EPL – Outside90’s Team of the Week – Matchday 15

EPL – Outside90’s Team of the Week – Matchday 15

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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.

Notably someone is missing this week after a long stint in the team, I think it is fairly obvious who that might be.

Artur BORUC – Goalkeeper – Bournemouth

The 35-year-old Pole returned to Bournemouth’s squad and took place between the sticks in what is being described as Bournemouth’s ‘greatest ever victory’ by manager Eddie Howe. The 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge provided Bournemouth valuable points heading intoChristmas and Boruc’s clean sheet had plenty to do with it. Boruc made a total of seven saves, most notable were some big stops in the first half from Eden Hazard and Pedro shots. Despite Chelsea not firing on all cylinders, they still have a potent attacking line-up and all credit to Boruc for his contribution to his team’s win in his return match.

Cédric SOARES – Right-back – Southampton

Soares played a more attacking role for Southampton on the right this week and managed to provide some dangerous balls in the attacking third. His 28 accurate passes and eight crosses led to three shot assists – with Southampton registering 23 shots for the match. Southampton dominated possession, as defensive duties were not in high demand, giving Soares the freedom to push up the pitch. The German born Portuguese international won 13 of 18 duels, three take-ons and most importantly six of eight tackles when Aston Villa broke on the counter. Southampton deserved more than a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa but couldn’t find the moment to break the deadlock.

Winston REID – Centre-back – West Ham United

The Kiwi was the stand out performer in West Ham’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Reid did no wrong defensively in a man of the match performance, winning every tackle he laid as well as four out of five aerial duels and a total of seven out of nine duels. Reid had a golden chance to break the deadlock for the Hammers in the 22nd minute when he got on the end of a Mauro Zárate corner but unfortunately sent his header rocketing into the bar. West Ham had the better of the chances and could have got more from the game, with Reid a key to the clean-sheet in a solid defensive display.

Simon FRANCIS – Centre-back – Bournemouth

Simon Francis played an important role in Bournemouth’s clean-sheet to pick up the valuable three points in the 1-0 win over Chelsea. The 30-year-old had six clearances, and two vital interceptions to go with his three successful take-ons from three attempts. Francis made 35 passes and won seven of 10 duels and one foul in the victory that moved Bournemouth out of the bottom three on goal difference. Special mention must go to Scott Dann of Crystal Palace who scored in their 1-1 draw with Everton, however, the nature of Francis’ defensive effort for Bournemouth to beat Chelsea has him a deserving centre-back in this week’s TOTW.

Francis and Diego Costa battle it out

Matteo DARMIAN – Left-back – Manchester United

Like Reid, it was a solid defensive effort from Darmian to contribute to a clean-sheet for Manchester United. Darmian was as good in attack as he was defensively and provided attacking assistance for the struggling United forwards. The Italian made 28 accurate passes, played in seven crosses, won five of six tackles and nine out of 13 duels as well as managing a shot assist and a shot of his own. It appears United’s striking woes are continuing but not for lack of support as Darmian’s statistics suggest.

Xherdan SHAQIRI – Midfielder – Stoke City

Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri was the man behind all of Stoke City’s magic in their surprise 2-0 win over Manchester City in treacherous conditions at the Britannia Stadium. His two superb first half assists to fellow TOTW man Marko Arnuatović set up the victory and it could have been more with Arnuatović missing numerous golden opportunities off the boot of Shaqiri. Shaqiri finished the day with one shot on target, three shot assists, two goal assists and three big chances created. To add to his already impressive day, Shaqiri managed to pass at 91% accuracy, win five out of six take-ons and provide two crosses. A fantastic day for the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan man, who became Stoke City’s record signing (£12m) at the beginning of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign.

Aaron RAMSEY – Midfielder – Arsenal

It was a man of the match performance from Aaron Ramsey that, after a scare, helped Arsenal secure a 3-1 win over struggling Sunderland at the Emirates. Ramsey was involved in everything Arsenal did in the final third and put the result beyond doubt with a goal of his own in the 93rd minute. Ramsey assisted Olivier Giroud for Arsenal’s second goal that gave them back the lead after Giroud’s unfortunate own goal. Ramsey finished the day with seven shots, four shot assists, one goal, one goal assist and a staggering 124 passes at 91% accuracy. It was the perfect game for the Welshman to stand up in, with Alexis Sánchez absent. It also helped absorb some of the accumulated pressure on German Mesut Özil.

Riyad MAHREZ – Midfielder – Leicester City

The Algerian was at it again in his break-out Premier League season, this time stunning Swansea in Leicester City’s 3-0 win at the Liberty Stadium in Wales. The win leaves Leicester unlikely leaders in the Premier League, two points clear of Arsenal as Christmas approaches. Mahrez scored all three of Leicester’s goals in the victory, netting in the 5th, 22nd and 67th minutes The Foxes only had 41% of possession but used it well, with Mahrez winning two of three take-ons, having five shots and making 39 passes.

WILLIAN – Midfielder – Chelsea

In a side that is struggling immensely there is one shining light. Willian. The Brazilian has been Chelsea’s only consistent performer throughout the season so far and seems to be the only person in blue trying. In Chelsea’s shock 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, Willian managed one shot and six shot assists, however, in a struggling team nobody, regardless of their class, could manage to finish the wonderful chances created by the 27-year-old. Willian accumulated 66 passes at 89% accuracy, 14 crosses (nine of which were corners) and led the way with the ball, winning five of six take-ons and eight of 13 duels. Despite the calibre of Chelsea, Willian is the only consistent performer and if Chelsea struggle in the back half of the season there could be a few clubs circling for Willian’s services.

Marko ARNAUTOVIĆ – Striker – Stoke City

Arnautović latched onto the end of two amazing passes from Xherdan Shaqiri and kept his head on each occasion to score both goals in Stoke City’s 2-0 win over Manchester City. The Austrian showed glimpses of his true quality when finishing both goals however, he would be regretting missing a few more chances that could have seen him bag a first half hat-trick. It was a very eventful match for the 26-year-old who had five shots, two goals and 37 passes at 76% accuracy. It was a shame for Arnautović that he couldn’t take his other golden chances to cap off a wonderful day for himself, and of course for Stoke City, who could have been boasting a score line that read a whole lot sweeter.

Odion IGHALO – Striker – Watford

It was a genuine display from Ighalo in Watford’s 2-0 win over Norwich City at Vicarage Road. Ighalo was involved in both goals, Troy Deeney scoring a penalty in the 29th minute after Ighalo was brought down in the box and finding the back of the net himself in the 91st minute to secure the result. The Nigerian international had seven shots in the match, six of which were on target. Goalkeeper Declan Rudd of Norwich stated his case for regular first team football, making a string of fine saves to deny Ighalo. Eventually Ighalo beat Rudd, the strike Ighalo’s 25th league goal in the calendar year in what was his 50th league appearance for Watford. Ighalo now has nine goals for the campaign and sits fourth in the golden boot.

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