SoccerClub selects the Premier League Team of the Week after Alexis Sanchez bagged a sensational second-half hat-trick and Harry Kane led his team to a 5-0 victory, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper: Lee Grant (Stoke City)
With an injury plaguing first-choice keeper Jack Butland, Grant has been asked to step in and has done so to great effect. Grant kept his second clean sheet in as many games this weekend. He was unbeatable against Burnley, pulling off a number of saves to keep the visitors at bay and help his team to a 2-0 victory.
Defender: Marc Muniesa (Stoke City)
The Stoke defender played a vital role in his team’s victory this weekend. Not only was Muniesa in fine form in defence, keeping a clean sheet, he also managed to get his first goal as a professional as he expertly volleyed home a Marko Arnautovic cross to make the score 2-0.
Defender: James Tomkins (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace have been in dreadful form and needed a big result to help turn their season around. Tomkins stood up and helped his team to a vital 3-0 victory with an impressive display. Tomkins was a rock at the back as Palace kept a clean sheet for the first time this season. Tomkins also got his name on the scoresheet as he tapped home on 36 minutes after a corner was not dealt with by the Southampton defence.
Defender: Jonny Evans (West Brom)
West Brom continued their good form this season with a 3-1 win over Watford. West Brom’s defenders have been in fine scoring form this season and Evans continued the trend as he rose highest from a corner to nod home and open the scoring on 16 minutes. The goal proved to be the catalyst, helping West Brom to a 3-1 victory.
Right wing: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Oxlade-Chamberlain took advantage of his chance in the Arsenal side with a fine performance against West Ham. The young Englishman was a constant threat going forward as he provided an assist and scored a brilliant goal from 30 yards out as the Gunners ran away 5-1 winners.
Central midfielder: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
The Danish midfielder got his first goal of the season last week and continued that scoring form this week. Eriksen, who along with Heung-min Son and Dele Alli bossed the midfield, bagged two goals and an assist as he helped his team to a 5-0 victory.
Central midfielder: Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
The most exciting game of the weekend was Bournemouth’s come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Liverpool. Substitute Ryan Fraser was the driving force behind the comeback; he won the penalty for the Cherrie’s first goal to make it 2-1. He scored the second goal making it 3-2 and then again provided the assist to the equaliser.
Left wing: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Sanchez was the standout player of game week 14 as Arsenal hammered West Ham. Sanchez unselfishly teed up Ozil for the opener on 24 minutes and then produced the kind of quality that the Hammers could not handle – scoring three goals in the last 20 minutes of the game. Sanchez proved yet again why he is considered one of the top players in the world.
Striker: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace were without a win in six games and their big Belgian striker played a vital part in turning their form around helping his side to a 3-0 victory over Southampton. Benteke scored two goals, including the opener after a defensive howler from Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster, and the third goal which wrapped the game up on 85 minutes. Not a bad way to celebrate your 26th birthday!
Striker: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
The England international has been in fine form since his return from injury, which he continued by bagging a brace against a woeful Swansea side at White Hart Lane. Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot before a quick breakaway saw Kane get his second to put his team in total control at 3-0.
Striker: Diego Costa (Chelsea)
In the game of the week, Manchester City took on Chelsea with both teams looking for their stars to step up. It was Costa who raised his hand to help his team come back from 1-0 down at half-time to win 3-1. Costa levelled the scores on 59 minutes as a brilliant ball over the top was expertly controlled and finished by the Spaniard. Chelsea then broke at blistering pace with Costa at the heart of it as he slipped through Willian on 70 minutes, who slotted home to make it 2-1 and send the Blues three points clear at the top of the table.
