Outside90’s EPL Team of the Week – Matchday 20

Outside90’s EPL Team of the Week – Matchday 20

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Rob Officer
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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.

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  1. Petr ČECH – Goalkeeper – Arsenal

Čech played at the level we have come to expect from the 33-year-old veteran, denying Newcastle with six saves in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at The Emirates. Čech kept his ninth clean sheet for the year in which he has played all 20 Premier League games, conceding only 18 goals. The goalkeeper and central-defender Laurent Koscielny were vital to Arsenal’s defence, the pair doing everything in their power to earn the three points.

  1. Séamus COLEMAN – Right-back – Everton

The Irish defender has been consistent all year and matchday 20 was no exception. Coleman played 26 passes at 92% accuracy for the Toffee’s, winning five duels, two take-ons and a tackle, he also provided two shot assists. Coleman was defensively sound in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Goodison Park and despite his yellow card, he is favoured over Manchester United’s Ashley Young purely on his defensive attributes and better passing ratio (Young’s at 74%).

  1. Laurent KOSCIELNY – Centre-back – Arsenal

It was Koscielny and Čech who bailed Arsenal out of a tricky situation as they narrowly saw-off Newcastle 1-0. The Toon managed the same number of shots as Arsenal (15), however, the visiting side managed six on target to the Gunners’ three. Koscielny was the saviour in the 72nd minute, following-up to tuck home from very close range after a corner. The Frenchman completed 33 passes at 94% accuracy, won six duels (four aerial) and two tackles in the important win that keeps Arsenal top of the league, two points clear of Leicester City.

  1. Jonny EVANS – Centre-back – West Bromwich Albion

The former Manchester United defender was the hero for West Bromwich Albion, scoring in the 93rd minute to secure the 2-1 win over a 10 man Stoke City. Evans played 37 accurate passes, won all four attempted duels (three in the air) and shattered Stoke City hearts in the dying moments with his right footed shot from close range. Evans managed three shots for the match, his goal proving to be a very important one.

  1. Patrick VAN AANHOLT – Left-back – Sunderland

The 25-year-old Dutchman said he cares more about the points for Sunderland than the credit for his goal that, if stands, will be his second in the Premier League. His shot from distance took a deflection off Aston Villa’s Micah Richards and flew into the net giving the Black Cats the lead in the 30th minute. Van Aanholt completed 49 passes at 76% accuracy, provided three crosses, won four duels and most importantly won all his attempted tackles (three) to keep his teams winning aspirations alive. Whether his strike was on target is a matter of opinion, but either way his display boosted the struggling Sunderland to a much-needed victory, winning 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.

  1. Mark NOBLE – Defensive-midfielder – West Ham United

It was Mr West Ham at his very best in an impressive 2-0 defeat of Liverpool at the Boleyn Ground. Despite Liverpool’s 64% possession, they managed only two shots on target and West Ham took full advantage. Noble provided the assist for the second goal, a pin-point cross that found former Liverpool player Andy Carroll in his 150th Premier League appearance. Noble played 31 passes, won eight duels and was successful in every tackle he attempted (five). The 28-year-old captain’s most important contribution other than his assist came in the form of a goal line clearance to deny opposing captain Lucas Leiva of a goal as Liverpool were gaining momentum. It was a standout performance by a player that epitomises everything that is West Ham United.

  1. Yann M’VILA – Midfielder – Sunderland

M’Vila provided the assist for Sunderland’s extremely important opening goal, giving them the belief and courage to go on with the job. The 25-year-old Frenchman maybe did not put in as much of an inspired performance in comparison to Chelsea’s Willian, however, the importance of his role through the Black Cat’s midfield helped them gain an extremely important result for their survival. M’Vila played 51 passes at 84%, won 10 duels (of 13, six more than Yaya Touré, seven more than Dele Alli), five tackles (of six, both Touré and Alli both didn’t register a tackle) to play a key role in the victory. The win is sure to mean so much to the struggling Sunderland, as manager Sam Allardyce works towards another significant survival story.

  1. OSCAR – Midfielder – Chelsea

Oscar was gifted the ball on a plate from Diego Costa in the 29th minute to open the scoring in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Spanish striker passed the ball just before the bi-line to a waiting Oscar, who dinked, then shot into the goal. He then turned provider, setting up Willian to strike a truly glorious goal from outside the box. Oscar had four shots overall, made 58 passes at 83% accuracy, won 11 duels and four tackles in a very strong showing for his struggling Chelsea side. Nemanja Matić then replaced the Brazilian in the 88th minute but only to pass time, the game was well and truly won as the champions welcomed the New Year with a much-needed victory.

  1. Anthony MARTIAL – Attacking-midfielder – Manchester United

It has been an up-and-down season for the 20-year-old Frenchman since making the switch to Manchester United and in the 2-1 win over Swansea City he showed his value. Martial was menacing for his opposition, winning eight duels and four take-ons. He also passed at 91% accuracy and recorded four shots on goal, including United’s first goal, before providing the cross that lead to Wayne Rooney’s winner. It was another glimpse of the potential that Martial has to offer in the future and it comes as no surprise he has being compared to the likes of Thierry Henry.

  1. Wayne ROONEY – Striker – Manchester United

After receiving so much recent criticism having only scored six Premier League goals in 2015, Rooney started the New Year in spectacular fashion and boosted his confidence. The iconic Englishman had eight shots, 31 passes (87% accuracy), three crosses, won three duels and one tackle in United’s 2-1 win over Swansea at Old Trafford. The highlight of Rooney’s match was his sublime goal that eventually proved the winner. Rooney’s flick found the net after a cross from Anthony Martial and a huge sigh of relief was heard across Manchester. A new year and a return to the Premier League scoring sheet for one of England’s greatest ever players.

  1. Jermain DEFOE – Striker – Sunderland

Defoe wound back the clock to score two goals in Sunderland’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa. The veteran striker who has done the rounds in the Premier League sunk Remi Garde’s side, while earning his Black Cats three extremely valuable points as they push toward avoiding relegation, now just four points away from safety after 20 matches. Defoe got away four shots overall to accompany his 12 passes, two duel wins and one tackle.

Substitute of the Week

  1. Vadis ODJIDJA-OFOE – Midfielder – Norwich City

The 26-year-old Belgian made his fifth appearance of the season (four of which have been off the bench) and proved to be a stroke of magic from Norwich manager Alex Neil. Odjidja-Ofoe replaced Nathan Redmond in the 63rd minute and just 13 minutes later cut the ball back to the top of his opponent’s box to allow Alexander Tettey the chance to score the winner in which he made no mistake. Odjidja-Ofoe had 12 passes, won three duels and two take-ons to help his team to a valuable three points.

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