Who takes top spot in this week’s Premier League POWER RANKINGS?

Each week throughout the 2020-21 season, Sportsmail brings you a Power Rankings table, listing the top 10 hottest players in the Premier League.

As the stories of the season unravel, the rankings will provide a form guide with players moving in and out of the top 10 depending on both their performances in the previous fixtures and also in recent weeks.

It was the Premier League weekend that saw Manchester City well and truly underline their title credentials by winning 4-1 at reigning champions Liverpool.

That result took them five points clear at the top with a game in hand after Manchester United dropped two points deep into stoppage time against Everton.

Meanwhile, Tottenham returned to winning ways, Chelsea continued their good start under Thomas Tuchel, Arsenal lost again and the gap between the bottom three and the rest widened.

There were many excellent individual performances in the top-flight but which players from last week’s list will drop out and who will come out on top this time around?

10. Mohamed Salah (Down five)

The Egyptian has been a staple in our Power Rankings since they started and actually topped the list just over a week ago after scoring two lovely goals in Liverpool’s win at West Ham.

But the Power Rankings wait for no man and back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Manchester City have wrecked their title defence and dropped Salah almost out of the top 10.

He won a penalty and converted it with confidence but that was pretty much Salah’s only sniff of goal as City outclassed them to win 4-1.

Mohamed Salah was accurate from the penalty spot against Man City but Liverpool were poor

9. Mason Mount (New entry)

Chelsea have certainly improved since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard and they recorded a third straight victory at Sheffield United on Sunday night.

Any fears that Lampard’s departure would jeopardise Mason Mount’s place in the team have proved unfounded and the England star was on target at Bramall Lane.

Mount seems to have found his role within Tuchel’s 3-4-2-1 formation behind the two front men and his fine form this season doesn’t seem to have been interrupted by the change of manager.

Mason Mount (right) celebrates after scoring for Chelsea in their win at Sheffield United

8. Tyrone Mings (New entry)

Aston Villa are certainly in contention to qualify for Europe at the end of the season and their success has been founded on resolute defensive performances.

That was certainly in evidence on Saturday when they kept their 11th clean sheet of the league season – only leaders Man City have more – to complete a home and away double over Arsenal.

And Mings was absolutely excellent in marshalling the back four to keep Arsenal’s threat at bay as they dominated the game following Ollie Watkins’ early opener.

Mings put his body on the line time after time to earn another notable three points while maintaining his case for England inclusion at Euro 2020.  

Tyrone Mings was excellent at the heart of Aston Villa’s defence as they beat Arsenal 1-0

7. Bukayo Saka (Down three)

By the same token, it was a frustrating afternoon at Villa Park for Arsenal and especially their attackers, who couldn’t find a way past their old keeper Emiliano Martinez.

Saka, 19, has been the player most likely to make something happen for Mikel Arteta’s side and his recent scoring run had made his a regular in this list.

But back-to-back defeats in the Midlands to Wolves and Villa over recent days have seen him slip down the ranking to seventh.

Bukayo Saka is foiled by Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez during a frustrating result

6. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (New Entry)

Everton’s 95th-minute equaliser at Old Trafford, scored by Calvert-Lewin, could well have settled the Premier League title race in Man City’s favour.

Calvert-Lewin is enjoying a superb season and is certainly in England contention for the summer but he’d gone a few league games without finding the net.

That drought is well and truly over. He scored in Everton’s win at Leeds before scoring one and setting up another against United, thus returning to our top 10.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin slides in deep into stoppage time to score a crucial goal in the title race

5 . Patrick Bamford (Up three)

There’s a growing conversation around whether Bamford should be in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the summer as well – and rightly so.

The Leeds striker has defied his many doubters to produce some sensational form of late and is one of the hottest strikers in the division.

He made it two goals and three assists in the space of three games with an opportunistic finish in Monday night’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, making it 12 for the season.

Patrick Bamford shows great anticipation to score for Leeds against Crystal Palace on Monday

4. John Stones (Down two)

The fact John Stones has dropped two spots isn’t at all because he played badly in the win at Liverpool – quite the opposite – but more to make room for others who impressed more.

Stones kept Liverpool at bay adeptly in partnership with Ruben Dias as City proved exactly why they’re considered favourites to regain the title.

It came in front of Southgate as well and Stones will almost certainly return to the England team next month.

John Stones was an assured presence at the back for Man City as they thrashed Liverpool

3. Phil Foden (New Entry)

Here was yet more irrefutable evidence that Foden is going to be a world class player.

The 20-year-old ran the show for City at Anfield, skipping past Liverpool defenders as though they weren’t there before setting up a goal for Ilkay Gundogan and smashing home a spectacular goal of his own.

That’s 10 goals and six assists for the season now and Pep Guardiola was talking about how Foden will get even better.

Phil Foden showed what a class act he is with a stunning performance against Liverpool

2. Bruno Fernandes (Up one)

Another regular in the Power Rankings, Fernandes keeps a high position after scoring a beautiful goal from outside the box against Everton.

Of course, United dropped two vital points in their bid to win a first league title since 2013 but Fernandes once again couldn’t be faulted for his performance.

That’s 18 goals and 12 assists for the season now – astonishing returns.

Bruno Fernandes came up with another spectacular intervention for United against Everton

1. Ilkay Gundogan (No change) 

He topped the Power Rankings last time and there’s absolutely no reason to budge him after a brilliant display at Anfield.

Gundogan is in the form of his life and making vital contributions as Guardiola’s team push on at the top.

Two goals in the second-half against Liverpool atoned for a skied penalty in a ruthless all-round display.

Another classy performance from Ilkay Gundogan, who scored twice in Man City’s win