Costa, Kane, Toure and Sunderland stars in team of the week

Chelsea are top of the Premier League table after victory over Middlesbrough on Sunday sent them one point clear of Liverpool and Man City.

Liverpool relinquished their place at the top after they could only draw against Southampton, allowing Man City to make up lost ground and join them on 27 points thanks to victory over Crystal Palace.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger once again failed to beat Jose Mourinho in the lead. The Gunners 1-1 draw at Man United leaves them in fourth place, one point ahead of local rivals Spurs, who won in thrilling fashion against West Ham.

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But who were the stars of the weekend's action? Here's The Week's pick of the experts' picks:

Goal: Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)

Pickford is the first of several Sunderland players in this week's team after their second win in a row on Saturday. "Against Hull he was largely excellent," says the Daily Mirror. "His kicking helped Sunderland get on the front foot and pressure the Tigers defence. He made five fine saves to keep his clean sheet intact and also showed an increased willingness to leave his line and command his area."

Defence: Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland), Nathan Ake (Bournemouth), Virgil van Dijk (Southampton), Seamus Coleman (Everton)

The Sunderland full back Van Aanholt "cleared two off the line and got an assist", says ESPN, but he also "dominated" the left flank with a fine display of attacking football.

Ake scored the winner for Bournemouth against Stoke and was the joint highest scoring Fantasy Premier League player with 15 points. Van Dijk of Southampton also makes the cut after the 0-0 draw with Liverpool. The Dutchman "made 46 passes against Liverpool; seven more than any other Saints player", notes Goal.com. The two centre backs are also the choice of Jamie Redknapp in the Daily Star, among others.

Coleman of Everton was also a popular choice. "I just had to select Coleman for such a wonderful headed goal against Swansea, and for his all-round commitment." says Garth Crooks of the BBC.

Midfield: Victor Anichebe (Sunderland), Roberto Pereyra (Watford), Yaya Toure (Man City)

The third Sunderland player will drop into midfield. "The 28-year-old has been called in by David Moyes to give Sunderland more of a physical focal point in attack, someone off whose knockdowns Jermain Defoe can feed," says the Daily Mirror. "That tactic is working, but Anichebe also helped himself to a brace in the 3-0 win over Hull, to make it back-to-back wins for Moyes's side."

Pereyra scored Watford's second against Leicester and was a unanimous choice. "This versatile Argentina international has made an art out of playing on the left, cutting inside and using his right foot to devastating effect," says Crooks of the BBC.

Remember Toure? He returned to the Man City side after a period in exile and scored twice against Palace, earning 15 Fantasy Premier League points. "A club legend, Toure proved his worth to Pep Guardiola with two goals to earn a changed Manchester City side victory at Crystal Palace on his return from the fringes," says ESPN. "City are a better team with him."

Attack: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Harry Kane (Spurs), Diego Costa (Chelsea)

Yet another Sunderland player makes the team in the form of Defoe, whose goal against Hull "took him to 150 goals in the Premier League, making him the eighth player to achieve this feat", says Goal.com.

Kane has 18 goals in 22 games against London clubs, notes ESPN. "And he came up with the goods once again to ensure Tottenham snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory against West Ham United... he seems to transform in London derbies."

Costa is back to his best and notched his tenth league goal of the season against Boro. "He's doing all the things that make him great – running channels, bullying defenders, feeding teammates and sniffing out chances for himself," says the Daily Mirror.