal-antagonising pair – EPL team of the week

Clive Mason / Getty Images

Dan Mullan / Getty Images

Alex Livesey / Getty Images

Michael Steele / Getty Images

Andrew Yates / Reuters

Glyn Kirk / AFP

Paul Burrows/ Action Images / Reuters

Paul Gilham / Getty Images

John Sibley / Action Images / Reuters

John Sibley / Action Images / Reuters

Richard Jolly names his Best XI in the Premier League for the January 23-24 weekend, with Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris leading an impressive Tottenham Hotspur side and Roberto Firmino turning in an influential performance for five-goal Liverpool.

Read more: Steve Luckings on how it's so easy to hate Diego Costa – and how it only fuels him

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Frenchman was at his finest with some remarkable saves to make Spurs’ 3-1 comeback win at Crystal Palace possible.

Right-back: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)

Provided the inch-perfect cross for Diego Costa’s winner at Arsenal and the Serb helped Chelsea keep a clean sheet at Emirates Stadium, too.

Centre-back: Craig Cathcart (Watford)

The Northern Irishman chipped in with a rare goal as Watford ended their losing run with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Centre-back: Ashley Williams (Swansea City)

The captain led by example with a defiant display at the back to earn new manager Francesco Guidolin a debut win at Everton.

Left-back: Matt Targett (Southampton)

Played with impressive composure as Southampton restricted Manchester United to one shot on target in their win at Old Trafford.

Right winger: Andre Ayew (Swansea City)

Won the penalty for Swansea’s opening goal and scored the second himself in an all-action display at Goodison Park.

Centre midfield: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

The youngster’s volley on the turn put Spurs ahead at Selhurst Park and was surely the goal of the weekend.

Centre midfield: Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City)

The former Manchester United midfielder’s first top-flight goal set Leicester on their way to an emphatic win over Stoke.

Left winger: Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)

Enner Valencia and Sergio Aguero both scored twice but the classy Payet was the best player in West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

Striker: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

The Brazilian scored a second double in three games to provide some of the drama in Liverpool’s incredible 5-4 win at Norwich City.

Striker: Diego Costa (Chelsea)

Arsenal’s nemesis belatedly returned to his best, scoring the winner and causing Per Mertesacker’s red card on Sunday.