SoccerClub selects the Premier League Team of the Week as Harry Kane continues his red-hot form and Artur Boruc shone at Old Trafford to deny United the three points, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
Formation:3-4-3
Goalkeeper: Artur Boruc (Bournemouth)
The Polish stopper was the stand out performer in side’s trip to face Manchester United this weekend. The keeper pulled off several high-class saves, including a save off Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s penalty, his fourth save from his last seven penalties, to ensure that 10-man Bournemouth came away with a valuable point.
Right back: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
The Ecuadorian continued his good form with another quality display. Although his team laboured to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, the defender worked tirelessly for his team in defence and attack. Valencia’s 23rd minute shot was deflected in by Marcos Rojo to give his team the lead which they could not hold onto as Phil Jones gave away a penalty which Joshua King converted. Valencia, however, was a constant threat for United going forward and was solid in defence.
Centre back: Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace)
The former Liverpool man, who made the switch in January, was a star performer yet again for Crystal Palace as they gained a valuable victory away to West Brom. Sakho is beginning to form the backbone of Sam Allardyce’s team and will be pivotal to their survival hopes, as the Frenchmen will have to replicate Saturday’s performances a few more times over the remainder of the season.
Left back: Christian Fuchs (Leicester City)
The Austrian, who was a star in Leicester’s run to the title last year, has like many of his teammates not replicated last season’s form. Fuchs, however, put in a quality performance as Leicester look to be turning around their fortunes following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. The defender was relentless in defense and got forward to great effect as he got his name on the scoresheet in his team’s 3-1 victory.
Right midfield: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The Senegalese midfielder has been Liverpool’s star man this season and he continued this form with another outstanding performance in his side’s 3-1 win over Arsenal. Mane’s driven cross was met by Roberto Firmino to open the scoring before he got a goal of his own as he smashed his shot into the bottom corner making it 2-0. Mane was a constant threat for the Gunners as his pace and power caused all sorts of problems.
Centre midfield: Marko Arnautovic (Stoke)
One of Stoke City’s star men, Marko Arnautovic, put in a top draw performance in his side’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough. The tenacious midfielder grabbed the only two goals of the game in the first half. Arnautovic opened the scoring with a fantastic run and finish and then scored the second as he capitalised on Peter Crouch’s flick-on to secure the points.
Centre midfield: David Silva (Manchester City)
The mercurial midfielder was at his scintillating best this weekend in his side’s 2-0 win over Sunderland. The Spaniard was at the heart of City’s attacking play with his intricate passing and movement causing defenders serious problems. He capped off his performance by providing the assist for Leroy Sane’s goal, City’s second, which wrapped up the game.
Left midfield: Dusan Tadic (Southampton)
Southampton’s Serbian midfielder was in fine form this past weekend as he led his side to a 4-3 victory away at Watford. The midfielder grabbed his side’s equaliser after Troy Deeney opened the scoring for the home team. He then provided the assist to Nathan Redmond’s first goal of the game which put his team 2-1 up. Tadic then played a part in the goal which sealed the points as his assist was superbly finished by Redmond again to make the score 4-2. Although Watford pulled one more goal back it was not enough as Southampton walked away 4-3 victors.
Striker: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
The Englishman raced to the top of the scoring charts this weekend as he scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season. In a clash which was built up as ‘the Kane vs Romelu Lukaku show’, it was the Spurs man who came out on top leading his team to a 3-2 victory. Kane opened the scoring with a stunning strike from distance and then put his team 2-0 up as he calmly finished following a goalkeeping error. Kane had chances to seal his hat-trick but couldn’t find the third goal.
Striker: Fernando Llorente (Swansea)
The Spanish striker has been a vital component of Swansea City’s revival under Paul Clement as his goals have lifted the Swans out of the relegation zone. Llorente was at it again this weekend as he helped his team come from 2-1 down to secure a valuable three points. Llorente opened the scoring when he headed in Leroy Fer’s cross on 12 minutes. Then two Burnley goals put his side on the back foot until Martin Olsson equalised on 69 minutes. As the game looked to be drifting towards a draw, Llorente popped up with a 92nd-minute winner which sent the Liberty stadium into raptures.
Striker: Andre Gray (Burnley)
Burnley’s top scorer last season, Andre Gray, has had a turbulent debut season in the Premier League. The striker has however looked to be hitting the form of last season and was the star performer in his side’s narrow loss against Swansea. Gray equalised from the penalty spot before putting his team ahead on 61 minutes after a Sam Vokes assist. Gray would have been hoping that his goals would secure Burnley the points but it was not to be as his team was denied by a late comeback.
Follow Dean on Twitter: @DeanoWorks
