Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
Ben FOSTER – Goalkeeper – West Bromwich Albion
The 32-year-old Englishman made his long awaited return to the West Bromwich Albion starting XI after a serious knee injury had kept him sidelined since the beginning of the campaign. Foster made an immediate impact, making four saves and keeping a clean sheet in West Brom’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. West Brom have conceded 30 goals this season so the return of Foster coinciding with the clean sheet will be a boost to their morale.
Adam SMITH – Right-back – Bournemouth
Adam Smith was solid as a rock defensively for Bournemouth in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Smith managed two shots himself, as well as a shot assist and played 40 passes at an 80% success rate. Smith also won nine duels (two aerial), four tackles and a take-on. The 24-year-old Englishman looked solid and despite his team conceding once it was a very well rounded display. Special mentions must go to Leicester’s Danny Simpson and Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanović who also played exceptional games, Ivanović providing an assist for Diego Costa’s winner, however his statistics proved inferior to that of Smith.
Craig CATHCART – Centre-back – Watford
Watford took all three points against Newcastle United, winning 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Craig Cathcart scored what proved to be the winner in the 58th minute slipping the ball into the bottom left corner from the centre of the penalty box following a set piece from Odion Ighalo. The 26-year-old from Northern Ireland managed two shots, played 37 passes at 70% accuracy, won six out of nine duels (five aerial) and one tackle in the victory. His defensive display was enough to see out the game despite Watford conceding to a corner in the 71st minute.
Kurt ZOUMA – Centre-back – Chelsea
Chelsea kept a clean-sheet in their 1-0 win over a 10 man Arsenal after the sending off of Per Mertesacker in the 18th minute. Zouma, the 21-year-old Frenchman, did a fantastic job at the back in his 21st Premier League match of the campaign. Zouma played 37 passes at 95% accuracy, won six duels (four aerial) and won two tackles in the win. The result denied Arsenal from going top of the Premier League table after 23 weeks and gave Chelsea a valuable three points as they put daylight between them and the relegation battle.
Patrick van AANHOLT – Left-back – Sunderland
As Sunderland sit 19th with just 19 points for the season it appears they are in for a battle to stay in the top flight of English football. Patrick van Aanholt is one shining light for the Black Cats so far this season and his consistency is giving Sunderland fans that the belief is there to stay up. van Aanholt scored his fifth goal for the season in Sunderland’s come back 1-1 draw with Bournemouth that helped them earn a valuable point. The Dutch defender was played in by Fabio Borini and made no mistake in first half stoppage time, his left foot shot from the left of the penalty box finding the back of the net. The left-back made 43 passes at 77%, won six duels (two aerial), two tackles and one take-on in the draw.
https://youtu.be/dV0yBQJSHPk
Mousa DEMBÉLÉ – Defensive-midfielder – Tottenham Hotspur
Despite not finding himself on the score sheet or the assist list, Dembélé had a fine game, dominating the midfield from his slightly defensive position. Managing two shots and two shot assists, the Belgian international played a big role in his side’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, winning 13 out of 17 duels, six of seven tackles and all four take-ons he attempted. Along with these impressive stats, Dembélé played 66 passes at an incredible 97% success rate. An impressive performance and a solid win for Tottenham as they move five points clear of Manchester United in the battle for fourth, and more importantly only find themselves five points off Leicester at the top of the league.
Danny DRINKWATER – Midfielder – Leicester City
Danny Drinkwater helped Leicester earn all three points with his impressive display in their 3-0 win over Stoke City. Drinkwater scored Leicester’s first goal in the 42nd minute, shooting from just outside the penalty box following a corner, the ball took a deflection and nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the Stoke City goal. Drinkwater then provided the assist for Jamie Vardy; his through ball perfectly weighted into the path of Vardy, who scored his 16th goal for the season, making him leader of the golden boot after 23 matches. Drinkwater played 69 passes at 78% success, won three duels and one tackle in the valuable win that returns the Foxes to outright top of the Premier League.
James MILNER – Midfielder – Liverpool
James Milner has been impressive for Liverpool since his arrival from Manchester City at the beginning of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign. Despite battling a few injuries, Milner has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers and the unbelievable match against Norwich was another example of his work-load. Milner had two shots, scoring once when his intelligent movement allowed him to capitalise on a terrible back pass that put Liverpool 4-3 up in the 75th minute. Milner also assisted Liverpool’s opener, playing in Roberto Firmino in the 18th minute. Milner played 40 passes at 80% accuracy, provided four crosses, and won four duels in the thriller that ended 5-4 in the Reds’ favour.
Dele ALLI – Midfielder – Tottenham Hotspur
This kid is special. The 19-year-old English midfielder scored an absolute peach of a goal to put Tottenham ahead 2-1 in their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. Alli showed excellent ball control and composure as he flicked and spun around the Eagles defence before volleying home from outside the box, turning blind, to find the bottom left corner. Alli had seven shots, an assist for Nacer Chadli’s goal in stoppage time, played 50 passes at 82% success, won eight duels, one tackle and all three attempted take-ons. There is no doubt Alli is a star at Spurs and England fans everywhere are excited by the potential this kid has to offer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg0oPus2qv0
Roberto FIRMINO – Striker – Liverpool
Roberto Firmino is still battling with consistency issues, however, he is beginning to pay dividends for Liverpool after his £29 million move from Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. The Brazilian scored twice in Liverpool’s dramatic 5-4 win over Norwich, opening the scoring in the 18th minute, and then equalising to make it 3-3 in the 63rd. Firmino had a total of four shots, two of which were goals, got the assist for Jordan Henderson’s 55th minute goal, played 37 passes, won three duels and one tackle for the match. The 24-year-old has played 20 Premier League matches this season and despite frustrating the fans with inconsistency he is becoming more reliable as he gathers confidence.
Sergio AGÜERO – Striker – Manchester City
Sergio Agüero bailed Manchester City out of trouble twice in their 2-2 draw with West Ham United. Going behind in the first minute, Agüero was calm as ever, getting his side back on level terms in the ninth minute from the penalty spot. He was asked to come to the rescue again, and in the 81st minute the Argentine’s second once again levelled the scores. The 27-year-old had seven shots, made 28 passes at 82% success, won five duels (one aerial) and won three-take ons, as always terrorising the opponent’s defence. Sergio Agüero is one of the world’s best strikers and he continues to prove his value week in week out for Manchester City.
Substitute of the Week
Adam LALLANA – Midfielder – Liverpool
Adam Lallana’s 95th minute winner for Liverpool will be remembered for years to come in what will go down as an absolute thriller at Carrow Road. Lallana had one shot for one goal, but also importantly got the assist for Roberto Firmino’s equaliser in the 63rd minute. Lallana made 17 passes, won three duels and one tackle in his very valuable cameo, replacing Jordan Ibe in the 59th minute. Another very deserving winning of the ever-popular ‘Substitute of the Week’ thanks to Outside90.
Special Mentions
Steven NAISMITH – Attacking-midfielder – Norwich City
On debut for his new club, Steven Naismith managed a goal that gave Norwich a 2-1 lead and then won a penalty that lead to their 3-1 lead over Liverpool at Carrow Road. Naismith made 30 passes at 73% accuracy and won six duels before being replace in the 82nd minute by Cameron Jerome.
Enner VALENCIA – Striker – West Ham United
Valencia gave West Ham the lead twice in their 2-2 draw with Manchester City. His first and 56th minute strikes were both cancelled out by Sergio Agüero goals. The 26-year-old Ecuadorian had two shots for his two goals, played 14 passes at 86%, made two crosses, won four duels (out of 15) and won one take on.
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