Premier League Top Five, Round 25: Superstar Salah smashes Saints
Liverpool were already 2-0 up and cruising when Mohamed Salah burst into life to score a further two goals, first by delightfully dinking the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper and then smuggling a finish into the corner from close range.
It wasn't just his two-goal tally which made him stand out, however, as he contributed in other areas too, completing four dribbles, sending 12 passes into the final third, and touching the ball 11 times inside the Southampton box.
He probably should have recorded an assist also as he created two 'big' chances for team-mates which were squandered.
West Ham squandered a 3-1 lead to eventually draw with Brighton, which is unfortunate for Robert Snodgrass especially as he was excellent for the hosts, scoring two and assisting another.
His assist came first and it was via a peach of a delivery from a free-kick down the left wing which was slid home by Issa Diop.
Now, there was an element of fortune for both his goals as both were deflected into the net by Brighton defenders, but on each occasion the ball was struck superbly, initially from inside the box and then from 25 yards. He worked hard, too, making seven ball recoveries.
Frank Lampard may not have got the new star striker he wanted in January, but who needs one when your central defender gets among the goals, eh?
Chelsea eventually earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw away at Leicester, with Antonio Rudiger proving himself to be the two-goal hero. Both were headers, with the first being glanced down from close range and the second being looped high into the top corner.
He did his usual duties effectively, too, winning the majority of his duels and aerial duels, as well as making 11 ball recoveries.
Hugo Lloris was involved in a lot of the drama in Tottenham's 2-0 win over Manchester City.
His clean sheet was certainly earned, as he got down low to save a penalty from Ilkay Gundogan before speeding out from his goal to close down Raheem Sterling who was attempting to score the rebound.
The Frenchman may have been a tad fortunate not to give away another penalty as the two came together, but he showed superb agility to get down and up so quickly. In total, he made five saves, including a cracker to with his foot to deny Sergio Aguero.
Bournemouth secured a potentially vital three points at home to Villa after winning 2-1, with Philip Billing emerging as the man of the match. It would be his instinctual finish inside the box with his left foot into the bottom corner which would give the hosts the lead, and from then one he helped protect it with a solid performance in midfield.
He won 16/22 duels which was more than anyone else in the Premier League this weekend, and also made eight clearances.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Rudiger took most of the goalscoring defender headlines this weekend but Yerry Mina (8.6) was among the goals, too, scoring two as Everton came back from two goals down to defeat Watford 3-2.
ROUND TO FORGET
Jack Stephens (4.8) only won one tackle the whole game in Southampton's 4-0 defeat to Liverpool, and he was extremely lucky not to concede a penalty and be sent off after appearing to impede Robert Firmino, who looked poised to score from a yard out.