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Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week

Sports Mole picks out the best 11 players from the penultimate weekend of Premier League action.

What a hugely significant weekend it was at both the top and bottom of the Premier League.

Liverpool's dramatic 3-3 draw away at Crystal Palace put a big dent in their quest for the title, while Sunderland's 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford relegated both Fulham and Cardiff City to the Championship.

Elsewhere, Manchester City are now favourites to win the title following their 3-2 triumph at Everton, but Chelsea's chances of success were all but ended by a 0-0 draw with Norwich City.

There were also victories for Arsenal, Stoke City and Aston Villa at the expense of West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Hull City respectively.

Here, Sports Mole has picked out the 11 players that made the biggest impression on us over the last three days.

Joe Hart (Manchester City)
He's had his critics over the course of the campaign, but if City are to win the title, they can pinpoint Hart's performance at Everton as a major contributing factor. His save to deny Steven Naismith was one of the best made by a goalkeeper this season.

Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
Speculation has suggested that the right-back will be leaving Arsenal in the summer and on this evidence, he will be missed. Both defensively and offensively the Frenchman was on good form against West Brom.
Wes Brown (Sunderland)
On his return to Old Trafford, Brown produced a near faultless display as Sunderland recorded another victory. His reading of dangerous situations was a particular highlight.
Michael Turner (Norwich City)
Many felt that it would be a case of how many Norwich would concede at Stamford Bridge, but Turner helped the Canaries to keep an unexpected clean sheet.
Martin Olsson (Norwich City)
The attack-minded left-back, like Turner, defended well, while he also caused problems in the Chelsea half. What's more, he should have been awarded a penalty when tripped by John Terry.

Oussama Assaidi (Stoke City)
Like most wingers, Assaidi can be inconsistent, but he was on top form at the Britannia Stadium. His display against Fulham was rewarded with a goal.
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland)
The Swede had not scored in 45 outings prior to his neatly-dispatched volley at Old Trafford which gave Sunderland all three points. He also showed great a workrate and made numerous challenges in midfield.
Ross Barkley (Everton)
If Roy Hodgson had any doubts about taking the youngster to the World Cup, surely he doesn't now. Not only did he score a great goal, he was the best player on the pitch, despite the fact that he ended up on the losing side.
Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
Some Villa fans have jeered Weimann this season, but he silenced the critics with a two-goal performance against FA Cup finalists Hull.

Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
With Sergio Aguero's fitness unreliable and Alvaro Negredo out of form, Dzeko took over the goalscoring mantle for City. His first was a powerful downward header, while his second was a real poacher's effort.
Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace)
He may have only been on the pitch at Selhurst Park for 25 minutes, but his impact was so big that he could not be ignored. The Liverpool defence couldn't handle the pacey striker as he scored twice to help Palace battle back for a draw.

Numpty of the week

The Liverpool defence: Hosts Palace were buoyant following their second goal, which was the time for Liverpool, who held a 3-2 lead, to switch on defensively. Yet, as a long ball was hoisted up to Glenn Murray, Martin Skrtel was caught in two minds, while Glen Johnson failed to mark Gayle. As a result, Murray flicked the ball on for his strike partner, who scored Palace's third goal in nine minutes. Come the end of the season, it could well be viewed as the moment that cost Liverpool the title.

Goal of the week

Ross Barkley (Everton vs. Man City): The 20-year-old's stock continued to rise with a stunning goal that opened the scoring at Goodison Park. Naismith laid the ball into his path 25 yards from goal and while others would have taken a touch, Barkley whipped an instant shot goalwards. City goalkeeper Hart was at full stretch, but he got nowhere near the midfielder's effort as it flew into the top corner of the net.

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Written by
Liam Apicella
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Ross Barkley of Everton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park on May 3, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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