EPL – Outside90’s Team of the Week – Matchday 26

EPL – Outside90’s Team of the Week – Matchday 26

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Rob Officer
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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.

Team of the Week EPL26

Ben FOSTER – Goalkeeper – West Bromwich Albion

The West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper managed five saves to maintain a clean sheet and help his team take home three points. Foster made three stops from inside to box and two from outside in the Baggies’ 1-0 over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium in Wales. It was just Fosters fourth appearance of this campaign, in which the 32-year-old averages 4.5 saves per match.

Nathaniel CLYNE – Right-back – Liverpool

The young England right-back put on a clinic, scoring once during Liverpool’s hammering of Aston Villa at Villa Park. Clyne put Liverpool’s fifth goal into the net in the 65th minute, following-up his first shot that was saved. Clyne had sights on goal, both in the same passage of play, played 44 passes at 77% accuracy, made three crosses, won four duels and two tackles in the dominant display that outlined Liverpool’s quality when attacking. The 24-year-old was also solid in defence and made sure he got back to maintain the clean sheet.

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Kolo TOURÉ – Centre-back – Liverpool

The 34-year-old cult figure scored his first goal in five years when a Jordan Henderson cross found him standing unmarked in the middle of the box, allowing him to powerfully head home. Touré showed his experience is still valuable to the Red’s in an excellent display in defence, playing 67 passes at 93% accuracy and keeping hit-or-miss goalkeeper Simon Mignolet extremely well protected with a number of vital blocks and interceptions. Touré’s ability to read the game with such ease covers for his lack of pace, the Ivory Coast international proving age is no boundary and was deservedly rewarded for his hard work when he netted Liverpool’s sixth goal.

Jonny EVANS – Centre-back – West Bromwich Albion

The former Manchester United man was excellent in keeping tabs on Everton’s in-form strikers, earning West Brom a clean sheet in a 1-0 win. Jonny Evans managed to create a key chance, racked up 20 passes and provided a cross, however, it was defensively where he obviously made himself count. Evans won six duels, three aerial duels, and two tackles as he made sure his side walked away with all three points.

Danny ROSE – Left-back – Tottenham Hotspur

Danny Rose excelled at left-back for Tottenham in what could be a season defining victory. The 2-1 away triumph at Manchester City moves the Spurs level on points with Arsenal, just two behind league leaders Leicester City. Rose played 54 passes at 85% success, whipped in eight crosses, won seven duels, two tackles and three take-ons as he worked tirelessly moving up and down the left-flank to attack and get back to defend. The nature of the victory for Tottenham is what earned Rose the position, however, not for lack of competition. Norwich’s Robbie Brady, Chelsea’s César Azpilicueta and Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno all stared for their respective teams at left-back.

Emre CAN – Midfielder – Liverpool

The 22-year-old German has shown glimpses of his capabilities since arriving at Liverpool, yet is really coming into his own since returning to a favourable position after spells at right-back and centre-back under Brendan Rodgers. Emre Can showed all the attributes he was associated with before his move to the EPL, shining in Liverpool’s 6-0 demolition of a lacklustre Aston Villa. Can scored an excellent goal, taking a touch and smashing home from the top of the box following a counter-attacking move. He also played 72 passes at 89% accuracy, won six duels, four tackles and achieved 10 ball recoveries, working extremely hard to amend his or a teammate’s errors. Can looks to be growing into a valuable name for Liverpool, but like most players at Anfield, lacks the consistency that is required to satisfy their fans.

Philippe COUTINHO – Midfielder – Liverpool

The little master made his return to the starting XI earning his first Premier League start since recovering from a hamstring injury. The Brazilian had an immediate impact, gathering two assists and creating two other chances from his 49 passes. Coutinho won seven duels and three tackles in what was a fine display from the 23-year-old, who gives Liverpool a completely new dynamic when he is on the field. He set up Daniel Sturridge with an excellent cross for the opening goal, who was also making his long awaited return to the first team and just his second start under Jürgan Klopp. Coutinho then assisted Divock Origi, who scored no more than 29 seconds after replacing Sturridge and was then subbed out to avoid any risk of injury to be replaced by 22-year-old Kevin Stewart, who made his Premier League debut.

Giannelli IMBULA – Midfielder – Stoke City

Giannelli Imbula only had to wait 99 minutes to score his debut goal for Stoke City, having arrived from Porto on a club record transfer of £18.3 million earlier this month. The Belgian-born Frenchman did it in style, when a clearance was poorly executed the 23-year-old took his chance and struck a vicious volley from the top-left of the box, arrowing across the goal and nestling into the bottom right corner. Imbula played 39 passes at 82% accuracy, won eight duels (three aerial), one tackle and was successful in all attempted take-ons,. His efforts significantly helped Stoke to a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, despite only boasting 34% of possession for the entire match.

PEDRO – Attacking-midfielder – Chelsea

After a stellar 2014-15 season at Barcelona Pedro was bought in to help stabilise the champions, however, struggled to find the form that prompted his switch to the Premier League. In Chelsea’s 5-1 thumping of Newcastle, Pedro was back to his best, showing why the Blues chased his signature in the summer. The Spaniard found the back of the net on two occasions, in the ninth and 59th minute, with extremely well taken taken goals that doubled his tally for the season. After a terrible start to the campaign, Chelsea look to be eradicating their problems and performing how they are expected to. Teammate Willian was very unlucky not to be selected this week in place of any midfielder, once again proving to be Chelsea’s most consistent worker on the field.

Shane LONG – Striker – Southampton

Long made it six for the season by netting the only goal in the Saints’ 1-0 win over Swansea. The 29-year-old started the campaign in fine form, but dropped away over the festive period and now only averages 72 minutes per game. The Irishman gave his side the lead in the 69th minute, heading home from near the penalty spot following a cross from James Ward-Prowse. He managed to test the goalkeeper with the majority of his attempts, also creating chances for teammates, providing three crosses and winning seven duels.

Troy DEENEY – Striker – Watford

Deeney has been a consistent scorer in the Premier League this season and took his goal tally to eight after his brace secured a 2-1 win for Watford over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Deeney had five shots, finding the net twice including a penalty, as well as two shot assists from his 37 passes. The commanding striker was lively as always, winning 13 out of 26 duels, seven of which were aerial. Deeney really drove at Crystal Palace, despite his side having less possession.

Substitutes of the Week

Theo WALCOTT and Danny WELBECK – Arsenal

The two heroes kept Arsenal’s title aspirations alive with an equaliser from Walcott and Welbeck’s last second winner to beat league leaders Leicester City, who had been reduced to 10 men. The pair completed the comeback and moved Arsenal within two points of the Premier League summit.

Dimitri PAYET – West Ham United

Payet scored once and assisted a second in West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Norwich City. He made 39 passes at 82% accuracy, played in 12 crosses (three corners) won four duels and two take-ons. The strike is Payet’s seventh goal of the campaign and the assist his fifth.

WILLIAN – Chelsea

Chelsea’s best performer this campaign, Willian’s display in the 5-1 win over Newcastle was no exception. The Brazilian scored once and assisted the opener, played 49 passes, won nine duels (one aerial) and three take-ons. His tally for the season now stands at four goals and five assists.

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