Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
Jack BUTLAND – Goalkeeper (Stoke City)
Stoke’s keeper made six major saves to deny Newcastle on every attempt they could muster. Butland was under pressure for the majority of the game, seeing off 15 shots throughout the 0-0 draw at St James’ Park. He was beaten once, in the 28th minute when Aleksandar Mitrović hit the right-hand post with a headed effort, but for Butland’s sake the ball did not end up in the net and his clean-sheet remained intact.
Cédric SOARES – Right-back (Southampton)
Soares’ display at right-back for Southampton in their 2-0 win at home over Bournemouth was not anything mindblowing, but was enough to earn selection in the Team of the Week for the 24-year-old. Soares got forward at times and provided four crosses, as well as winning 100% of attempted tackles. He had little trouble dealing with Bournemouth’s attacking movement and was a key contributor to the clean-sheet.
Laurent KOSCIELNY – Centre-back (Arsenal)
For the second consecutive week we see the same two central-defenders named for our best XI. The Frenchman stood tall as ever on the weekend, scoring Arsenal’s second goal in the 3-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium in Wales. The goal was not without controversy, but it stood and somewhat secured the result for the Gunners who sit second, trailing Manchester City on goal difference. Koscielny’s defensive mind made him able to spare the blushes of fellow centre-back Per Mertesacker on numerous occasions and maintained a clean sheet for his goalkeeper Petr Čech.
Nicolás OTAMENDI – Centre-back (Manchester City)
His first goal for City was scored via a thumping header from the centre of the box, powering the ball into the top right corner after a Kevin De Bruyne cross. The Sky Blues managed to scrape through with a 2-1 win over Norwich City at The Emirates thanks to an 89th minute penalty, however, the defence looked solid throughout and were not at fault for the opposition’s goal, which can only be describe as a howler from goalkeeper Joe Hart, who dropped andeasy take of a non-threatening cross and it was tapped-in by Cameron Jerome. Otamendi passed at 91% accuracy and won five out of six tackles, all important in protecting his net. The Argentine’s value to Manchester City has definitely gone under-appreciated until recent weeks.
Danny ROSE – Left-back (Tottenham)
Rose was among the best on-field for Spurs in their 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at White Heart Lane. His two assists in the first-half and overall good contribution to setting pushed Tottenham to within one point of the top four. Rose only conceded one foul throughout the match, replaced in the 82nd minute by 22-year-old Welsh defender Ben Davies.
Dele ALLI – Midfielder (Tottenham)
It was just six months ago that Dele Alli was playing in the third-tier of English football, now he is scoring goals in the Premier League for a club within reach of the top four. The 19-year-old certainly did not look out of place, controlling the ball and powering the volley into the bottom corner of the net in the 46th minute. Tottenham defeated Aston Villa 3-1 on Monday night and the former MK Dons man played a key role, proving he has what it takes to be successful in one of the worlds best competitions.
Let’s take another look at Deli Alli’s goal from last night – https://t.co/K1Bh7WMZ8Z
— uMAXit Football (@uMAXitFootball) November 3, 2015
Steven DAVIS – Midfielder (Southampton)
The Southampton midfielder found the net in his side’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth, passing and moving with incredible accuracy. His goal in the 31st minute was powered from close-range into the top right corner and when the lead was extended just five minutes later, the result never looked in doubt. Davis’ 97% passing accuracy significantly contributed to the victory and his defensive work rate secured the clean-sheet. A good all round performance.
Riyad MAHREZ– Midfielder (Leicester City)
A regular feature in Outside90’s Team of the Week this year is getting just better and better. Once again the midfielder scored twice on the weekend, seven minutes apart, with two extremely well taken goals. His ability to get forward and move around the pitch with such ease left West Bromwich Albion scratching their heads on ways to stop his impact. Leicester finished the match 3-2 winners away from home with the Premier Leagues leading hitman, Jamie Vardy, scoring the third for the Foxes.
Riyad Mahrez first goal today vs West Brom. Quality finish. #LCFC @Mahrez22 ?? https://t.co/jBeqfR7Ffq — Lets Rant LCFC (@LetsRantLcfc) October 31, 2015
Philippe COUTINHO– Midfielder (Liverpool)
The Brazilian wizard was back to his best in a must win game for Liverpool. The Reds came from a goal down to defeat champions Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, mounting more pressure on the champions and José Mourinho. Coutinho scored on the stroke of halftime to level the scores and then again in the 74th minute. Both of his goals were taken from the top of the penalty area and finished with aplomb. The 23-year-old continued to push until the final whistle and was the difference between the two sides.
Arouna KONÉ – Attacking-midfielder – Everton
Sunderland had no answers for Koné, his movement was exceptional and it equaled havoc for the defenders. His man-of-the-match performance was perfectly rounded, scoring three goals, providing one assist and passing at 89% accuracy. Everton were eventual 6-2 winners over the struggling Black Cats at Goodison Park and now sit ninth in the Premier League. After being tipped to struggle this season, Koné has been a breathe of fresh air, a player at a higher level than what would usually be expected from him.
Arouna Kone’s game by numbers vs. Sunderland: 84% pass acc 3 shots 3 chances created 3 goals 1 assist Match ball. pic.twitter.com/KucrmquXhq
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 1, 2015
Odion IGHALO – Striker – Watford
The 26-year-old Nigerian is not someone you would have expected to see in the Team of the Week, but having said that, he is not exactly someone you would expect to see at the top of the Premier League scorers list. Ighalo is sitting third on seven goals – behind only Leicester duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. A double on the weekend saw newly promoted Watford defeat high-flyers West Ham United at Vicarage Road, sending them into 11th. His 39 and 48th minute strikes the difference in the 2-0 victory. Despite scoring in lucky circumstances, Ighalo was in the right place at the right time to score his first, the second also a stroke of luck but was calm and composed to find the top left.
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