Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
- David DE GEA – Goalkeeper – Manchester United
The Spaniard made three impressive saves to keep a clean sheet in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford. Despite boasting 61% possession, United came under fire on 13 occasions from the Hornets, but thankfully the 25-year-old shot-stopper was up to the challenge. De Gea has played in 24 games this campaign and kept 10 clean sheets, conceding only 24 goals for the season. After spending the first few weeks of the campaign in exile over his speculated move to Spain, De Gea has regained the faith and support of United management and fans, having bailed them out on numerous occasions this season.
- Jon FLANAGAN – Right-back – Liverpool
‘Scouse Cafu’ made his Premier League return for Liverpool in their 3-0 win over Manchester City, the team that stole the League Cup from them just three days earlier. The 23-year-old played his first league match in over a season since his recovery from a horrific knee injury. Flanagan played 43 passes at 81% accuracy, won 10 duels (three aerial), four tackles and one take-on in a tremendous defensive display. The young Englishman played a full 90 minutes in the match, and gained the approval of his captain Jordan Henderson while teaching former teammate Raheem Sterling a lesson or two, making some clattering challenges and winning a number of key interceptions.
Best moment from last night, Henderson reaction to Flanno's tackle on Sterling https://t.co/2ZMld3Ukod
— Mersey Reds (@MerseyReds1) March 3, 2016
- Steve COOK – Centre-back – Bournemouth
Steve Cook played an integral role in Bournemouth securing a 2-0 win over Southampton at Goldsands Stadium. The 24-year-old scored in the 31st minute to give his team the advantage, volleying home from close range following a set piece. Cook played 17 passes at 65% accuracy and won an impressive 10 duels, eight of which were aerial. He has featured in 26 matches for The Cherries this season and has only been substituted once in those appearances.
- Ramiro FUNES MORI – Centre-back – Everton
Ramiro Funes Mori scored his third Premier League goal for Everton in their 3-1 away victory over Aston Villa. The Argentine headed home in just the fifth minute to give the Toffee’s the lead following a Kevin Mirallas corner. Funes Mori then turned provider, notching an assist for Romelu Lukaku after he crossed the ball in following a corner. The 24-year-old played 59 passes at 88% success, won two out of three attempted duels (one aerial) and had two shots.
- Nathaniel CLYNE – Left-back – Liverpool
Having been named in unfamiliar territory, Clyne found himself playing at left-back to allow for Jon Flanagan’s return in Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City. He did not miss a beat and it appeared the change of position had no impact on him playing his natural game. Clyne managed one shot and one shot assist in the contest, however, it was in defence where he really showed his class, winning four duels and two tackles in his 27th match for the campaign. The 24-year-old played 35 passes at 86% success, brilliantly working his team out of defence.
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- Adam LALLANA – Midfielder – Liverpool
A fired up Adam Lallana was out to prove himself in Liverpool’s second match against Manchester City within three days. Losing on penalties in the League Cup final on Sunday, the Reds gained some revenge in a 3-0 thrashing of the Sky Blues. The 27-year-old Englishman opened the scoring with a stunning strike from distance in the 34th minute, finding the bottom-right corner. He then turned provider for Liverpool’s third goal, intercepting, taking on the defenders, then passing through to Roberto Firmino to finish the job. Lallana got under the skin of the City stars and backed it up with 48 passes at 85% accuracy, three crosses, 14 successful duels (two aerial) and an astonishing six tackles that proved his eagerness for the ball.
- Danny DRINKWATER – Midfielder – Leicester City
As Leicester unfortunately dropped points in their 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the King Power Stadium, Danny Drinkwater was doing his very best to get them out of the situation, scoring the 1-1 equaliser via a deflection with his shot from long range. Drinkwater has come on in leaps and bounds and is playing a key role in Leicesters fairy-tale season. The 25-year-old had three shots for his goal, as well as playing 72 passes at an 89% success rate. The midfielder won five duels (one aerial) and three tackles as he worked tirelessly to get his side over the line. Luckily for Leicester, their main title rivals Tottenham and Arsenal both suffered defeats, so their result increases their lead at the top of the table to three points above Spurs and six above Arsenal, who meet on matchday 29.
- James MILNER – Midfielder – Liverpool
James Milner was as reliable as ever as he helped Liverpool defeat his former club. The Englishman scored Liverpool’s second goal on the stroke of halftime, taking a nice touch from a Roberto Firmino pass and running on to poke the ball past Joe Hart into the bottom-right corner. Milner had four shots for the match and assisted Adam Lallana’s opening goal. The 30-year-old played 41 passes, won seven duels and two take-ons in his 22nd game for the season, which provided him with his fifth goal.
- Roberto FIRMINO – Attacking-midfielder – Liverpool
The young Brazilian continued his scoring spree, netting the third goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 win. Firmino, who recorded his first Liverpool and Premier League goal against City in November, had yet another game to remember against the Sky Blues. Firmino had two shots for his one goal, a neat first time finish into the right-hand side of the goal following a terrific Lallana build-up and provided the assist for Milner’s goal late in the second half. The 24-year-old played 44 passes at 80% accuracy, won three duels, one tackle and two take-ons, proving a handful for the City defenders and continuing his great run of form, extending his Premier League tally to seven goals and seven assists.
- Juan MATA – Attacking-midfielder – Manchester United
The Spaniard was man-of-the-moment for United, scoring an absolute peach of a free-kick to give the Red Devils a 1-0 victory over Watford at Old Trafford. Mata had four shots throughout, his 83rd minute hit the pick of the bunch, with curve and power bending it into the top left corner. He made 59 passes at 90% accuracy and including three shot assists, the 27-year-old won six duels, two tackles and two take-ons, showing that his former title of ‘Chelsea player of the year’ was not by some miracle. It was Mata’s 28th match for the campaign and it bought about his fifth goal, a very important one for United that keeps then within reach of fourth spot.
- Connor WICKHAM – Striker – Crystal Palace
The young Englishman made it four goals in three days, scoring both in his side’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Wickham, playing just his 15th game for the season, smashed home his first from a very similar position to last week, finding the inside of the right-side netting. He then gave Palace the lead just six minutes later, in the right place at the right time to slam home a corner from close-range after a misdirected header. Wickham had three shots for his two goals, provided two shot assists with his 27 passes. He won six duels (three aerial) and one take-on to earn his fourth and fifth goals for the season and more importantly, his second Outside90 Team of the Week inclusion in five days.
Substitute of the week
- Fabio BORINI – Sunderland
Borini replaced Lee Cattermole in the 80th minute and earned his keep within the next 12, scoring a stoppage time equaliser to earn Sunderland a valuable point. The ex-Liverpool hitman smashed it home, across the goalkeeper and into the right-hand side of the net to finally add another goal to his English career that has been plagued with misfortune and misfiring. The Italian played four passes, two of which were crosses, won one duel and one tackle in his brief, yet effective time on the pitch.
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