Outside90’s EPL Team of the Week – Matchday 25

Outside90’s EPL Team of the Week – Matchday 25

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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.

Heurelho GOMES – Goalkeeper – Watford

Despite a 1-0 loss to Tottenham at White Hart Lane, Gomes was a significant figure in keeping Watford in the match. The 34-year-old Brazilian made eight saves, seven of which were shots from inside the penalty box, to keep his teammates in touch with their opponent. Gomes has kept nine clean sheets for the season from his 25 appearances, conceding only 26 goals.

Kieran TRIPPIER – Right-back – Tottenham Hotspur

The 25-year-old is enjoying more consistent game-time of late and scored the winner for Spurs in their 1-0 win over Watford. Trippier found the net in the 64th minute, tapping in a Dele Alli cross which was ultimately the winning goal. The former-Manchester City youth player had two shots, played 57 passes at 84% accuracy, whipped in 10 crosses, won eight duels and four tackles out of four attempts. The outstanding game at right-back was only Trippier’s fifth match for the season and more performances like this could suggest a lot more game time.

Robert HUTH – Centre-back – Leicester City

Huth has represented Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Chelsea and now looks poised to win the Premier League with Leicester City. Huth’s two goals in the Foxes 3-1 win over Manchester City pushed them six points clear of their matchday 25 opponent and the belief is now genuine that they can shock the football world and win the EPL title. The 31-year-old German scored with his right foot and his head in the victory as well as shutting out some of the game’s best forwards. Huth had three shots for his two goals, played 16 passes, won nine duels (five aerial) and three tackles in what was a man of the match performance.

Scott DANN – Centre-back – Crystal Palace

Scott Dan scored for the second consecutive week, netting the equaliser in Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw with Swansea City in Wales. Dann had three shots, played 23 passes, won seven of his nine duels, five of which were aerial and a won a tackle in the draw. The goal takes Dann’s season tally to five goals from his 24 matches with the Eagles sitting 12th in the league.

Alberto MORENO – Left-back – Liverpool

Although not achieving the desired result and committing the foul that lead to Sunderland’s first goal, Alberto Moreno once again showed his attacking ability and speed getting back. Moreno, the Premier League defender who has created the most chances this season, had two shot assists and two shots of his own in the 2-2 draw. The Spaniard played 58 passes at 84% success, including two crosses, won five duels, two tackles and two aerial duels in the draw. Despite criticism, Moreno is one of Liverpool’s most consistent players and he looks to be one who, although frustrating at times, is improving week in week out.

Riyad MAHREZ – Midfielder – Leicester City

Riyad Mahrez cannot be stopped. As one of the favourites to be voted player of the year, Mahrez had yet another incredible game and scored yet another incredible goal in Leicester’s 3-1 win over Manchester City. His 48th minute strike was a master class, strolling around multiple City defenders and then beating Joe Hart to give Leicester a 2-0 lead.

Mahrez also assisted Robert Huth’s opening goal with a cross, one of his 15 passes for the match. The 24-year-old Algerian won six duels and four take-ons, taking his season tally to 14 goals and 10 goal assists as we enter the final third of the 2015-16 campaign. It would be hard to believe if Mahrez wasn’t the subject of big money offers come the transfer window.

Wilfried ZAHA – Midfielder – Crystal Palace

Another player putting in consistent performances is Wilfried Zaha. The Ivory Coast born English midfielder is coming into his own after a disappointing spell at Manchester United saw him return to Crystal Palace. Zaha had four shot assists, played 20 passes at 90% success, had six crosses, won 11 duels and won three tackles. Zaha was menacing, running at the Swansea defenders, winning six take-ons as he surged forward to, like last week, provide the spark for his side.

Mesut ÖZIL – Midfielder – Arsenal

After missing selection last week having not taken his opportunities, Özil didn’t make the same mistake, slamming home the opening goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth. It was one shot, one goal for the German, taking his season tally to four goals. The 27-year-old is really showing off his class, playing 56 passes at 93% accuracy, winning three duels and a tackle as well as a take-on in the victory that moves Arsenal to third on equal points with Tottenham in second, but behind on goal difference.

Gylfi SIGURDSSON – Attacking-midfielder – Swansea City

The former-Tottenham player scored one of his trademark free kicks to give Swansea the lead over Crystal Palace before Scott Dann’s equaliser saw the match end 1-1. It was typical of the Iceland international, curving the ball into the net from the set piece. The 26-year-old had five shots, four shot assists, played 38 passes at 82%, won six duels and three tackles for the match. The strike was the attacking midfielder’ss seventh goal for the season and his Swansea sit 16th on the EPL table.

Roberto FIRMINO – Striker – Liverpool

Roberto Firmino is becoming an important part of Liverpool’s match play with his creativity and although it took some time for him to settle into his new club, he is paying dividends. Firmino was heavily involved with both Liverpool’s goals, scoring the first with a well-placed header back across the goal and assisting the second, pressing a defender, winning the ball, working into the box and passing across the face to Adam Lallana for a simple finish. Firmino had five shots including his goal, three shot assists including his assist, played 56 passes at 84% accuracy, made four crosses, won five duels, two tackles and two take-ons. It was a drop in concentration that cost Liverpool all three points however, Firmino was one of few Liverpool players that gave their all for the entirety of the match.

Romelu LUKAKU – Striker – Everton

The 22-year-old Belgian continued his excellent season, scoring his 16th goal for the year in a 3-0 win over Stoke City. Lukaku scored from the spot following a foul on Tom Cleverley that was judged to be a penalty.

Lukaku had four shots for his goal, supplied four shot assists, played 17 passes, won nine duels (five aerial) and two take-ons in another impressive display. The former-Chelsea man is two goals behind Golden Boot leader Jamie Vardy and will be hoping to catch him by season’s end.

 

Substitute of the week:

Adam JOHNSON – Sunderland

Johnson replaced Jan Kirchhoff in the 66th minute and had a massive impact, taking advantage of a set piece situation, scoring from a free kick to make it 2-1. Johnson’s goal came from two shots, he made 10 passes, won one duel and one tackle. His introduction gave Sunderland the spark and from there they were able to salvage a point scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to stun Liverpool.

 

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