Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
- Wayne HENNESSEY – Goalkeeper – Crystal Palace
The 29-year-old Welshman was a key contributor to Crystal Palace taking all three points in a 1-0 win over Norwich City at Selhurst Park. The goalkeeper made four saves to maintain a clean sheet, his seventh for the season. It was a must needed win for the Eagles, who after a bright start have sunk into the bottom-half of the table. Hennessey averages 2.6 saves per match, so his above average three saves from shots inside the penalty box and one from a shot outside helped secure a vital win for Alan Pardew’s men.
- Joel WARD – Right-back – Crystal Palace
Joel Ward provided the assist for Jason Puncheon’s goal in Palace’s much-welcomed 1-0 win over the Canaries. The 26-year-old was outstanding both in attack and defence, helping goalkeeper Hennessey to also achieve a clean sheet. Ward played successful 27 passes including the lead-up to Puncheon’s long range goal, provided two crosses, won six duels (four of which were aerial) and completed a tackle in a well rounded display for the English defender.
- Steve COOK – Centre-back – Bournemouth
Bournemouth overcame Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, further condemning the claret and blue to relegation. Eddie Howe’s side opening the scoring via Steve Cook, the 24-year-old Englishman slamming home from six-yards in first-half stoppage time. Cook was solid in defence, despite Jordan Ayew providing Villa a consolation goal with a lovely hit from outside the box, winning six duels (four aerial), two tackles and recording 61 passes at 84% accuracy in the victory that moved the Cherries up to 11th in the Premier League.
- Toby ALDERWEIRELD – Centre-back – Tottenham Hotspur
As Spurs put on somewhat of a clinic to blow Manchester United away 3-0 it was Toby Alderweireld at both ends of the ground leading the way. The 6’1” defender scored the hosts’ second goal in a destructive seven minutes that saw the title challengers burst away from a 0-0 deadlock. The Belgian managed to steer a Erik Lamela cross into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal following a set piece. Alderweireld played 40 passes throughout the match, won four duels including three in the air to keep Tottenham within striking distance of league leaders Leicester City.
- Alberto MORENO – Left-back – Liverpool
Having received unprecedented amounts of praise from manager Jürgen Klopp for his display against Stoke City, Alberto Moreno takes his spot at left-back in our team of the week. Everyone knows of his inconsistencies and speculation continues over his ability as a defender, but the 23-year-old Spaniard continues to grow. Moreno scored a stunning goal to open the scoring for Liverpool, his left-footed strike from outside the box in the eighth minute swerving through traffic and finding the right-hand corner of the net. He also created two key chances and provided the assist for Divock Origi’s second, playing the pass on the left-flank in which the Belgian created some magic. Moreno played 38 passes at 87% accuracy throughout the match and was always dangerous on the attack.
POPULAR ARTICLES
Is Spain’s La Liga the best football competition in the world?
Outside90’s Top Five Serie A performers – Matchday 32
MLS – What We Learned – Matchday 5
- James McCARTHY – Midfielder – Everton
James McCarthy scored his side’s only goal in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road. A left-foot strike from the top of the box gave the Toffees a 1-0 lead in early first-half stoppage time, only for it to be cancelled out immediately when José Holebas equalised two minutes later. The 25-year-old Irishman played out the entire 90 minutes, recording 52 passes at 87% accuracy, winning six duels and four tackles through the midfield. The result means Everton stay one point ahead of Watford in 14th place, some 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
- Samir NASRI – Midfielder – Manchester City
Not only did Samir Nasri score the winner for Manchester City in their 2-1 triumph over West Bromwich Albion, the Frenchman passed at 96% accuracy over the course of the match, won three duels and two tackles. His shot from close range found the net in the 66th minute to spark wild celebration.
- Erik LAMELA – Midfielder – Tottenham Hotspur
Erik Lamela was Tottenham’s man of the moment, really turning it on in their 3-0 smashing of Manchester United. The Argentine, who does not always spring to mind as a major threat in Mauricio Pochettino’s team, proved some critics wrong with an inspired performance. Lamela had three shots and scored a goal in the match, also providing the perfect ball from a set piece for Alderweireld to nod home. Despite only playing 26 passes, he won 12 from 16 duels and six tackles in the win that kept the Lilywhites in the title challenge.
- Alex IWOBI – Attacking-midfielder – Arsenal
The young Arsenal man is coming on in leaps and bounds and proving to the world he belongs next to the likes of Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez. Alex Iwobi provided the assists for the two megastars of Arsenal for their opening two goals, supplying perfect through-balls to first Özil, and then Sánchez 17 minutes later. The 19-year-old Nigerian also played 56 passes at 84% accuracy, won seven duels, four take-ons and a tackle in the exhilarating 3-3 draw with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground.
3 – Alex Iwobi has scored twice and assisted another goal in his last three PL starts for Arsenal. Exuberance.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 9, 2016
- Jamie VARDY – Striker – Leicester City
It seems everyone is invited to the Jamie Vardy party. The 29-year-old scored both goals in Leicester City’s 2-0 win over the struggling Sunderland with sublime finishes that this time last year, nobody would have expected from the Englishman. Vardy had five shots for his two goals, played 28 passes and two crosses as the Foxes firmed their grip on the Premier League trophy, with just five matches remaining. Now with 21 goals for the campaign, the striker won 12 duels including six in the air, one tackle and four take-ons to complete the win. His goals, coming in the 66th and 95th minutes, were a cause of complete celebration for the Leicester faithful, which one could assume has grown since the beginning of the season.
- Andy CARROLL – Striker – West Ham United
Where do we start with Andy Carroll? A hat-trick within nine minutes for the former Newcastle and Liverpool striker had Hammers fans going nuts as they took the lead against Arsenal. Despite the match ending 3-3, Carroll was immense with two headers and an acrobatic strike finding the back of the net. He had 10 shots for the three goals, won eight duels including five aerial, and played 21 passes in a performance that bought memories of his Newcastle days flooding back. Despite being ahead and ending in a draw, West Ham move five points off fourth in the Premier League and sit just one point behind Manchester United in fifth.
Substitute of the Week
Divock ORIGI – Striker – Liverpool
The young Belgian was introduced after the halftime interval and had an immediate impact, completely changing the dynamic of the Liverpool lineup. Origi recorded two sublime goals, a header and a fantastic strike from the left-flank, across the keeper and into the net. It takes the 20-year-olds tally to four Premier League goals and he is certainly an exciting prospect for Liverpool fans.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
