With so much at stake, it’s little surprise that last weekend saw players – both expected and unexpected – step up to the plate with big performances.
Did anyone predict Jhon Duran coming off the bench to salvage a point for Aston Villa against Liverpool with two goals?
Or how about Josko Gvardiol being on the brink of being the first Premier League defender ever to score a hat-trick… only to humbly pass up the opportunity?
Both Manchester City and Arsenal won as they continued their stomps and tussles towards the final day, while Burnley‘s relegation was confirmed and Luton are on the brink.
From the weekend and Monday night’s action – that’s right, we cut off Tuesday for this selection – here are the latest power rankings.
10) Jhon Duran (new entry)
Coming on and scoring two late goals against Liverpool to rescue your side a point in the hunt for the top four – which Aston Villa have now achieved – deserves credit.
Duran saved the day with a nicely worked strike from outside the box and then a deflection of which he knew nothing until it looped over Alisson.
He obviously stole the headlines from the day but Duran doesn’t go higher than 10th because this is, on evidence of the last few games, a flash in the pan.
Duran had played just 24 minutes off the bench in Villa’s past five games put together, so he needs a more consistent run if he’s to place higher.
Jhon Duran’s two goals as a substitute against Liverpool see him spring into the top 10
9) Alexander Isak (down three)
The Swede has been the star of Newcastle’s season with 24 goals and his recent prolific form merits his place in the top 10.
He had scored in seven straight home games coming into the 1-1 draw with Brighton but was off the pace against the Seagulls.
As Eddie Howe said after the game: ‘You could see Alex wasn’t at full tilt today. He just wasn’t feeling quite 100 per cent. You notice when a player of his calibre isn’t quite where he needs to be.’
Maybe they advised him to have a quiet week just to put off any suitors…
Alexander Isak has been the star of Newcastle’s season but had a frustrating game against Brighton
8) Harvey Elliott (up one)
Elliott has surged back into the first team in recent weeks with a series of class performances. His work ethic and technical ability justify his place, especially with other midfielders dragging their feet.
His better game was against Spurs when he scored that scorcher but he was still influential in the 3-3 draw with Villa, assisting Jarell Quansah for Liverpool’s third.
His cross forced the bizarre own goal by Emi Martinez early in Liverpool’s game against Villa.
If there’s clamour for Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton to get a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad, then there has to be the same conversation about Elliott.
He has only stepped up in the past few games when team-mates have dropped off and is an established player now.
Harvey Elliott has made himself an important figure for Liverpool in the back end of the season
7) Moussa Diaby (new entry)
Moussa Diaby won man of the match for his sparkling role in Vila’s draw with Liverpool.
The defence had trouble containing him all night as he switched sides and he also set up Duran for his fluky second goal with an incisive pass.
He hasn’t had much of a look-in with our power rankings despite his big role in Villa’s top-four qualification, so he deserves some points here for his patience.
Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele gave Diaby an eight and man of the match for his showing against the Reds and that seals the deal.
Moussa Diaby was a thorn in Liverpool’s side all evening and set up Duran for his second goal
6) Bernardo Silva (new entry)
The Portuguese ran the show at Fulham, bagging two assists in City’s 4-1 win.
City’s second goal resulted from his skillful inside run from the right flank while he whipped in a lovely cross for Gvardiol for City’s third.
In August, he signed a new contract with City until 2026 and they will hope that no Saudi Arabian clubs come calling in the summer.
His creative energy and quality on the ball have once again come to the fore this campaign and he is ever-present.
Bernardo Silva created two of Manchester City’s goals in their 4-1 triumph over Fulham
5) Josko Gvardiol (new entry)
Who needs Erling Haaland when you’ve got Josko Gvardiol?
City’s left-back has scored five goals in his last seven games and had the chance to become the first defender in Premier League history to score a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Fulham.
Instead, he selflessly let Julian Alvarez take the spot kick, with goal difference potentially playing a crucial role in City’s title push.
It’s a compliment to your skill and the confidence your team-mates have in you when Jeremy Doku is being forced to cover your marauding runs.
Josko Gvardiol has become an unlikely goalscoring hero with five goals in seven games
4) Declan Rice (down one)
The Englishman wasn’t his usual self in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford, but Manchester United didn’t have much joy in the midfield and he was part of the suppression.
A reckless back-pass in the early exchanges gave a scare but he grew into the game.
Rice has been a commanding presence for Mikel Arteta this season and has, you feel, filled a missing piece of the cog in some ways.
With the title race going down the wire, his cool head and ability to dictate play are going to be critical as Arsenal seek to take charge of their destiny.
Declan Rice has been a commanding presence for Arsenal this season and pivotal in their title push
3) Bukayo Saka (down one)
Saka put in a subdued performance against United and was hooked late on with an injury.
He had clattered into the hoardings after slipping down the infamous Old Trafford slope but Arteta insisted he ‘should be fine’.
Considering he scored against Tottenham and Bournemouth in the games prior, Saka has done enough in the last few games to stay high on this list.
It shows his character after a dry spell of one goal in seven games prior.
Bukayo Saka was more subdued against Manchester United but has scored important goals recently
2) Erling Haaland (down one)
It was always going to be hard to replicate four goals against Wolves.
Haaland had a decent game against Fulham and gave Calvin Bassey lots to worry about but also squandered a good one-on-one chance, curling high and wide from point-blank range in the second half.
People have looked for chinks in his armour to criticise this season but even if he hasn’t reached the heights of his debut campaign at the Etihad, he has still scored 27 league goals.
Note: His two goals against Tottenham on Tuesday night do not count towards this matchday of power rankings.
Erling Haaland was a handful all afternoon for Fulham but couldn’t find the back of the net
1) Michael Olise (up three)
Michael Olise is in devastating form.
At this rate, Crystal Palace would be wise to revise their £60m asking price for the 22-year-old because he looks more and more like a top player each week.
Bettering a double in a 4-0 win against Manchester United was going to be difficult, but Olise pulled out all the stops against Wolves.
He scored a sumptuous strike with his left foot from 20 yards out to open the scoring and teed up Eberechi Eze for Palace’s third.
Olise has returned to his pre-injury form under Oliver Glasner, scoring four times and making two assists in his last five games. Five wins in six for Palace? It’s no coincidence.
Michael Olise has been fantastic for Crystal Palace recently and has earned his place at the top of the pyramid
