In Focus: The Premier League stars who lit up Matchday 13

Another action-packed weekend of Premier League football ended with just two points separating Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool at the top.

Elsewhere, the Steven Gerrard revolution continued at Aston Villa, Arsenal returned to winning ways and Leicester looked back to their free-flowing best.

We pick out the five stars who lit up Matchday 13 in England’s top flight.

Bukayo Saka

After seeing Arsenal’s unbeaten run come to an end against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta got the response he was hoping for on Saturday as the Gunners ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Newcastle.

No one was more involved than Bukayo Saka, who set the hosts on their way to victory with an influential display.

Having gone close earlier in the game following a sublime piece of skill, the England international opened the scoring in the 56th minute as he combined with Emile Smith Rowe and Nuno Tavares before finishing from a tight angle.

The 20-year-old winger's joy was short-lived as he limped off eight minutes later — but he had already shown exactly what he brings to the table. 

Diogo Jota

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have grabbed the headlines recently but it was Diogo Jota who made the difference for Liverpool.

The Portuguese scored the opening two goals as they ran out 4-0 winners over Southampton. And with Chelsea going on to drop points the following day, Saturday's victory saw the Reds reduce the gap at the top to just two.

Jota, 24, slid in to divert Andy Robertson’s cutback inside two minutes before he was in the perfect position to tuck Salah’s cross into the net after 32 minutes. 

Hailed as the "perfect signing" by Jurgen Klopp following the game, Jota is currently level with Mane in the Premier League goalscoring charts with seven strikes. 

And with Roberto Firmino still injured, Jota continues to prove he has what it takes to spearhead Liverpool’s devastating front three.

John McGinn

Villa put in an outstanding away performance in a 2-1 win to end Crystal Palace’s unbeaten record at Selhurst Park this season.

Gerrard’s impact of making the Villans resolute but a threat going forward was typified by the performance of John McGinn, who made a significant impact at both ends of the pitch. 

The 27-year-old midfielder did not stop running as his tireless efforts alongside Marvelous Nakamba and Jacob Ramsey prevented the in-form Eagles from posing any real threat.

He went close with an effort in the first half before sealing the victory late on with a curling effort after some good work from Emi Buendia and Anwar El Ghazi.

With seven tackles and two possessions won, McGinn looks set to have an all-round impact under Gerrard.

James Maddison

It has been a difficult campaign for James Maddison and for Leicester but the Englishman put in arguably his best display of the season in a 4-2 victory over Watford at a snowy King Power Stadium.

Buoyed by scoring just his second of the season against Legia Warsaw, Maddison was on the scoresheet after 16 minutes.

The 25-year-old playmaker took advantage of some hesitant Watford defending to fire home convincingly and he went on to set up two Jamie Vardy goals before the break.

It was the perfect response from Maddison after he was left out by Brendan Rodgers against Chelsea.

The Foxes boss said: "You see his quality when he’s running and working and creating, he gives the team confidence.

"It’s not about one player, it’s about the team, but he was excellent."

Ilkay Gundogan

With 17 strikes, Ilkay Gundogan was Manchester City’s unexpected top scorer last season — but he has not bulged the net as regularly this term. 

The German international, 31, has played a more conservative role but pulled the strings during a 2-1 victory over West Ham. 

And he gave a reminder of last season's finishing when he guided home Riyad Mahrez’s deflected cross from close range.

Gundogan’s tally of four shots was better than any of his team-mates could muster, as was his four chances created as he got a light touch before Fernandinho’s game-sealing strike to earn an assist.

With City still without a striker, Gundogan coming to the fore in front of goal might be just what Pep Guardiola needs going into the busy festive period. 

Other standout performers

Gabriel (Arsenal), Jose Sa (Wolves), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)