Juventus managed to hold onto top spot but Roma and Milan are coming up fast on the rails, as Dave Taylor selects his top XI from Week 9.
Gianluigi Donnarumma [Milan]
What a prospect and still just 17. He was tested from the first minute, dashing off his line when needed, pulling off superman saves and generally being a real force at the back. Kept his best for last as he somehow tipped away to safety a 25-yard belter from Sami Khedira. Awesome.
Nicola Maksimovic [Napoli]
Juventus managed to hold onto top spot but Roma and Milan are coming up fast on the rails, as Dave Taylor selects his top XI from Week 9.
Gianluigi Donnarumma [Milan]
What a prospect and still just 17. He was tested from the first minute, dashing off his line when needed, pulling off superman saves and generally being a real force at the back. Kept his best for last as he somehow tipped away to safety a 25-yard belter from Sami Khedira. Awesome.
Nicola Maksimovic [Napoli]
The Serbian was everywhere across the backline urging and forcing the pace and had the most touches. Kept pushing forward but never neglected his defensive duties and completed a comprehensive performance. Animating.
Alessio Romagnoli [Milan]
Forever aware of Juve’s forwards and their positioning he stepped up to the plate, on blocks, clearances and interceptions. Certainly played his part in the determined rearguard, leading the way from the centre of the defence and still only 21-year-old. Agitative.
Federico Fazio [Roma]
Never put a foot wrong, tidying up when need be, covering for a poor Juan Jesus and had a sense of positioning all the way through the game. Kept Ilija Nestorski quiet throughout and had the regular beating of him. Astonishing.
Jose Callejon [Napoli]
Gave the hosts an early warning with a terrific strike that needed a top save. He eventually gave Napoli the lead when he found space in the area to turn the ball in at the back post leaving Crotone as miserable as Salvatore Annunziata after that Jorginho miss last week. Amazing.
Federico Bernardeschi [Fiorentina]
Bossing the midfield the 22-year-old was on top of his game as he scored a brace and kept the hosts on the back foot throughout. His first goal saw him foil the offside trap before unleashing a fabulous volley while he absolutely smashed home his second. Astounding.
Manuel Locatelli [Milan]
Like an electrical spark crackling angrily from a severed cable, he was everywhere as the man of the moment. Held the reins steady in midfield before his moment of awesomeness when he fired in an absolutely, unstoppable right-footer that screamed it’s way into the back of the net. Arresting.
Mohamed Salah [Roma]
Another top performance from the Egyptian livewire, who scored the opener and produced an assist for the fourth goal. Always looking for an opening his goal saw him control Edin Dzeko’s through ball before slotting it past Josip Posavec. Appealing.
Edin Dzeko [Roma]
Seemed to pop up everywhere, laying on several key passes, scoring the third goal and producing the assist for Salah’s goal. His own goal came about after an inspired move involving Salah and Alessandro Florenzi, which finished with the Bosnian striking a low shot into the bottom corner. Accomplished.
Nikola Kalinic [Fiorentina]
A five-star performance from the Croatian hitman as he smashed home a hat trick. His first saw him get a head to a Cristian Tello cross for the equaliser. He then set up Federico Bernardeschi’s goal before two more fierce strikes capped a stunning game. Awesome.
Cyril Thereau [Udinese]
The French veteran was on form scoring a brace with his first, a penalty, scored via a cheeky chip over the ‘keeper. Continued to cause problems he was in the right place to exploit an Albano Bizzarri parry for his second. Absolute.
Special mentions: Andre Conti [Atalanta], Leandro Paredes [Roma], Felipe Anderson [Lazio], Luis Muriel [Sampdoria], Mattia Perin [Genoa].