Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City, Reading, Manchester United, and Newcastle United players all feature in our best XI from the weekend’s action. Who is in yours?
Well it’s that time again when we announce the Here is the City ‘Team of the Weekend’. This weekend has seen the highest competition for places in the side and as a result many credible candidates have unfortunately missed out.
Based on the high volume of quality central midfield performances I’ve opted for a Diamond formation in the midfield, perhaps a little unfair on Stoke’s Michael Kightly and Liverpool’s Suso, both Wingers who deserve a mention. Hope you enjoy my choices and i look forward to hearing what you think!
GK: Petr Cech – The Chelsea goalkeeper has had many question his ability to cut it at the highest level in the last year, but pulled out an outstanding goalkeeping performance against Arsenal with two excellent point blank saves in particular. Unlucky to concede an unstoppable strike.
Unlucky to miss out: Steve Harper
RB: Andre Wisdom – The Liverpool youngster has maybe passed under the radar following the emergence of fellow academy stars Suso, Sterling and Pacheco. That is largely unfair on the out of position 19 year old who is more comfortable at centre back. His versatility has played to his advantage in progressing to the first team and a solid defensively display against Norwich secured his spot.
Unlucky to miss out: Branislav Ivanovic
CB: William Gallas – Gallas won’t have made the headlines for his part in Spurs’ excellent win against Man Utd, but he fully deserves credit for his contribution. As the younger inexperienced defenders beside him began to falter, the Frenchman stayed calm and composed to keep out a barrage of United attacks.
Unlucky to miss out: Phil Jagielka
CB: Robert Huth – A colossus at the heart of Stoke’s central defence, the German truly is one of the Premier League’s most underrated players. Aerially dominant as always and held off the power of Danny Graham superbly. Alongside Ryan Shawcross, the pair made sure that Swansea were restrained from applying their free scoring capabilities.
Unlucky to miss out: Titus Bramble
LB: Nicky Shorey – Not many have handled the unenviable task of keeping Ben Arfa quiet, but Shorey made sure the Frenchman had no luck down his wing. Defensively solidarity combined with attacking support for Jobi McAnuff and Shorey is finally showing traits of the player he was in his initial spell at the Madjeski Stadium, which will please Reading fans.
Unlucky to miss out: Jan Vertonghen
DM: Steven N’Zonzi – With all respect to Stoke, how N’Zonzi didn’t end up at a big club in the top flight this summer, I do not know. Continued to show the physical dominance we come to expect from the midfielder, and Stoke. That Swansea struggled to implement their attacking game, largely thanks to the midfielder, is the biggest compliment you can give N’Zonzi.
Unlucky to miss out: Sandro
CM: Joe Allen – Whilst Sahin and Gerrard will gain the plaudits for grabbing a goal each in the mauling of Norwich, Allen grabbed my attention as he continued his excellent start to life at Liverpool with yet another masterclass in how to keep and work possession. Dictated the play for Liverpool and passed rings around a Norwich midfield that has been performing well so far this season.
Unlucky to miss out: James Morrison
CM: Paul Scholes – Hugely unlucky to be on the losing team after yet another classy performance from the 37 year old as he continues to ignore Old father time’s calls. His passing was accurate but at the same time probing and a pass success rate of 91%, when a large proportion were forward passes, is impressive.
Unlucky to miss out: Nuri Sahin
AM: Juan Mata – Ran the show in Chelsea’s midfield with his beautiful passing range and movement off the ball to create space. May have been a large helping from Lady Luck for his goal, but it was thoroughly deserved for the afternoons efforts. From a personal point of view may have also been happy to outshine teammate Eden Hazard.
Unlucky to miss out: David Silva
ST: Luis Suarez: At last the controversial Uruguayan has stuck two fingers up at the critics who say he’s not a strong enough goalscorer, having tucked away a delightful hat-trick. Showed with his assist for Sahin that he puts team before self also and tormented the Norwich defence all day long. Leon Barnett and Michael Turner will be having nightmares for days to come.
Unlucky to miss out: Peter Crouch
ST: Ba: A fantastic weekend for strikers, but I’ve chosen Demba Ba ahead of Jelavic and Crouch based on his all round work rate and stunning first goal. Said to be unhappy at Newcastle, it doesn’t appear to be showing in his game. Papiss Demba Cisse will be appreciative for the distraction from his own form such has been Ba’s quality this season so far.
Unlucky to miss out: Nikica Jelavic
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