Champs and Chumps: Toure's power show, Gerrard's costly slip and Adebayor's wild elbow #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @i_amreginaldjr

YAYA TOURE was the central figure once again as Manchester City breathed life into their title hopes with victory over Crystal Palace. Ben Foster produced a magnificent point-blank save for West Brom during their win over West Ham while Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor was lucky to escape unpunished after elbowing Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross flush in the face.

Yaya Toure was at his imperious best for Manchester City[GETTY]

It was another defining weekend in the Premier League especially as Chelsea blew the title race wide open with victory over Liverpool.

Express Sport dissects the key talking points and names the champs and chumps.

Champs

Best goal

Jonjo Shelvey rivalled Wayne Rooney with his spectacular strike for Swansea. A poor clearance from Ron Vlaar fell straight to Shelvey. His first touch was impeccable as he chested the ball down before dispatching a swerving volley from inside the centre circle into the top corner of the net over the head of the scampering Brad Guzan. A sure-fire candidate for goal of the season!

Best individual performance

How many times have we marvelled at Toure's displays for City this season? The midfield powerhouse took the game by the scruff of the neck at Selhurst Park. His cross for Edin Dzeko's opener was sumptuous and he got on the scoresheet himself with a thumping finish. It's no surprise he was on the shortlist for player of the season!

Best save

Foster was in the right place at the right time to pull off a stunning save. Andy Carroll must have thought he scored when he flashed a header goal wards, but Foster flung himself to the right to thwart the Hammers frontman. The Baggies were desperate for a win and in the context of their season, it was a vital save.

Steven Gerrard rues his costly mistake [GETTY]

Chumps

Worst tackle

Adebayor could have quite seen red after elbowing Shawcross flush in the face. He didn't seem to have his eye on the ball and fortunately for him, the referee missed it. It was an unsavoury incident in a game where tempers were frayed.

Daftest decision

Title showdowns are often decided on small margins and attention to detail. Gerrard was arguably naive when he conceded possession in the first half. He said after the City win that his side couldn't let things 'f****** slip now', but his slip in the first half proved costly as Demba Ba pounced on his error before he raced through on goal and slotted through the legs of Simon Mignolet to break the deadlock. A moment that could haunt Gerrard for the rest of his career.