Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best individual performances from the latest round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
- David de GEA – Goalkeeper – Manchester United
Manchester United owe their triumph over rivals Liverpool to the gloves and feet of goalkeeper David de Gea, who made four very good saves in his clean sheet at Anfield. De Gea was in top shot stopping form denying most notably Imre Can’s second half strike and then following up with a save of the rebound. The Spaniard only averages 2.78 saves per match and has only conceded 18 goals for the campaign, his performance against Liverpool shows that even if he is quiet he can produce the saves his team rely on. The Spaniard’s consistency to deny Liverpool frustrated the home team and United’s first shot on target was the difference, winning 1-0.
- Héctor BELLERÍN – Right-back – Arsenal
The 20-year-old Spaniard has come on in leaps and bounds and Arsène Wenger must be impressed, with Bellerín becoming a regular at the London club. Bellerín was outstanding in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Stoke City defensively as well as on the offensive. His day consisted of 39 passes (at 87% accuracy), three crosses and one tackle, also winning six duels (three aerial) and two take-ons. Bellerín provides a spark for Arsenal on the right and is a more than capable defender. The youngster’s inclusion in the squad is having a significant impact on their success this campaign.
- Ashley WILLIAMS – Centre-back – Swansea City
Ashley Williams lifted his struggling Swansea out of the relegation zone, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Watford at the Liberty Stadium. The captain’s 27th minute header from the centre of the box to the top-right of the goal following a corner was enough to secure the three points. Williams was, as usual, solid at the back, helping achieve a clean-sheet, winning five duels and all three tackles he attempted. The Welshman made 49 passes at 84% and played a true captains performance.
Special mention must go to John Terry, who also scored a captain’s goal at the death to salvage a draw, however, Chelsea conceded three and one of them was in fact scored by Terry in the wrong net.
- Ryan SHAWCROSS – Centre-back – Stoke City
Ryan Shawcross stood up to the challenge of facing league leaders Arsenal with an impressive defensive display as the two sides played out a scoreless draw. Shawcross was defensively sound, making 39 passes, winning 66% of duels (five aerial) and two tackles. Arsenal only managed eight attempts on goal for the match, six less than Stoke City and their resolute defence, who set about making it a very difficult task for the Gunners forwards. Olivier Giroud only struck two shots for the match thanks to Shawcross, who was having no trouble controlling the Frenchman.
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- Charlie DANIELS – Left-back – Bournemouth
Charlie Daniels played a fantastic hand in Bournemouth’s impressive 3-0 win over Norwich City. The 29-year-old scored his side’s second goal, in the 54th minute from the penalty spot and assisted the third, his cross finding Benik Afobe to put the result well beyond doubt. His passing let him down slightly, with 39 passes only at 64% success, however, his eight duels and two tackles won as well as five successful take-ons when running at the opposition left Norwich looking like school boys. Bournemouth now sit 15th, just three points above the drop zone.
Special mention must go to Leighton Baines who was excellent for Everton in their 3-3 draw with Chelsea, however, the goals conceded gave Daniels the edge at left-back.
- Georginio WIJNALDUM – Midfielder – Newcastle United
The 25-year-old Dutchman scored the goal that was the difference in Newcastle’s much required 2-1 win over West Ham at St James’ Park. Georginio Wijnaldum found the back of the net in the 15th minute, smashing the ball home from the centre of the six-yard box. His role in the win consisted of four shots, including his goal, five shot assists, including the assist for Ayoze Pérez’s opener in the fifth minute. Wijnaldum made 55 passes at an incredible 93% accuracy, won four duels, one tackle and two take-ons in the victory, his goal his ninth for the season. Newcastle will be hoping he can produce more of his best to help them get clear of their current position (18th) which sees them in the drop zone.
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- Cesc FÀBREGAS – Midfielder – Chelsea
Cesc Fàbregas was back to his title winning best for the champions who are still struggling, following an extremely lucky 98th minute equaliser to end 3-3 with Everton at Stanford Bridge. The Spaniard scored Chelsea’s second, with a deflected shot into the bottom-left corner from the top of the box and also assisted their first, playing a sublime ball from within his own half to pick out Diego Costa. Fabregas recorded 82 passes at 84% success, won six duels and four out of five tackles in the controversial match. His goal was the 28-year-olds first for the campaign and the fate of Chelsea’s miserable season could depend highly on how this man performs for the remainder.
Cesc Fabregas' game by numbers vs. Everton:
85% pass acc.
4 tackles won
3 chances created
2 blocks
1 assist
1 goal pic.twitter.com/1ihieSIzJU— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 16, 2016
- James WARD-PROWSE – Midfielder – Southampton
The young Englishman was on target twice in Southampton’s 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, moving them to 10th position in the Premier League. James Ward-Prowse’s first goal come in just the fifth minute, the result of a stunning free-kick that found the top-left corner from quite some distance. The second was a calmly taken penalty on the half-hour mark. At 21-years of age, Ward-Prowse looks to be a bright spark in England’s future, the two goal hero also played 59 passes at 85% accuracy and won a duel in a match that saw West Bromwich Albion not register a single shot on target.
- Christian ERIKSEN – Midfielder – Tottenham Hotspur
The 23-year-old Danish international put on a clinic in Tottenham’s 4-1 win over Sunderland at White Hart Lane scoring in the 42nd and 67th minutes. Christian Eriksen’s first goal, a shot on the follow up from a Sunderland save came within two minutes of Sunderland’s opener, his second appeared to be a fantastic strike from well outside the box, though replays showed it took a massive deflection. Eriksen had a total of four shots, along with six shot assits, playing 69 passes at 83% success rate. The Dane also made eight crosses (four corners) won his only attempted tackle and two duels for the encounter, that sees Spurs only five points off Arsenal and Leicester at the top of the Premier League.
- Diego COSTA – Striker – Chelsea
Although not his most notable performance in a year of negatives, Diego Costa has improved dramatically since the departure of José Mourinho. The fiery striker had three shots, and one goal, getting on the end of a fantastic ball form Fàbregas and an assist to repay the favour to his fellow Spaniard. Costa made 26 passes, won six duels and one tackle in the 3-3 draw. In typical fashion, the 27-year-old committed four fouls in the match that resulted in his seventh goal and third assist for the season. Although his selection is not completely justifiable, as the second striker he had more impact than others over matchday 22.
- Sergio AGÜERO – Striker – Manchester City
He is a man that always finds himself in the headlines for all the right reasons and this week was no exception for the Argentine striker, netting twice in Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad. Agüero found himself with a hat-trick opportunity but instead unselfishly put the ball across he goal face to allow David Silva to tap home from close range. The star forward made five shots, two of which were goals, played 24 passes and won a tackle, showing the world he is still a top striker and a key to Manchester City’s success.
Aguero's goal for @MCFC today pic.twitter.com/MDyRDwqwaH
— Bookie Insiders (@Bookieinsiders) January 16, 2016
Substitute of the Week
- Ramiro Funes MORI – Defender – Everton
The 24-year-old Argentine replaced Bryan Oviedo in the 71st minute of the match at Stamford Bridge at scored what everyone would have assumed to be the winner, putting the visitors ahead in the 90th minute volleying home from close range following a corner. Unfortunately, it was not to be for Everton, however, Ramiro Funes Mori’s cameo off the bench that saw him make 10 passes, nine of them accurate and win two aerial duels was enough to earn him the majestic honour of Substitute of the Week.
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