The thrills and spills of Premier League football returned in full force this weekend after the final international break of the campaign, and plenty has changed since Sportsmail last updated its Power Rankings.
Crystal Palace and Tottenham parted company with Patrick Vieira and Antonio Conte respectively a fortnight ago, and now, after yet another decisive weekend at both ends of the table, two more managers have been shown the exit door.
Graham Potter’s ill-fated tenure at Stamford Bridge finally drew to a close following Chelsea’s disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa, and Leicester’s FA Cup-winning boss Brendan Rodgers was sacked after slipping into the relegation zone with a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Selhurst Park.
Meanwhile, league leaders Arsenal continued their title surge with a rampant 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Leeds, maintaining their eight-point cushion at the summit of the table after Manchester City’s 4-1 triumph over Liverpool.
League leaders Arsenal continued their superb run of form with a 4-1 triumph over Leeds, as midfielder Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring the Gunners’ fourth at the Emirates on Saturday
Roy Hodgson (above) enjoyed a fruitful return to the dugout at Selhurst Park, as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stoppage time winner handed Crystal Palace a crucial 2-1 victory against Leicester
Bournemouth leapt out of the drop zone with a 2-1 victory against Fulham, West Ham prevailed in a crucial six-pointer over Southampton and it was honours even at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest and Wolves played out a tight 1-1 draw.
Newcastle took a huge step in their pursuit of Champions League football next season, climbing to third with a 2-0 victory over fellow top four chasers Manchester United and capitalising on Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at Everton.
With 31 goals to digest from the weekend, here’s how Sportsmail’s Power Rankings look ahead of the midweek fixtures.
Chelsea have axed Graham Potter (left) while Leicester have sacked Brendan Rodgers (right)
10. Emiliano Martinez (non-mover)
The Argentine’s extended World Cup celebrations last week certainly did not serve as a distraction upon his return to Aston Villa.
Martinez kept up his superb form between the sticks at Stamford Bridge, compounding Chelsea’s woes in front of goal with a handful of crucial saves, denying Joao Felix and Kai Havertz’s efforts to equalise.
His distribution was a little wayward at times, and he almost handed Mykhailo Mudryk a sixth-minute goal after poorly passing to Boubacar Kamara early on.
Nevertheless, Martinez more than deserves to keep his place inside Sportsmail’s Top 10, having guided Unai Emery’s side to a fourth league win in five matches since mid-February.
Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez impressed again at Chelsea
The shot-stopper made a handful of saves – pictured denying Joao Felix – during Villa’s 2-0 win
9. Leandro Trossard (down three)
Arsenal’s January signing is continuing to prove his worth in red and white, this weekend replacing star man Bukayo Saka on the right, who was unable to start the match through illness.
The Belgian didn’t cover himself in glory in the first half, typifying an uncharacteristically lacklustre display from the league leaders early on, but looked much improved after the break, setting up Gabriel Jesus’ second in the 55th minute.
Plenty was said about Arsenal’s lack of depth at the start of the season, but Trossard has shown he can act as reliable cover for first-team stars Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
Whilst not his best display in a Gunners jersey, the winger did enough to remain inside Sportsmail’s Top 10 after his 90-minute outing against Leeds.
Leandro Trossard started slowly against Leeds but improved as Arsenal grew into the game
The Belgian set up Gabriel Jesus for his second as Arsenal kept their eight-point lead at the top
8. Bruno Guimaraes (new entry)
Newcastle took a monumental step towards a top four finish on Sunday, and midfield maestro Guimaraes was at the heart of their victory over Erik ten Hag’s side.
Scott McTominay’s exceptional form during the international break was soon halted by Newcastle’s Brazilian star, who pulled the strings in midfield with close control and pinpoint passes.
He demonstrated his creative value with a superb hanging cross in the build up for Newcastle’s opener and defended reliably when called upon.
Should Newcastle reach the Champions League next season, Guimaraes looks a ready-made talent for the competition and will no doubt attract plenty of interest during the summer window.
Bruno Guimaraes pulled the strings for Newcastle during their 2-0 win over Manchester United
The in-form Brazilian midfielder gave Scott McTominay plenty of problems in the engine room
7. Gabriel Jesus (new entry)
Eddie Nketiah may have limited the impact of Jesus’ absence with a handful of important goals since November, but Mikel Arteta will be delighted to have his Brazilian hitman fully fit ahead of a historic run-in in north London.
The striker kept his nerve from the spot to hand Arsenal the lead in the 35th minute and found the net again in the second half after combining with Trossard during his first Premier League start alongside the Belgian.
Jesus could easily have bagged hat-trick had he not wasted an excellent chance with his head but bowed out at the Emirates on the hour mark safe in the knowledge that he’d all but confirmed the three points for his side.
Penny for the thoughts of Pep Guardiola, whose former colleague could well cost Manchester City the title.
Gabriel Jesus netted his first Premier League goals since November in Arsenal’s win over Leeds
The Brazilian hitman netted from the penalty spot to hand the Gunners an important 1-0 lead
6. Jack Grealish (new entry)
Although the stakes weren’t quite as high for this weekend’s episode of Manchester City versus Liverpool, the hosts will be delighted to have earned bragging rights over their modern-day rivals.
