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TEAM WORKS

Harry Kane scores yet again, Tommy Smith leads by example and Leroy Sane sparkles for the leaders… here’s SunSport’s team of the weekend

Man City went further ahead at the top while the shock of the day saw Huddersfield Town topple title-chasing Man United

THERE were goals galore this weekend in the Premier League as Manchester City moved five points clear at the top.

While at the wrong end, Crystal Palace remain rooted to the bottom after a dour performance in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.

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Everton were humbled 5-2 at home to Arsenal that cost Ronald Koeman his job, while Huddersfield provided the shock of the weekend with a 2-1 home win against Manchester United.

Here is SunSport's team of the weekend, with Friday's West Ham versus Brighton game included.

GK - Ben Foster

He was beaten by a worldie of a goal by Southampton's Sofiane Boufal, but West Brom's Ben Foster showed he is still at the top of his game.

 West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster may have been on the losing team, but he still put in a great shift
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West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster may have been on the losing team, but he still put in a great shiftCredit: Reuters
Sofiane Boufal produced a late run and super finish to win a cagey match for Southampton against West Brom

The Baggies had big injury concerns for the game, with back-up Boaz Myhill also out injured.

But Foster shrugged off a knee injury, and his performance was well worthy of at least a point before Boufal stole the show.


RON GONE Ronald Koeman SACKED as Everton boss after their disastrous start to the 2017-18 season


Def - Tommy Smith

It's not surprising a Huddersfield defender makes the team of the weekend after their stunning 2-1 win at home to Manchester United.

But the hard decision came picking which one.

 Huddersfield captain Tommy Smith led by example as Manchester United were despatched
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Huddersfield captain Tommy Smith led by example as Manchester United were despatchedCredit: Reuters
A mistake by Victor Lindelof gifted Huddersfield a second goal in their 2-1 win over Manchester United

Tommy Smith gets the nod for us. The Terriers captain thundered into tackles all day, and ensure nothing, including Anthony Martial, got past him.

It was no surprise that the inconsistent Frenchman was subbed off, not long after he kicked out at Smith.

It was clear who had won the day.

Def - Jamaal Lascelles

The Newcastle captain couldn't even get into the starting XI at the beginning of the season.

Now he is being talked about as being a mainstay for the England senior team.

Lascelles was part of a Magpies defence that kept a clean-sheet at home to Crystal Palace - the Eagles didn't even manage to have a single shot on target.

 Jamaal Lascelles is proving a real rock at the heart of the Newcastle defence
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Jamaal Lascelles is proving a real rock at the heart of the Newcastle defenceCredit: Reuters
Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye was maybe lucky to receive just a yellow card for his foul on Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin

Def -  Nicolas Otamendi

Nicolas Otamendi is criticised as being the weak link in the Man City backline, but on Saturday he proved there is something there.

Quite whether it comes out on an inconsistent basis is another thing, but the Argentinian put on an assured display at the heart of City's defence.

He also scored in his side's 3-0 win at home to Burnley as Man City extended their lead to five points at the top of the league.

 Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi wheels away after scoring in a 3-0 win against Burnley
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Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi wheels away after scoring in a 3-0 win against BurnleyCredit: AP:Associated Press

Def - Lewis Dunk

Brighton left West Ham fans furious after hammering them 3-0 on Friday night, and Lewis Dunk once again put on a commanding display.

With many tipping the Seagulls for an immediate return to the Championship, Dunk has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water - or a Dunk to water.

Now he is being talked-up for an England call. Brighton will be hoping this doesn't accelerate interest in him when the transfer window re-opens.

 Lewis Dunk has impressed for Brighton, with some predicting he will get an England call
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Lewis Dunk has impressed for Brighton, with some predicting he will get an England callCredit: Rex Features
West Ham 0-3 Brighton: Glenn Murray brace and Jose Izquierdo strike secures away win as Seagulls fly against sorry Hammers

Mid - Aaron Mooy

Huddersfield were desperate to sign Aaron Mooy on a permanent basis after he helped lead them to promotion from the Championship last season.

