Premier League form rankings: Two new faces in top five but record-breaker Traore retains lead

After eight gameweeks in the space of 34 days the Premier League is long overdue a rest, with FA Cup action taking centre stage this weekend.

It seems like a good moment to address the player form rankings following a hectic schedule over Christmas, with the following navigating a pretty ludicrous number of matches the best in that time.

10. James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) - 7.47 weighted form rating*

In at ten, Ward-Prowse makes the leaderboard for the first time this season, climbing ten places in part at least to his performance in Saints' win over Tottenham on New Year's Day. The 25-year-old is being asked to carry out a more defensive role than he has in the past but has adapted superbly, making a massive nine tackles against Spurs to match the tally he managed in victory over Chelsea a week previous.

9. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) - 7.48

The highest climber this time around having dropped out of the rankings following an uncharacteristically poor performance at Watford, Grealish made amends and then some in a crucial win over Burnley. The Villa skipper notched an excellent sixth league goal of the season and would have had a seventh but for the most marginal of offside decisions, while playing a pivotal role in Wesley's opener.

8. Djibril Sidibe (Everton) - 7.56

Climbing one place despite his rating dropping ever so slightly, it was another promising performance from Sidibe against Manchester City. The Frenchman has impressed in attack to register four assists in his last nine appearances but made a crucial last man tackle against the champions, which was one of five in total.

7. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.56

Down four places following a routine win over Sheffield United, Alexander-Arnold was untested defensively but didn't have his usual creative impact on the game.

6. Harry Kane (Tottenham) - 7.62

Falling one place, Kane is likely to be making his last appearance in these rankings for some time. The striker was unable to breach a resolute Southampton defence - legally at least - and was forced off with a hamstring injury having steered home from an offside position in the second half.

5. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) - 7.71

It's testament to the Brazilian's talent that when such a talented player like Sergio Aguero suffers an injury there is very little panic at Manchester City. Initially starting in the Argentine's absence, Jesus returned to the side against Everton despite his teammate having recovered and more than justified his selection with a match-winning brace. The 22-year-old could easily have had more from eight attempts but now has five goals in his last five league starts.

4. Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 7.82

A non-mover this week despite scoring in back-to-back appearances, Mane is having a hand in at least one goal in close to every game he starts this season. The Senegalese international notched his 11th league goal of the campaign and has a further six assists to his name.

3. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 8.04

Dropping one place, De Bruyne suffered the rare embarassment by his standards of failing to score or register an assist as City secured a narrow victory over Everton.

2. Emiliano Buendia (Norwich) - 8.37

While his side look in deep trouble, Buendia has been outstanding over the past month and will surely remain a top-flight player regardless of whether the Canaries pull off a great escape or not. The Argentine registered his seventh assist of the season on New Year's day and that total is no fluke having created 31 chances over his last six appearances, as well as completing 23 dribbles and 22 tackles. He's a new qualifier this week having been dropped for three matches starting at the end of November and the youngster has returned in sensational form.

1. Adama Traore (Wolves) - 8.49

The Wolves winger retains top spot owing to his quite frankly freakish dribbling ability. Traore completed an all-time Premier League record of 16 dribbles in a single game against Watford, albeit in vein in a 2-1 defeat to make up for a meagre six against Liverpool (having come on in the 58th minute!)