Following another huge couple of days at both ends of the Premier League table, Sports Mole picks out the 11 most impressive performers from across the division who make up our Team of the Week.
Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City)
He by no means endured his busiest 90 minutes of action in Saturday's victory over Swansea City, but the Danish stopper pulled off one fantastic starfish-like save in the second half to prevent his side throwing all their hard work down the drain. Leicester may have one of the weakest defensive records in the top-flight, but they have certainly gone the right way about rectifying that at home in recent weeks.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Chelsea took another big step towards the Premier League title this week and, while a lot of the credit has rightly gone to their attacking talents, the work of the backline has also been exceptional this season. The Spaniard in particular has grown more into his full-back role over the past couple of seasons, and he even received the plaudits of his manager following the 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Wes Morgan (Leicester City)
Not only was the centre-back's defensive play solid all afternoon against the Swans, but his ability to help out in attack also paid dividends for Nigel Pearson's men. He held off the challenge of Ashley Williams to set up Leonardo Ulloa's opener, while the Foxes skipper also kept his side compact at the back to deny a narrow Swansea side.
John Terry (Chelsea)
Former England manager Fabio Capello claimed earlier this week that Terry should still be a regular pick at the back for the national side and, judging by his performances this season at least, you can not disagree with the Italian's verdict. The 34-year-old dispossessed Radamel Falcao on the halfway line to start the attack which led to the Blues' opening goal, before producing a fantastic block to deny the same player later in the game.
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
The champions ended a tough few weeks by picking up just their second win in five outings at home to a faltering West Ham United side on the weekend, with Zabaleta leading from the back by producing eight tackles, three successful interceptions down the right-hand side and also a well-timed clearance. He certainly cannot be accused of going through the motions in an attacking sense, either, powering forward to help link up play in advanced areas with the aid of Jesus Navas.
Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion)
Strictly speaking, Brunt filled in at left-back for the trip to Selhurst Park, where he registered another two assists. That makes it seven for the season for the former Sheffield Wednesday man, while he also helped his side on their way to a first clean sheet in four games for good measure.
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
One of the hallmarks of this impressive Chelsea outfit has been their ability to deny opposition sides chances at goal. Man United may have dominated possession at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League's biggest game of week, but with Matic at his imperious best in front of the back four, ending the game with four successful clearances in the 18-yard box, four successful tackles spread right across the pitch, and three successful take-ons to show his ability to also start attacks, the home side always looked to be in relative control.
Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur)
It was a decent matchday for holding midfielders, with Gareth Barry, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matic and the reserved Esteban Cambiasso all enjoying fine performances, yet with a bit of pace needed in this side Chadli gets the nod. He looked one of Spurs's livelier players in their 3-1 triumph at St James' Park, opening the scoring on the half-hour mark before making life really tough for the Newcastle United defence. More consistency is now needed in the coming weeks.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Not many will disagree with the opinion that Hazard is the only real contender for the PFA Player of the Year award this season, having scored another crucial goal this weekend to fire his side within two wins of their first league crown in five years. The explosive Belgian flyer has now had a hand in 15 goals - eight goals of his own, plus seven assists - in his last 17 outings in what is turning out to be a hugely impressive season on both an individual and team level.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
It may seem a strange suggestion on the face of it, but Aguero really is a hot and cold player. Just a couple of weeks ago, there were suggestions that he should be left out of City's side following a six-game run without a goal. Yet, just like he has done throughout his Premier League career, he has followed up that barren run by his standards with three net-busters in his last two outings. He is now on 20 for the season, level with Harry Kane at the top of the scoring charts.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Speaking of quiet spells in front of goal, Kane proved that he is more than just a flash in the pan by ending his near four-game wait for a way through by rounding off the scoring against Newcastle. It was a huge victory for Tottenham on the face of it, following a rather shaky spell in recent weeks, while for Kane this goal took him up to 30 for the season and within touching distance of the PFA Young Player of the Year accolade.
Numpty of the week:
Radamel Falcao: It is fair to say that things have not quite gone to plan for Falcao during his season-long loan at Old Trafford. Handed a rare starting spot in West London, he failed to make an impact yet again by registering just three shots all afternoon - all of which were off target.
He was also caught in possession for the game's decisive moment, and did not show near enough quality when it came to linking up play in attack. El Tigre is still reportedly wanted by Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, but he will have to up his game in the closing weeks of the season if he is to keep his Premier League dream alive.
Goal of the week:
Craig Gardner: Palace learned the hard way this weekend that if you give Gardner too much time and space to shoot from range, then it will often prove costly. The 28-year-old did not need a second invitation to take range from 30 yards, setting himself up with one touch before burying the ball beyond Julian Speroni between the sticks.
