Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
Kasper Schmeichel – Goalkeeper – Leicester City
Leicester City’s title dream remains well and truly alive after their 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road. Kasper Schmeichel was excellent in goals, claiming his 10th clean sheet of the campaign while making four saves. The Danish goalkeeper made three stops from inside the box and one from outside to take is total number of saves for the season to 76. Schmeichel has proven himself this year and he would be well aware that his contribution to the team will be vital for Leicester to achieve Premier League glory.
Héctor Bellerin – Right-back – Arsenal
The 20-year-old Spaniard showed why he is a regular in the Arsenal starting XI with another inspired performance at right-back. Arsenal managed to salvage a point, claiming a 2-2 draw with fellow title chasers Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Bellerín had one shot on goal and created three chances , including both assists for Arsenal. He powered the ball across the box in the 38th minute for Aaron Ramsey to skilfully turn it home, and then repeated his act in the 76th minute, sliding a pass through for Alexis Sánchez to equalise. Despite Arsenal conceding twice within two minutes, the defender put in a fair showing both in attack and defence.
Virgil van Dijk – Centre-back – Southampton
The Dutch defender managed to grab a last minute equaliser for Southampton in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland at St Mary’s. Van Dijk’s 93rd minute shot from close range broke the hearts of the Black Cats players and supporters as they were on the cusp of a valuable three points. The 24-year-old won 14 of 17 duels (12 aerial) and won one take-on to complete the match that dragged on until an exciting final 15 minutes. The draw keeps Southampton in ninth place in the Premier League and edges Sunderland one point clear of the drop zone, due to Norwich’s loss to Swansea.
Dejan Lovren – Centre-back – Liverpool
Despite Liverpool conceding a goal and being gifted the points by Crystal Palace, Dejan Lovren really impressed with a solid performance at the back. One could argue multiple centre-backs over a blockbuster weekend of Premier League football could be selected, however, after a very inconsistent Liverpool career it was Lovren who stood up when called upon. Not at fault for Crystal Palace’s goal, he was solid and reliable in defence, getting on the end of a number of crosses and corners to clear the danger as well as some solid tackles and interceptions to keep the Reds in the contest. It was a standout performance by Lovren against a tricky opponent, to earn himself a position over the likes of Nathan Aké and Nicolás Otamendi.
Charlie Daniels – Left-back – Bournemouth
Charlie Daniels has been a breath of fresh air for Bournemouth as his return to form has had a considerable impact on their current run. Daniels scored Bournemouth’s third goal in their 3-1 away win over Newcastle United, a wonderful strike from the top left of the box, directly across into the bottom right corner of the net. He played in four crosses, won five duels (two aerial) and one take-on. Manchester City’s Gaël Clichy also put forward a strong performance at left-back, however, Daniels has been preferred due to the nature of his run of form and the apparent ease in which Manchester City disposed of Aston-Villa.
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Riyad Mahrez – Midfielder – Leicester City
This man is quickly becoming the face of the Premier League with yet another fantastic performance! The Algerian scored the winner in Leicester City’s 1-0 win over Watford, extending their lead at the top of the table to five points. Mahrez had two shots for his 56th minute winner, a left footed swerving shot from the top of the box into the top left corner. He also notched up two shot assists for the match, the 25-year-old playing 36 passes at 81% accuracy and winning six duels.
David Silva – Midfielder – Manchester City
The Spaniard was back to his best after a recent run of inconsistency, creating six chances for teammates and claiming two goal assists in Manchester City’s 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. The 30-year-old played a total of 84 passes at 88% accuracy, won seven duels, two tackles and two take-ons, assisting Yaya Touré’s 48th minute goal and then providing for Sergio Agüero’s second strike in the 60th minute. Both were fantastic passes to create the opportunity for his teammates to score. Silva has played 21 games this campaign averaging 71 minutes per match, the two assists take Silva’s total for the season to 10.
Giannelli Imbula – Midfielder – Stoke City
The 23-year-old Frenchman played a well rounded display in the midfield for Stoke City as they came from behind to claim a point in a 1-1 draw with champions Chelsea. Imbula, who was born in Belgium, played 62 passes at 85% accuracy, won 13 duels, two tackles and an astonishing eight out of eight take-ons attempted. He saw out the entirety of the match at Stamford Bridge, the draw dropping Stoke one spot on the league table behind Liverpool.
Dimitri Payet – Attacking-midfielder – West Ham United
Payet proved to be West Ham’s saviour yet again with a tremendous display in the Hammer’s inspiring 3-2 come from behind win over Everton at Goodison Park. West Ham, trailing 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining, showed incredible fight to win the match. Payet scored the winner in the 90th minute, a simple finish from the top of the six-yard box after a special Diafra Sakho cross found the Frenchman waiting. Nine minutes prior it was Payet who found Sakho, whipping in a cross for the Senegal international to nod home the equaliser. The playmaker had a total of four shots, recorded 61 passes at 79% accuracy including his goal assist, won four duels and also two take-ons in the victory that keeps West Ham’s top four dream well and truly alive. They sit just one point behind Manchester City, despite the Sky Blues having a game in hand.
Sergio Aguero – Striker – Manchester City
Probably the best striker in the Premier League, Agüero was at it again in Manchester City’s comfortable 4-0 win over Aston Villa at the Etihad. The Argentine scored twice in the match, and although his 50th minute goal came down to a bit of luck, he was in all the right places. The striker was pressing hard to receive a pass from Wilfried Bony when Micah Richards slid in to clear, leaving Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan helpless. He then hit the net again just 10 minutes later, controlling the ball into the box and finished neatly to the near post.
Joshua King – Striker – Bournemouth
King had three shots and two created chances to go with his goal in Bournemouth’s 3-1 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park. Bournemouth have not lost in the Premier League since Valentines day and it was King helping to make sure they got their second consecutive win. He received a ball from Matt Ritchie in the 69th minute and turned outside to strike with his right foot at the near post. The Norwegian had 26 passes at 73% accuracy, won 10 duels, three tackles and five take-ons in an impressive display that puts The Cherries to 14th, leaping Crystal Palace and leaving them 11 points clear of the drop zone.
Special mention must be awarded to Harry Kane, who put in a typical performance in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal and scored a fantastic goal.
Substitute of the week
Christian BENTEKE – Liverpool
The out-of-favour striker replaced Divock Origi in the 80th minute of Liverpool’s comeback 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. After the visitors went to 10 men Roberto Firmino was gifted a lifeline to level the scores, then the big Belgian won a penalty and calmly netted in the 96th minute to rob all three points from the Eagles. In his short time on the pitch Benteke changed the dynamic of the game, holding the ball up and creating more opportunity for the Reds. The 25-year-old had three shots, one shot assist, six passes at 83% accuracy, won five duels (two aerial) and won one take-on to complete a decent cameo.
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