SoccerClub selects the Premier League Team of the Week after Romelu Lukaku bagged four, while three Sunderland players shone against Crystal Palace, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

Goalkeeper: Vito Mannone (Sunderland)

Mannone spent much of the start of the season behind Jordan Pickford, but an injury to the young Englishman thrust Mannone into the team and he has risen to the occasion at the Black Cats. The former Arsenal stopper stepped up and put in a fine performance to help guide his team to three invaluable points against fellow relegation rivals Crystal Palace. Although Sunderland smashed four past Palace, their keeper still had some work to do, making a number of important saves to ensure his team kept a clean sheet.

Right back: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)

He is a makeshift right back no more. Valencia is now one of the league’s best, displaying quality for United this weekend as they thumped Leicester City 3-0. The winger turned defender was a constant threat advancing from his right back role. He even chipped in with a vital assist as Zlatan Ibrahimovic slotted home his driven cross shortly before half time. The Ecuador international left the park with an enhanced reputation and a clean sheet.

Centre back: Lamine Kone (Sunderland)

The Ivory Coast defender was a rock at centre back, helping to shut out the Crystal Palace attack. When assigned as Laurent Koscielny’s replacement, the former Lorient defender got forward and capitalised on some poor defending to get his name on the scoresheet. The defender’s performance was important, as he played a star role in what could be the start of Sunderland’s survival bid.

Centre back: Andrea Ranocchia (Hull City)

Ranocchia, in only his second start since his January move from Inter Milan, put in a fine performance against Liverpool this weekend. The defender was vital in stopping Liverpool from scoring and also provided the assist that helped wrap up the game, with his long ball over the top calmly stroked home by Senegalese star Oumar Niasse.

Left back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

As Chelsea marches on towards the title, one player’s name stands out almost every single week. And it was highlighted again this week as Alonso again became a stand-out performer for Chelsea this weekend in their massive win over Arsenal. The Spaniard got forward and opened the scoring for his team as he followed up from Diego Costa’s shot to head past Petr Cech. The Spaniard also put in the hard work, going back to help his team to another 3 points and crushing the spirit of Gunners’ fans in the process.

Right centre midfield: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Manchester United)

The Armenian playmaker was in scintillating form, much diminishing Leicester’s hopes of escaping the relegation scrap. The former Dortmund star opened the scoring as he ran clean through after a defensive error and slotted home past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel. The midfielder then played in Juan Mata just after half time to put the game to bed as United continued their unbeaten streak in the league.

Centre midfield: Pedro Obiang (West Ham)

Obiang was a top performer for the Hammers this weekend as he helped his side to a 3-1 away victory over Southampton. The midfielder threaded through a well played pass to Andy Carrol to level the scores before West Ham turned up the heat. Obiang then put his side in the lead with a powerful shot from long range which arrowed into the bottom corner. He continued to influence the game from midfield and helped his side gain three points on the road.

Left centre midfield: Ross Barkley (Everton)

The English midfielder is coming into his own under Ronald Koeman as he helped his side with an impressive solo performance to a resounding 6-3 victory over Bournemouth . He was at the heart of Everton’s attacking threat all game and the young star not only provided an assist, but also got on the score sheet as he rounded the goalkeeper to score his team’s sixth goal.

Striker: Jermaine Defoe (Sunderland)

Age is simply a number and Jermaine Defoe is that proof. He was again the star of the show for Sunderland as he bagged a brace in his side’s 4-0 victory. The veteran striker scored the third goal of the game with a quality low finish and then bagged the fourth when he turned his defender and slotted past the keeper to wrap up the game. Defoe’s tally now stands at 14, only two behind Romelu Lukaku.

Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

The Belgian forward was unplayable this weekend as he fired home four goals to move to the top of the league’s scoring charts. His first came as early as the first minute as he curled his shot around the goalkeeper. His second came from a poor back pass which he capitalised on to make it 3-0. Lukaku grabbed his hat-trick with a superb volley and then late on got his fourth as he powered past the Bournemouth defenders, slotting past the goalkeeper to cap a memorable day out at Goodison Park.

Striker: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)

In only his second game in the league, the young Brazilian was the saviour for his side, helping them beat Swansea 2-1. The Brazilian opened the scoring for his side in the first half, reacting quickly to a loose ball in the box to finish with ease. Jesus then wrote his name in lights as he won the game with a late goal, finishing from the rebound of his own header in the 93rd minute. Tipped to be the king of Manchester in years to come, he is already keeping Sergio Aguero on the bench with that run and looking likely to continue after his heroics against the Swans.

Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images