It’s hard to keep Chelsea down at the moment. For the third week in a row it’s a Stamford Bridge player who takes the Lion of the Weekend award.

Following Frank Lampard last week, skipper John Terry was the outstanding player on view in the thrilling 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday.

The centre-half prevented The Gunners from having a serious shot on target other than their goals, while at the other end his great header from an Arjen Robben corner gave Chelsea their first equaliser after Arsenal had gone ahead early on through Thierry Henry.

"John Terry is the backbone of the Chelsea team – he showed that again against Arsenal," said an admiring Alan Mullery.

"He is as important to Chelsea as Patrick Vieira is to Arsenal or Roy Keane for Manchester United. He is the leader.

"He doesn’t just stop goals but he is a real threat at set pieces as well. His header against Arsenal means he has three Premiership goals already this season and has also scored in Europe.

"In my opinion he has been very unlucky to lose his starting place in the England team. I think he is absolutely outstanding."

Terry is now odds-on to lift the Premiership trophy at the end of the season, with Chelsea four points clear of Everton and five ahead of Arsenal.

"He has a very good chance now," says Mullery. "I thought if Arsenal had won the game on Sunday, they would have to be fancied. But Chelsea have that gap intact and they have to be favourites."

Lion of the Season - Total nominations so far *

Stewart Downing 3
Shaun Wright-Phillips 3
Michael Owen 2
John Terry 2
Ashley Cole 1
Rio Ferdinand 1
Steve Gerrard 1
David James 1
Ledley King 1
Frank Lampard
Wayne Rooney 1
Alan Smith 1

* TheFA.com selection panel this season are former England internationals: Mick Mills, Russell Osman, Paul Parker, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Mullery