Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
Normality was restored in the English top-flight, with all teams in action over matchday 31.
- David DE GEA – Goalkeeper – Manchester United
Manchester City managed 26 shots at Spaniard David De Gea’s goal, however, the 25-year-old was up to the challenge and saved all three that were on target. Manchester United held out bitter cross-town rivals in a 1-0 win at the Etihad, De Gea keeping his 11th clean sheet from the 26 matches he has played this campaign. All three saves were form inside the penalty box, keeping his tally at only 27 goals conceded for the season.
- Kyle WALKER – Right-back – Tottenham Hotspur
Kyle Walker helped Tottenham to their 3-0 win over Bournemouth with excellent work down the right-flank and got the scoring underway early, providing the perfect ball for Harry Kane within the first minute. Walker got forward on a few occasions, having two shots on goal, yet was reliable as ever defensively winning six duels (two aerial) and three tackles throughout the match. It was another excellent performance from the 25-year-old Englishman and with Spurs trailing league leaders Leicester by five points, Walker’s continued form will be a key attribute to their title charge. Special mention must be given to Arsenal’s Héctor Bellarín who put in another decent display in the Gunners 2-0 win over Everton.
- Ashley WILLIAMS – Centre-back – Swansea City
As usual Swansea’s Mr reliable was Ashley Williams in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium. Fellow centre-back Federico Fernández scored the only goal in the contest, but it was Williams who held strong for his team. The 31-year-old Welsh captain played 45 passes at 91% accuracy, won five duels ( three aerial ) and a tackle in the match. Special mention must go to Wes Morgan of Leicester who won 10 duels and two tackles, however, his accuracy let him down, only passing at 52%.
- Daley BLIND – Centre-back – Manchester United
It was a massive derby win for Manchester United over cross-town rivals City, taking all three points thanks to their 1-0 win. Daley Blind was exceptional, along with his fellow defenders, keeping a clean sheet despite City having 26 shots on goal. The Dutchman won eight duels, five tackles and one take-on in the win as well as playing 36 passes from defence. He also proved his value with great positioning, allowing himself to read the play with ease.
- Ryan BERTRAND – Left-back – Southampton
Despite a goal fest at St Mary’s that would suggest lacklustre defending, Ryan Bertrand was an exception in Southampton’s 3-2 come from behind win over Liverpool. Bertrand managed one shot for the match, but did most of his excellent work on the flanks getting Southampton back in the game. Bought by Southampton from Chelsea after his loan spell in 2014-2015, the youngster seems to have settled in having spent the previous eight years at various different clubs. He played 44 passes at 91% accuracy throughout the match, provided six crosses, won eight duels (two aerial) and three tackles, despite Southampton conceding two goals.
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- Riyad MAHREZ – Midfielder – Leicester City
As Leicester City continue their push to be Premier League champions for the first time in the club’s history, this man is pulling all the strings. Riyad Mahrez has gone from strength-to-strength and having surprised everyone at the start of the season, it is now expected that this man will dazzle and entertain. The playmaker scored the winner in Leicester’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace to keep their five point lead over Spurs in tact, his 34th minute goal the end of a well worked cross from Jamie Vardy and Mahrez made no mistake, burying it in the back of the net. The Algerian played 24 passes, whipped in seven crosses, won seven duels, three tackles and four take-ons in the win that makes the dream look even closer to becoming reality.
- Sadio MANÉ – Midfielder – Southampton
The 23-year-old was introduced into the match at halftime and was immediately in the thick of the action, having a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet. It all turned around from there though, the Senegal International scoring a brace to propel Southampton to a 3-2 victory over Liverpool. Mané had three shots for his two goals, played 23 passes at an incredible 100% accuracy, won three duels and three take-ons through his 45 minutes plus stoppage time, climaxing with him scoring the winner in the 86th minute after Pellè provided Mané’s second assist of the match. He was the key player in a significant come-back that will go down in history for Southampton and their supports.
4. Cesc FABREGAS – Midfielder – Chelsea
Cesc Fàbregas played a fantastic match in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with West Ham at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard doubled his season’s tally after scoring both goals for his club, both from set pieces. His first-half stoppage time free-kick was something to behold, lifting the ball over the Hammers wall and sending it into the top left-corner of the goals. It was his second goal that was more important for the Blues though, his 89th minute penalty the equaliser to earn a point for his side. The former Barcelona and Arsenal man also had four shot assists from his 80 passes at 76% accuracy and won three duels. His yield this year has not been as expected, but when Chelsea need him the 28-year-old often finds a way to repay the faith.
- Dele ALLI – Attacking-midfielder – Tottenham Hotspur
Dele Alli continued his amazing transformation with another fantastic display in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth. The Spurs move back to within five points of league leaders Leicester City and it was Alli doing the damage yet again. The 19-year-old played 30 passes at 80% accuracy in the win and took his season tally to nine assists when he set up Kane for his second goal of the afternoon. Alli won three duels, two of which where aerial and one tackle in yet another solid display that shows the potential he has and explains the reason England fans are getting excited by his prospects.
- Harry KANE – Striker – Tottenham Hotspur
It is no wonder the strike force does not differentiate from matchday 30 as these two players are really enjoying a rich vein of form. Kane was again the star for Tottenham, the match taking him just 44 seconds to score his first goal. The Englishman had five shots for his two goals and played 25 passes at 80% accuracy in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth. His 44th second goal was crossed in by Walker and Kane managed to get in front of the defender and turn the ball in. His brace was completed in the 16th minute, a Alli through ball got the striker in behind the defenders and his neat finish to the bottom right was unstoppable. Kane also played a role in the third goal, his 52nd minute shot was saved but not held by Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc, which allowed Christian Eriksen to tap in the rebound.
- Graziano PELLÈ– Striker – Southampton
The second of the strikers making it consecutive weeks for Outside90’s TOTW. Pellè played a major role in Southampton’s amazing come from behind victory over Liverpool, scoring the equaliser and assisting both of the other goals. The Italian had five shots for his one goal and claimed two assists in the victory. Pellè won eight duels (three aerial) and take-ons as he and his team mates never gave up to achieve the impossible. The 30-year-old’s 83rd minute equaliser sent St Mary’s into meltdown, a powerful strike from the top of the box following a great turn. Moments later Pellè played in Mané for the second time, allowing Southampton to steal the victory 3-2 after trailing 2-0 at halftime.
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