Written by Samuel Brady
Sub-edited by Cameron Winstanley
Hello and welcome to my Premier League team of the week for the weekend just gone. I have gone through and analysed this weeks top performers for each position, in my opinion, and decided to go for a 4-4-2 formation this week. Let me know your thoughts and who would you keep and swap?
GK: Sam Johnstone (West Brom)
Despite their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone put in an outstanding performance to deny United time after time. United ultimately won the game when Bruno Fernandes scored a re-taken penalty, after the first was saved by Johnstone, who was off his line. Johnstone after the game hit out at Fernandes’ penalty saying “a striker shouldn’t be able to hop, skip and jump” before taking a penalty kick as he felt it gave Fernandes an unfair advantage. Nevertheless, it was a very impressive display from Johnstone, who was formerly a United player from 2011 to 2018.
Embed from Getty ImagesRB: Serge Aurier (Tottenham)
Serge Aurier has had a topsy-turvy Spurs career to say the least. Often criticised for this rash decision making and often clumsy defending, his Spurs career was taking a back seat with the arrival and form of Matt Doherty. But due to the Irishman missing out against Manchester City, it was a chance for Aurier to step up his game. He dually delivered and was praised for his solid defensive output against a strong City attack.
CB: Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham)
Angelo Ogbonna was key to West Ham’s narrow 1-0 win over strugglers Sheffield United. The Italian was first to pretty much everything throughout the game, which now see’s West Ham register back-to-back clean sheets in the league. Ogbonna has been a main stay in the Hammers defence and his form is showing just how solid David Moyes has got the Hammers playing.
CB: Ben Mee (Burnley)
Burnley got their first win of the season as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Turf Moor. Pivotal to their win and their recent back-to-back clean sheets has been the return of captain Ben Mee. The win was Mee’s 50th in the Premier League and in doing so has become the first ever Burnley player to reach the feat. In the two starts Mee has made this season, Burnley have kept two clean sheets, a stat which highlights just how crucial he is to Burnley’s defensive line and ultimately will be vital for helping the Clarets try and upturn their slow start to the campaign.
LB: Solly March (Brighton)
Solly March’s curler late on against Aston Villa secured Brighton’s first win at Villa Park since 1980. As well as the wing-back’s goal he put on a solid display for the Seagulls having won possession back more times than any other player (10), four tackles, four clearances and one interception. March’s performance was nearly tainted by a potential penalty given against him in stoppage time, although it was overturned by referee Michael Oliver after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Embed from Getty ImagesRM: Theo Walcott (Southampton)
Theo Walcott rolled back the years as he scored his first Southampton goal since December 2005 in the Saints 1-1 draw with Wolves on Monday night. After the game Walcott revealed he feels “like a kid again” and it’s clear to see why as the winger looks to be finally enjoying his football again after a few tough years at both Everton and Arsenal. Walcott’s goal also means he has now scored in 14 consecutive PL seasons.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham)
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been a revelation at Spurs following his summer move from Southampton. The Danish midfielder has been a key asset for boss Jose Mourinho as the type of hardworking and defensively able middleman that is often associated with Mourinho teams of the past. Hojbjerg covered more ground than any other player (11km) in Spurs 2-0 win over Manchester City including seven ball recoveries, five tackles, two clearances and 48 touches. Hojbjerg is proving pivotal to Mourinho’s success so far this season.
CM: N’golo Kante (Chelsea)
N’golo Kante put in a captain’s performance for Chelsea in their comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle. The World Cup winner finished the match with an 89% pass accuracy rate, one key pass, three interceptions, four tackles, two clearances and four ground duels won. Kante’s performance wasn’t necessarily a headline grabber, but led by example and proved his experience for a team which underwent huge changes in the summer.
LM: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Diogo Jota couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to his Liverpool career. With his £40m price tag, the Reds were labelled with overspending for a player of his ability, who had shown glimpses of his talent with Wolves. Jota scored his sixth goal in his last five Liverpool games in their 3-0 demolition of Leicester on Sunday.
Embed from Getty ImagesST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 10th goal of the season in Everton’s 3-2 win against Fulham, a goal which sends him top of the PL goal scorer’s chart. Everton’s win was a vital one having stuttered of late following their fast start this season under Carlo Ancelotti and Calvert-Lewin once against proved crucial to his team, opening the scoring after just 42 seconds before adding his second close to half time. Calvert-Lewin also registered a 100% shot accuracy including 10 aerial duels won.
ST: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Arguably the most complete player in the league at present, Harry Kane put in a scintillating performance as Spurs saw off Manchester City by two goals to nil, a result which sends them top of the league. Kane has now made nine PL assists this season, four more than any other player, as well as buying into Jose Mourinho’s workman like and dogged defensive style tactics having covered 10.8km throughout the game including 22 touches in his own half. If Kane and his teammates can carry on meeting the demands of Mourinho and the trophy hungry Spurs fans it could put Tottenham as potential title front runners.
Embed from Getty Images
