Liverpool's march to a first top-flight title in 30 years passed what felt like a significant marker this weekend as they beat bitter rivals Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield to make it 64 points from a possible 66 so far this season.
The Reds are now just 30 points away from wrapping up the title having extended their lead at the top to 16, taking full advantage of both Manchester City and Leicester City dropping points.
Man City were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace, whereas Leicester threw away a lead to lose 2-1 at Burnley on Sunday.
Indeed, only two of the teams that went into the weekend in the top 12 of the table actually won, with Liverpool being joined in that respect by Wolverhampton Wanderers, who came from two down to beat Southampton at St Mary's.
Tottenham Hotspur played out a goalless stalemate with Watford, Arsenal were held at home by Sheffield United and Chelsea lost at Newcastle United in a poor weekend for most of the 'big six'.
Here, Sports Mole selects its Premier League team of the week for gameweek 23.
Leicester are enduring their worst form of the season right now, but they would have got something out of their trip to Burnley had it not been for the fine form of Nick Pope in goal. The England international made seven saves - including one to deny Jamie Vardy from the penalty spot - to earn an important win for his side.
The personnel for this week dictates a back three led by the imperious Virgil van Dijk, who was once again a towering presence at both ends of the pitch as Liverpool beat United. The Dutchman scored the opener to get Liverpool on their way, while at the back he was as unflappable as ever en route to a seventh successive clean sheet.
Van Dijk is joined by a fellow Merseysider in Mason Holgate, who assisted Everton's equaliser against West Ham United in addition to making four tackles, two blocks, one interception and seven clearances, including one off the line.
Jamaal Lascelles completes the trio for his role in leading Newcastle to a memorable victory over Chelsea, winning five aerial duels and making 11 clearances as the Magpies kept their visitors at bay.
The three-at-the-back system means that Adama Traore is forced to feature as a wing-back following yet another effective display for Wolves. The Spaniard inspired his side's second-half comeback against Southampton, assisting two of their three goals as he continued his rich vein of form.
On the opposite flank, Enda Stevens gets the nod having had more touches than any other Sheffield United player during their draw at Arsenal, and he is joined in midfield by the man who earned the Blades that point. John Fleck's finish zipped off the surface and past Bernd Leno, ensuring Chris Wilder's high-flying side came away with a deserved result.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Fred both deserve mentions for their performances in the match at Anfield, but it is Liverpool's skipper Jordan Henderson who completes the midfield from that showdown. The Englishman put in a combative performance as Liverpool controlled the game for the most part, and it was a toss-up between him and Van Dijk for man of the match.
Two other players from the same game were also competing for man of the match - Sergio Aguero for Man City and Cenk Tosun for Crystal Palace, the latter impressing on his first start for his new club.
Tosun opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium and threatened to do more damage to a shaky City defence as well, whereas Aguero continued his superb goalscoring form with a brace that takes him beyond 250 for Man City and clear of Frank Lampard in the all-time Premier League list.
Raul Jimenez rounds off this week's XI having also helped himself to a brace against Southampton, levelling things up with a cool penalty before completing the comeback in the final 15 minutes with a clinical finish.
Barney Corkhill