And Manchester City duly obliged - it would have been hard to see him dislodging the likes of David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne in Pep Guardiola's team.

But given the responsibility of being the "engine room leader" at Huddersfield, Mooy is once again excelling.

His tenacious play saw him score Town's second against Man United, and his leadership and endeavour helped calm team-mates on their way to a memorable victory.

 Aaron Mooy is the driving force behind Huddersfield's impressive start to the season
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Aaron Mooy is the driving force behind Huddersfield's impressive start to the seasonCredit: Reuters
Huddersfield 2-1 Manchester United: Aaron Mooy and Lauren Depoitre shock Jose Mourinho on an historic day for the Terriers

Mid - Leroy Sane

Perhaps one of the unsung heroes in the Manchester City team, whenever Leroy Sane gets the nod to start he impresses.

On Saturday he helped himself to an assist and a goal as Pep Guardiola's side proved too clinical for Burnley with a 3-0 win.

At just 21 years old, Sane has all the tools in his locker to become a Premier League great.

 Leroy Sane impresses whenever he gets the call to start by Man City boss Pep Guardiola
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Leroy Sane impresses whenever he gets the call to start by Man City boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: Rex Features
Manchester City 3-0 Burnley: Sergio Aguero nets record-equalling penalty before Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane finish Clarets off

Mid - Mesut Ozil

If Nicolas Otamendi is much-maligned, then Ozil tips that off the scale.

On his day he is world class - but sadly for Arsenal he has more off-days than on at the moment.

But on Saturday, restored to a delicious-looking attacking trio alongside Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette, Ozil sparkled.

He ended the game with a goal and an assist, helping condemn Everton to defeat and their boss Ronald Koeman to the sack.

 Mesut Ozil impressed for Arsenal on his return to the first team against Everton
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Mesut Ozil impressed for Arsenal on his return to the first team against EvertonCredit: Getty - Contributor
Alexis Sanchez scores sublime solo-goal in the last moments for Arsenal against Everton

CF - Glenn Murray

The veteran striker is in his second spell with Brighton at the age of 34, and is tasked with guiding them to Premier League safety.

All in a day's work for Glenn Murray.

He scored twice against West Ham on Friday night in a 3-0 victory, one a penalty and the other a deft header that left the London Stadium stunned.

It was perceived by many that Murray would be a bit-part player for the Seagulls this season. Clearly he isn't going to settle for that.

 Brighton striker Glenn Murray scored twice as West Ham were humbled on Friday night
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Brighton striker Glenn Murray scored twice as West Ham were humbled on Friday nightCredit: Getty Images - Getty

CF - Michy Batshuayi

Chelsea were 2-1 down when Chelsea boss Antonio Conte decided to replace the ineffective Alvaro Morata with Michy Batshuayi.

And it couldn't have gone any better for the Belgian.

He finished with two goals, one a fine header and the other a composed finish to almost single-handedly drag Chelsea to three points.

Clearly he wants to become a regular starter, and if he carries on making this kind of impact, he has a very good case.

 Michy Batshuayi scored twice to help Chelsea to a come-from-behind win at home to Watford
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Michy Batshuayi scored twice to help Chelsea to a come-from-behind win at home to WatfordCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Antonio Conte celebrated with the crowd at Stamford Bridge as Cesar Azpilicueta headed Chelsea ahead against Watford

CF - Harry Kane

Where will it end with Harry Kane?

Now talked about in the same breath as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Tottenham striker scored twice more as Spurs thrashed Liverpool 4-1 on Sunday.

Kane has now scored 17 goals in just 16 games in all competitions for club and country. The sky is the limit. Spurs will be hoping that is sky over north London.

 Harry Kane can't stop scoring as he leads Spurs' title charge
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Harry Kane can't stop scoring as he leads Spurs' title chargeCredit: PA:Press Association
Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool: Harry Kane nets yet another brace for Spurs as Mauricio Pochettino’s men run riot at Wembley
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