Outside90’s EPL Team of the Week – Matchday 17

Outside90’s EPL Team of the Week – Matchday 17

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Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.

Robert Elliot – Goalkeeper – Newcastle United

The 29-year-old who started his career at non-league side Erith Town has become a regular fixture for Newcastle United. Despite conceding a goal in the Toon’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, Elliot has his work cut out for him and he is doing a superb job. Elliot helped Newcastle to a valuable point that sees them two points clear of the drop zone at Christmas by making six saves from Aston Villa’s seven shots on target.

Branislav Ivanovic – Right-back – Chelsea

The 31-year-old Serbian put a run of bad performances behind him by scoring Chelsea’s opening goal in their 3-1 win over Sunderland. The right-back found himself on the end of a Willian corner in just the fourth minute and headed into the top-left corner to give Chelsea a starting boost in their quest to climb back toward the top of the Premier League table. Chelsea fans will be hoping this match is not a one-off and that Ivanović can return to the form they have come to expect from the defender.

John Terry – Centre-back – Chelsea

In a match that saw champions Chelsea return to some sort of form, it was a similar story for the individuals of the side. John Terry has been struggling of late but put in a solid defensive display in a match where Sunderland had little possession (33%). The controversial Englishman won all five duels, four of which were in the air. Despite conceding in the 52nd minute from a set piece, Chelsea played with the freedom you would expect them to against the 19th-placed side and although it was not the most incredible win, it is a win that can spark them into action as the try to climb up the league table.

Per Mertesacker – Centre-back – Arsenal

Arsenal looked to be cruising to victory before Yaya Touré’s simply stunning 82nd-minute goal gave the contest a spark. However it was Mertesacker who had the last laugh. There was very little the defender could do to prevent Touré’s goal and besides that he did very little wrong. Mertesacker won a total of six duels – three of which were aerial – in Arsenal’s season-defining 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. The solid defensive display (for at least 80 minutes) leaves Arsenal two points off league leaders Leicester and four points clear of their matchday 17 opponent Manchester City as we enter the very busy festive period.

Charlie Daniels – Left-back – Bournemouth

Bournemouth made it three consecutive victories thanks to Charlie Daniels, whose late winner from the penalty spot sank West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. The 87th minute spot kick was awarded when Darren Fletcher fouled Dan Gosling in the box, in which Daniels stepped up and fired into the bottom right corner, giving Bournemouth an early Christmas present in the form of a 2-1 away win.

Alexander Tettey – Defensive-midfielder – Norwich City

The Ghana-born Norwegian international played an outstanding game in his side’s surprise 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The 29-year-old scored Norwich’s second goal in the 54th minute when he gathered a pass from Cameron Jerome, took a few paces toward goal and struck a powerful right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner. The unlikely three points for Norwich City moved them to 16th place in the Premier League, clearing them of the drop zone on Christmas day but with plenty of work to do over the busy festive period.

Andrew Surman – Defensive-midfielder – AFC Bournemouth

The South African midfielder played a vital role in Bournemouth’s third consecutive victory providing the assist for Adam Smith’s stunning opener in the 52nd minute. Surman controlled the match for Bournemouth, providing four shot assists in a game which saw Bournemouth dominate possession. Surman played 86 passes at 86% accuracy, which was vital for the Cherries when launching their attacks.

Dele Alli – Midfielder – Tottenham

Dele Alli continued his fine run of form with another impressive display in Spurs’ 2-0 win over Southampton at St. Mary’s. In what was statistically a close encounter, it was Spurs who came up trumps, thanks to Alli’s brilliance. The 19-year-old scored a goal and provided the assist for Harry Kane’s goal all within the space of three minutes in a win that sees Tottenham move into fourth place. Alli finished a cross from Kyle Walker by netting from the left hand side of the six-yard-box when just moments before his inviting through ball found the feet Harry Kane who went on to score.

Oscar – Attacking-midfielder – Chelsea

The 24-year-old Brazilian was arguably the best player on the pitch in Chelsea’s fifth victory of the campaign, winning 3-1 over Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. The departure of José Mourinho obviously did not phase Oscar, who was not afraid to test Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon. Oscar made 80 passes at 84% accuracy and won six of eight take-ons. To cap off an impressive night, Oscar scored Chelsea’s third goal in the 50th minute from the penalty spot. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can work their way back up the league table under former Socceroos’ boss Guus Hiddink, who has been appointed interim manager.

Harry Kane – Striker– Tottenham

Despite not seeing a lot of action, Spurs’ front man was clinical when he got his chance. Kane had three shots on target and one goal after calmly finishing a wonderful through ball from Dele Alli into the bottom right corner. Kane made 26 passes, won one tackle and eleven duels before he was replaced in stoppage time by Son Heung-Min. Kane was receiving a lot of criticism for his early league form but is really beginning to find the spark he became famous for in the last campaign. Kane now has nine goals for the season and will be looking to add to his tally over the festive period that has Tottenham facing Norwich, Watford and Everton.

Odion Ighalo – Striker – Watford

Ighalo took his season total to 12 goals with an impressive double against Liverpool. Watford won 3-0 at home to defeat Liverpool who seem to be stuck in a rut, brinigng Jürgen Klopp’s ‘honeymoon period’ to an end. Ighalo was on target when it mattered, finding the net in the 15th and 85th minutes. Watford made the most of the ball then they had it, holding only 35% possession for the duration of the match. Despite his statistics on the ball being dreadful, Ighalo’s double helped secure three points for Watford that sees them only one point off fourth at Christmas.

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Substitute of the Week:

Lee Chung-yong – Midfielder – Crystal Palace

Lee Chung-Yong replaced Wilfried Zaha in the 81st minute of Crystal Palace’s match against Stoke City with the scores locked at 1-1. The South Korean hit a wonderful winner with his right foot from well outside the penalty box and into the bottom left corner following a corner kick. The 88th minute strike enough to sink Stoke City at home and lift Crystal Palace into sixth spot, equal with Tottenham and Manchester United on points. Chung-Yong performance earns him our first ever ‘Substitute of the Week’ honour.

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