Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Fulham, Southampton, and Liverpool players all feature in our team of the weekend.
We have seen all the performances and analysed the highlights and dodgy decisions, but who were the best players in each position this week? Connor Jipps presents his team of the week.
GK: Brad Friedel – Once again Friedel continued to roll back the years with a fantastic display that will almost certainly keep Lloris out of the side for yet another few matches. Excellent saves from Clint Hill and Junior Hoilett provided the platform for Spurs to come from behind and snatch victory.
Unlucky to miss out: Simon Mignolet
RB: Rafael – The Brazilian is arguably one of the most inconsistent players in the league, capable of going from hero to zero in 60 seconds. Luckily for United, Rafael was in the mood and his goal alone was worthy of selection for this team.
Unlucky to miss out: Carl Jenkinson
CB: Jan Vertonghen – Many Spurs fans would have been worried about finding a replacement for Ledley King but the Belgian’s display against QPR showed White Hart Lane’s faithful need fear not. Composed on the ball and not afraid to attack. His tackle on Hoilett in particular was outstanding with QPR looking certain to score.
Unlucky to miss out: Phil Jagielka
CB: Maya Yoshida – Although many will not have heard of Yoshida before this year, the defender showed against Villa potential qualities of a fantastic centre half. Dominated aerially against the dangerous duo of Bent and Benteke and played the ball out well. A perfect fit for Southapton’s exciting style of football.
Unlucky to miss out: Ryan Shawcross
LB: Leighton Baines – It’s almost becoming a cliche to say it but Baines really is hugely unfortunate to be playing at the same time as Ashley Cole, otherwise he’d be a globally recognised international star in my opinion. Another solid display at Swansea displaying the usual concoction of attacking intensity and defensive awareness.
Unlucky to miss out: Ashley Cole
WG: Adam Lallana – Having been tipped as many pundits player to watch out for, Lallana had found the start to his Premier League career fairly tough having faced the two Manchester clubs and Arsenal in three of the first four games. However he bounced back well to put in an exciting performance against Villa and was influential throughout.
Unlucky to miss out: Juan Mata
CM: Marouane Fellaini – We’re fast running out of superlatives for Everton’s Belgian maestro after yet another dominating display, this time against Swansea who were given a footballing lesson. Another goal to his tally and two assists to his name, alongside a performance of defensive indestructability, will add yet more to his potential price tag.
Unlucky to miss out: James Morrison
CM: Steven Gerrard – His abilities may be declining as age begins to catch up with Stevie G but Liverpool can always rely on their talismanic skipper to step up in the big games. Hugely unlucky to be on the losing side having embarrassed Man United’s midfield with powerful running and precision passing reminiscent of his glory days.
Unlucky to miss out: Kevin Nolan
WG: Hatem Ben Arfa – A player who couldn’t be any further from the mould we expect of Premier League players, yet it just works. At Newcastle he seems to have found equilibrium with a club that design their tactics around the attacker. Against Norwich he was his usual handful and just oozed class on another level to anyone else on the pitch.
Unlucky to miss out: Raheem Sterling
AM: Dimitar Berbatov – Employed as a support striker to Hugo Rodallega, the Bulgarian continued to impress for new club Fulham and earns a place in the team despite failing to add to his goal tally. First touch was excellent and always looked at ease. His ball for Rodallega was just a smidgen of what the striker can do, and Fulham fans appear to have exciting times ahead.
Unlucky to miss out: Santi Cazorla
ST: Rickie Lambert – Lambert has scored goals in League 2, League 1 and the Championship on a regular basis and it now looks as if you can soon add the Premier League to that list. Doesn’t possess lightning speed but holds the ball off well and his instinctive finishing is outstanding. Another 2 goals to Lamberts tally will have done the strikers confidence no end of good.
Unlucky to miss out: Romelu Lukaku
image: © nicksarebi
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