Garth Crooks's team of the week: Rooney, Hazard, Lampard, Bellerin

Manchester United made it six straight wins in emphatic style against a struggling Liverpool, and Chelsea and Manchester City showcased their title credentials with wins.

They make up the Premier League's top three, with West Ham one place back after drawing at Sunderland, while Arsenal have lifted the Emirates' gloom with another win, this time against Newcastle.

Hull City and Leicester both have serious downward momentum after defeats but West Brom and Burnley will harbour hope of pulling away from the bottom three over Christmas after confidence-boosting wins.

Following the weekend's action, take a look at my team of the week and see if you agree with my choices.

GOALKEEPER David De Gea (Manchester United)

De Gea made eight saves against Liverpool, only once before has he made more in a Premier League game

On any other day, Burnley's Tom Heaton would be in my team of the week but the performance of David De Gea was so outstanding that I had to go for the Spaniard.

Liverpool's finishing was not of the highest order but that was not De Gea's fault. The United keeper did everything asked of him and made a string of excellent saves.

My pick of the bunch was his save from Mario Balotelli that he pushed onto the bar. Sensational.

DEFENDER Gael Clichy (Manchester City)

Manchester City have a 76% win rate in the league when Clichy has played since the start of 2013/14. In the 21 games without him it is 62%

This player is becoming a regular fixture in the Manchester City starting line-up and my team of the week for that matter.

Last season he found it rather difficult to establish himself in Manuel Pellegrini's title-winning side but, since the start of the season, he seems to have been ever present.

The former Arsenal full-back has matured into a dependable defender and gave another very professional performance in City's victory over Leicester.

DEFENDER Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Bellerin, 19, registered his first Premier League assist in the win over Newcastle

I saw this lad substituted during the first-half mauling at Stoke last week but the way he returned to face an in form Newcastle United was impressive. The young full-back showed no sign of the insecurity that seemed to engulf him at the Britannia Stadium.

On the contrary, the Spaniard was full of youthful endeavour and even provided the cross for Olivier Giroud to score his second of the match. A kid with a bright future.

DEFENDER Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City)

Only Mangala himself has made more clearances for City - with 13 against West Ham - in a game this season than the 11 he made against Leicester

He is a player who has taken his time to come to terms with the Premier League but he is starting to look like he's worth every penny Pellegrini paid for him.

The Frenchman never looked fazed by the injury and subsequent departure of Vincent Kompany in their 1-0 victory over Leicester.

In the absence of his captain, Mangala will be required to perform extra duties in order to keep City's title challenge alive.

MIDFIELDER Frank Lampard (Manchester City)

Lampard's finish against Leicester was his fourth left-footed strike in his last 71 goals in the Premier League

I still can't get my head around Chelsea releasing Frank Lampard, who via a very interesting loan arrangement finds his way to the Etihad Stadium to play for Manchester City.

They just happen to pose the biggest threat to Chelsea's title challenge and yet Jose Mourinho's judgement has not been brought into question.

Lampard's performance against a resilient Leicester was not only utterly professional but typically clinical. His goals-per-game ratio prior to leaving Stamford Bridge was once the Chelsea manager's biggest asset and could now be sufficient to cause Mourinho sleepless nights.

MIDFIELDER Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

In his last 100 games at Old Trafford, Rooney has been involved in 94 goals, scoring 66 and assisting 28

Another wonderful finish by the Manchester United captain against a Liverpool side that struggled in front of goal.

The England international has been integral to the Louis van Gaal renaissance at Old Trafford and the consistent performer in a team still in transition.

United are eight points adrift of Chelsea and still have to play them at Stamford Bridge. I can't believe I am even thinking that a serious title challenge is feasible but with so many to come back from injury anything is possible when they return.

MIDFIELDER Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Mata has scored five goals from just six shots on target in the Premier League this season

Mata ghosted into the box to score Manchester United's second goal like he was Martin Peters.

He was then instrumental in causing Liverpool all sorts of problems, not least when his pass allowed Robin van Persie to put the game well beyond the visitors.

I get the feeling that for the first time since his arrival at Old Trafford, Mata is starting to find his true form.

MIDFIELDER Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)

Cazorla has scored three goals in his last two Premier League appearances after failing to score in his previous 27

It was a weekend of Premier League action where certain players, who should have known better, refused to stay on their feet and went to ground as if pole axed.

How refreshing to see a footballer clearly demonstrate the benefits of staying on your feet in the opposition's box. Santi Cazorla didn't just fight to stay upright but went on to score a super goal from the most acute angle.

A fabulous display by an honest footballer who plays the game with integrity.

FORWARD Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)

Giroud has scored six goals in five Premier League appearances against Newcastle United - more than versus any other opponent

What a fabulous header for his first goal and what a super take for his second against Alan Pardew's Newcastle.

Since his return from injury, the Frenchman has looked impressive and appears to have given Arsenal an extra dimension. His return to first-team action has been especially timely for Arsene Wenger, who has been under enormous pressure from his own fans.

It is amazing how a couple of results can take your manager from villain to hero in a matter of days.

FORWARD Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Kane's goal at the Liberty Stadium took his tally to four in five matches away from home

Here is a player making a name for himself very quickly. He clearly has an appetite for scoring goals and could have had a hat-trick against Swansea City.

There were times in the game when it looked like it was Swansea versus Kane. He took his goal brilliantly but what really impressed me was his work rate. It's been a long time since I've seen a young player work so hard at trying to affect the outcome of a match.

I hope Spurs have him on a long contract because his stock is rising with every game.

FORWARD Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Hazard completed 34 passes in the opposition third against Hull, eight more than any other player this weekend in the Premier League

This lad has been slightly off the boil lately, with Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic taking centre stage.

However against a stubborn Hull, the Belgium international played with the same authority that caused Mourinho to say 12 months ago that he thought Hazard was the best young player in the world.

On this showing he probably still is, isn't he?