Premier League Team of the Week: Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Petr Cech feature

Premier League best XI for Week 13, including Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Petr Cech.

Raheem Sterling continued his goalscoring exploits as Manchester City won to stay eight points clear at the top. Sterling scored the winner as City beat Huddersfield 2-1 on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Petr Cech helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet as the Gunners beat Burnley 1-0. The result moved Arsenal into the top four at the expense of Liverpool and Tottenham, who both drew 1-1 on Saturday.

Spurs rescued a point thanks to Harry Kane netting an equaliser against West Brom at Wembley Stadium. As he often is, Kane was the standout figure for a Tottenham team becoming increasingly reliant on their main striker.

Find out who else made the team of the week:

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech, Arsenal

It’s not often the Gunners keep clean sheets in consecutive league matches. But Cech made sure they did after refusing to be beaten at Turf Moor.

The 35-year-old saved well from a Robbie Brady free-kick. He also denied Ashley Barnes and Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Cech’s calmness and authority stood out against the Clarets, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

"Nothing Cech did was necessarily spectacular – although his save to tip Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s shot onto the post early on was excellent – but he brought stability to a defensive regularly tested in the air with deep crosses, usually to the back post in an effort to find space either side of Arsenal’s back three."

Arsenal signed Cech in 2015 hoping he would stabilise what had long been a problem position. While he’s had his issues, the veteran stopper has largely delivered.

Defender: Ben Davies, Tottenham

There’s a reason Danny Rose can’t get into the Spurs’ starting XI. It’s not because he slated the club’s recruitment policy this summer.

The form of Ben Davies is the main reason Rose is on the outside looking in. He has been consistent defensively and a useful contributor going forward.

Davies’ attacking chops were obvious against the Baggies. His low cross teed up Kane to make it 1-1.

Davies is quickly making the spot previously owned by Rose his own.

Defender: Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal

Cech was solid between the posts, but Laurent Koscielny was the rock in front of him. The French centre-back was everywhere against Burnley.

Koscielny timed most of his challenges well. He was also rarely shy about throwing himself into the fray to block shots and contest crosses in the air.

The Gunners’ back three is still built on Koscielny’s positional sense, anticipation and experience. His form will be key to Arsenal’s bid to reclaim their status as a top-four team.

Defender: Christian Kabasele, Watford

Watford continue to impress, scoring a 3-0 win away to Newcastle this week. It was a victory built as much on defensive resolve as attacking fluidity.

Christian Kabasele embodied the former quality. He was a formidable figure at the heart of the Hornets’ back three. Kabasele was swift across the deck and aggressive in the challenges.

His strength and speed kept Magpies winger Matt Ritchie and striker Joselu in check. The Watford defence has been taking shape well recently, with Kabasele proving the key figure.

Midfielder: Dusan Tadic, Southampton

The Saints have been starved for creativity this season, but Dusan Tadic finally came to the fore on Sunday. He scored and provided an assist in the 4-1 win over hapless Everton.

Those contributions confirmed Tadic’s standing as the most prolific provider of goals in the Southampton midfield during the last three years, per the Premier League:

Tadic had only scored one goal before Sunday, according to WhoScored.com. His sluggish start to this season is one reason why the Saints remain among the lowest scorers in the division.

Midfielder: Jack Cork, Burnley

They may have lost 1-0, but the Clarets actually out-passed Arsenal for large portions of the game. Jack Cork was a big reason why.

The 28-year-old was composed, skilled an intuitive on the ball. His passing was neat and efficient between the lines, helping Burnley play through the Gunners several times.

Arsenal usually boss possession, but Cork displayed the assurance and technique all capable playmakers boast. Burnley are noted for being direct, but the summer arrival of a midfielder with Cork’s quality has made the Clarets more progressive.

Midfielder: Raheem Sterling, Manchester City

Sterling has been revitalised on manager Pep Guardiola’s watch this season. His movement has become more varied, while his contributions in possession have improved.

Most of all though, the former Liverpool winger has become a more prolific goalscorer. He bagged the winner against Huddersfield when the ball deflected in off his chest.

Sure, there was an element of fortune to the goal, but the numbers prove Sterling is now a different player in front of goal, per WhoScored.com:

Earlier, Sterling won the penalty Sergio Aguero converted to help City equalise. The spot-kick was awarded after another typically swift and perceptive run into the box.

There are many stars at City, but Sterling is currently proving the most significant.

Midfielder: Marvin Zeegelaar, Watford

Dutch winger Marvin Zeegelaar took up a wing-back role against Newcastle and proceeded to expose the Magpies all game. His runs off the left flank consistently put him in behind the Newcastle defence.

As much as his pace on the flank, Zeegelaar’s delivery also caused nightmares for the home side. Zeegelaar’s smart, low pull back allowed Will Hughes to open the scoring.

Another teasing cross from the 27-year-old forced DeAndre Yedlin into an own goal.

Zeegelaar’s energy and quality made Watford’s 3-5-1-1 formation click.

Striker: Salomon Rondon, West Brom

Pace and power are at the core of Salomon Rondon’s game. Both qualities were obvious when the burly striker outmuscled Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez en route to opening the scoring at Wembley.

The Baggies are battling relegation and have interim manager Gary Megson in charge. Yet they gave Spurs all they could handle thanks largely to Rondon’s performance.

He led the line brilliantly, keeping the Tottenham defence stretched. In fact, Rondon downright bullied Spurs defenders.

Only a late miss blighted the powerhouse frontman’s day.

Next: Liverpool and Chelsea share the points: 3 things we learned

Striker: Harry Kane, Tottenham

Rondon would have been a match-winner were it not for Kane’s performance. Tottenham’s free-scoring No. 10 was a constant menace thanks to his movement and instincts.

Kane was quickest to Davies’ low cross and finished well. The England international forced several other chances due to his willingness to attack all kinds of deliveries into the box.

Ultimately, he couldn’t add to his tally. But Kane still reached a rare scoring mark in this calendar year, per Sky Sports Statto:

Kane’s form in front of goal is still going to be the main determining factor in how Spurs’ season plays out.

Striker: Charlie Austin, Southampton

No center-forward played with more strength and tenacity than Charlie Austin this weekend. He found the net twice for the Saints to cap a terrific performance.

Austin got his head to a pair of crosses to emphasize his notable power in the air. His aerial threat, ability to play with his back to goal and link with Tadic and Co. was key to Southampton’s approach.

This was classic target man stuff from Austin, who finally added the cutting edge the Saints have been missing up top this season.