Grealish returned to the Etihad after England’s fruitful fortnight of Euro 2024 qualifying full of confidence and it shows as he ripped apart Trent Alexander-Arnold on the left flank.
The former Villa star has endured plenty of criticism since his £100million move to Manchester but looked well worth the fee on Saturday, provided two goal contributions in one of his best performances under Guardiola.
His 74th minute strike capped off a masterful display and kept the pressure on Arsenal, which is all City can do until they face them on April 26.
Jack Grealish caused chaos for Liverpool on the left flank as Manchester City triumphed 4-1
The England star has been a key asset for Pep Guardiola and the reigning champions this term
5. Alexis Mac Allister (up three)
Fewer players have enjoyed a better six months than Alexis Mac Allister, who is emerging a pivotal talisman under Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton.
Since lifting the World Cup in Qatar last year, Mac Allister has taken on a more advanced role in the Seagulls’ midfield, tasked with creating chances and scoring goals in and around the box rather than fashioning opportunities from deep.
His stoppage time penalty against Brentford was crucial in keeping hope of a Champions League finish alive, with Brighton still three games better off than out-of-sorts Tottenham, who are seven points ahead in fourth.
Brighton continue to find and develop young talents on a regular basis – and will no doubt rivet the gaze of several elite clubs in the summer transfer window.
Alexis Mac Allister is emerging a talisman for Brighton off the back of his World Cup triumph
He kept his nerve to slot home a stoppage time penalty as the Seagulls drew 3-3 with Brentford
4. Bukayo Saka (down three)
His three-place slump in Sportsmail’s Power Rankings will look harsh on the surface, seeing as he didn’t start against Leeds due to illness, but the continued form of those ahead of him lands Saka at fourth on the list.
In hindsight it was a smart move from Arteta not to risk his star man at the weekend, with Saka set to play a huge role in Arsenal’s push for the Premier League trophy between now and the end of May.
The youngster had a few bright moments after he came on for Jesus on the hour mark but didn’t find the net or assist one of his team-mates during the 4-1 win.
Expect Saka to play a major role during the Gunners’ vital trip to Anfield next weekend.
Bukayo Saka was rested until the 60th minute by Mikel Arteta, replacing match-winner Jesus
The England international has been Arsenal’s star man this campaign as they push for the title
3. Harry Kane (non-mover)
It’s been a record-breaking run for Kane both domestically and internationally, and the Spurs hitman continued his success in front of goal with a second-half penalty against Everton on Monday.
Although blessed with England’s all-time top scorer leading the line, Spurs are struggling to carve out the results they need to ensure a top four finish, drawing 1-1 at Goodison Park in their first outing under interim boss Cristian Stellini.
Tottenham owe their league position almost entirely to Kane’s predatory instincts in and around the box – and will do well to keep him this summer after yet another campaign without silverware.
Unfortunately for Kane, as his goals are not leading to positive results at Spurs, he’s remained a non-mover in Sportsmail’s Power Rankings this week.
Harry Kane (right) netted his 22nd league goal this season during Spurs’ 1-1 draw at Everton
The Tottenham star was involved in an altercation with Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was sent off
2. Ollie Watkins (up two)
If anyone has benefitted from the arrival of a new manager this season, it’s Ollie Watkins.
Unai Emery’s side climbed above Chelsea and Fulham into ninth on Saturday after their 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge, as Watkins bagged his seventh league goal in nine matches for the Villains.
Despite squandering a chance early on, the striker didn’t blink twice when a second opportunity presented itself – and coolly lobbed Chelsea’s stranded keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to hand the visitors an important lead.
Having been left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad a fortnight ago, Watkins staked his claim to the Three Lions boss and will be hard to snub in the next set of internationals should his form continue.
Ollie Watkins (above) is in the form of his life at Aston Villa, netting his seventh goal in nine games on Saturday to help Unai Emery’s side to a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea
His majestic lob against Kepa Arrizabalaga handed the visitors a 1-0 lead during the first half
1. Gabriel Martinelli (up one)
No Saka? No problem. Martinelli may not have found the scoresheet against Leeds – but the winger did everything else required of him on Saturday.
The Brazilian gave Luke Ayling a headache all afternoon on the left-hand side and dazzled Leeds’ defence with direct and penetrative runs both on and off the ball, leading to the visitors’ defensive capitulation during the second half.
His excellent low-driven cross towards Ben White at the back post shortly after the break handed Arsenal a two-goal cushion and forced Leeds to chase the game, and he continued to show his value to Arteta with a hard-working 90-minute performance.
Martinelli may have been overshadowed by the likes of Saka, Odegaard and Jesus at times this season, but now it’s his turn in the limelight at the top of Sportsmail’s Power Rankings.
Gabriel Martinelli dazzled Leeds’ defence on Saturday and took the reins in Saka’s absence
The Brazilian embraces Ben White as the pair celebrate Arsenal’s second goal at the Emirates
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