After two weeks off, I gladly report back to you with the team of the weekend as the Premier League returned with yet another series of epic games. As usual I’ve tried to represent as many players from various sides as possible so if your clubs striker or defender isn’t in, please don’t be offended and I’d love to hear why they should’ve been in the comments box below.
I’ve opted with a 4-4-1-1 system for this weeks selections mainly in part down to the excellence of the players who shone between the midfield and striker such as Rooney managed to do with great effect. Anyway time to stop wittering and reveal who’s made it this week. Enjoy.
GK: Brad Guzan – Despite being on the losing side as Villa toiled to a 1-0 loss at Fulham, Guzan deserves his place on the volume of saves made alone. With Berbatov running the Villa defence ragged, the American had to be alert all day to keep the deficit down to just one. In such form it’s hard to see Given getting back into Lambert’s team.
Unlucky to miss out: Alex McCarthy
RB: Glen Johnson – Whilst his England rival Kyle Walker,failed to impress at White Hart Lane on Saturday, Johnson justified Hodgson’s international faith with an assured display against Reading. With little to do defensively, much license was afforded for the roving full back to push forward and he did with continuous danger.
Unlucky to miss out: Russell Martin
CB: Michael Turner – Keeping a clean sheet against the rapidly improving Arsenal looked a tough task on paper but Norwich’s defence excellently kept the Gunners out on Saturday. A large part of the credit must go to Turner who marshalled the Norwich defence excellently and kept Giroud, Podolski and Co at bay. A complete contrast to previous performances this season.
Unlucky to miss out: Graham McAuley
CB: Fabricio Coloccini – The Argentinians return to the side may have been spoilt by a late Sunderland equaliser, but the performance of Coloccini will have been of great pleasure to the Toon Army. Confident in defence and composed throughout, Fabricio is fast establishing his place as one of the Premier Leagues finest.
Unlucky to miss out: Phil Jagielka
LB: Javier Garrido – Like Turner, Garrido played a large part in the victory over Arsenal and thoroughly deserves his place on the team of the weekend. Strong in defence and attack, the former Man City man demonstrates his abilities to great effect with an energetic performance displaying a much needed maturity for the Canaries.
Unlucky to miss out: John Arne Riise
WG: Aaron Lennon – Lennon’s form has been excellent this season and it continued once again with a frustratingly persistent performance against arguably one of the worlds best left backs. The winger got behind Ashley Cole time after time and could count himself unlucky to be on the losing side.
Unlucky to miss out: Wayne Routledge
CM: Mark Noble – Born and bred in East London, Mark Noble has displayed over the years a passion in his belly that not many can match. When he applies such passion with his underrated talent you get a performance like we saw against Southampton. Goals came from a fortunate free kick and a penalty but were just a small part of his game, shielding the Hammers defence and dominating and limiting Southampton’s attacking threat.
Unlucky to miss out: John Obi Mikel
CM: Jonathan De Guzman – Perhaps one that fell under the radar this week but De Guzman produced a fine display against Wigan this weekend to thoroughly deserve his place. The on-loan Villarreal man has proven a strong signing for the Swans and continued to impress against the Latics with two assists that ultimately set Wigan up for all three points.
Unlucky to miss out: Alex Tettey
WG: Juan Mata – With the arrivals of £30 million men Oscar and Eden Hazard, Juan Mata initially slipped under the radar but it seems to have played to Chelsea’s advantage greatly. The start of the season has seen Mata’s best form in a Chelsea shirt, and against Spurs the Spaniard was simply unplayable chipping in with two goals and a perfectly weighted assist for Sturridge.
Unlucky to miss out: Michael Kightly
SS: Wayne Rooney – Hyped up before the game – in the knowledge ‘Wazza’ was in with a chance of hitting his 200th club goal – Rooney disastrously headed into the wrong net to give the lead to Stoke. However far from wallow, the striker kicked himself into gear and produced an excellent display that included two goals to help him break beyond the 200 goal mark. England fans will wonder why he can’t replicate such form to the international stage.
Unlucky to miss out: Eden Hazard
ST: Edin Dzeko – It seems ludicrous to include a player in the team of the weekend who has played less than twenty minutes but such was Dzeko’s strike rate in front of goal, turning Man City’s game against West Brom on its head, that it’s hard to exclude. Entering the fray on the 79th minute, Dzeko’s two late goals ensured City of an extremely valuable three points.
Unlucky to miss out: Jermain Defoe
Let me know what you think!
image: © Ronnie Macdonal
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