Premier League Team of the Week: Gameweek 11

The Premier League never ceases to amaze its fans, and the latest set of Premier League fixtures was no different. Things took another turn for the worse as far as Jose Mourinho was concerned, as his side slumped to a sixth Premier League reverse in 11 games with a 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Other results saw Manchester City retain their position at the top of the Premier League table after Yaya Toure converted a late penalty to seal an unconvincing 2-1 victory for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who nearly gave the game away after Joe Hart’s error allowed Cameron Jerome to equalise with less than 10 minutes remaining.Arsenal kept up the pace with City thanks to a relatively easy 3-0 victory against a struggling Swansea side at the Liberty Stadium. Manchester United’s goal drought was extended as they were held 0-0 away to Crystal Palace.Leicester City once again maintained their status as the comeback kings of the Premier League, as they came from a goal down to end up 3-2 victors on an entertaining day at the Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion, who were probably hard done by after a couple of refereeing errors. West Ham suffered their first loss away from home, as they were beaten convincingly by promoted Watford at Vicarage Road, Odion Ighalo netting on both occasions.So which eleven players played well enough to earn themselves a place in our Premier League team of the week?Formation: 3-5-2

#1 Goalkeeper

Jack Butland – Stoke City

Since losing Asmir Begovic to Chelsea over the summer, the onus was on 22-year-old Jack Butland to fulfill the Potters’ first-team goalkeeping duties. So far, he has shown evidence week in and week out that he is more than capable of handling the pressure of being a first-choice keeper.

Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate against Newcastle was largely down to his acrobatics in front of goal, as he produced a series of saves (6 in total). It was enough to ensure Stoke came away from St. James’ Park with a point.

Butland’s performance – coupled with Joe Hart’s blunder against Norwich – makes him a serious contender for England’s number one goalkeeper spot and Roy Hodgson may have a very crucial decision to make with the European Championships less than 8 months away.

#2 Defence

Nicolas Otamendi – Manchester City

Since pairing up with Vincent Kompany in defence, Otamendi has been almost impenetrable this season. The 27-year-old – recruited from Valencia over the summer – added to his defensive attributes with his goalscoring abilities from corners, as he rose highest to meet a Kevin De Bruyne corner and score his first City goal.

With 5 aerial duels won, 6 succesful tackles and 9 clearances, he ensured that Norwich were never really given any invitation to find the back of the net. Until Joe Hart’s error, of course.

Mamadou Sakho – Liverpool

The 25-year-old centre-back seems to have found some impressive form under new boss Jurgen Klopp after a relatively poor start to the season. He was solid in defence against an out-of-form Chelsea, who never really created any meaningful goalscoring opportunities since going in front in the fourth minute.

His 4 clearances and 2 key interceptions during the game kept striker Diego Costa and attacking midfielders Willian and Oscar at arm’s length.

Nacho Monreal – Arsenal

This tireless 29-year-old full-back has become an integral member of Arsene Wenger’s squad through the course of the season and his reputation as one of the Gunners’ most hardworking players was kept intact in their impressive second-half demolition of Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

His 5 key interceptions in 90 minutes made sure that Andre Ayew – playing on the right wing for Swansea – was never able to deliver a meaningful ball into the Arsenal box. Monreal also provided a major threat running down the flanks, completing 3 dribbles to keep the Swansea full-back Kyle Naughton on his toes.

#3 Midfield

Victor Wanyama – Southampton

The Kenyan defensive midfielder has been a cog in the Southampton machine since joining them from Celtic in 2013. His accurate tackling and crucial interceptions to stop counter attacks have been critical in Southampton’s defensive stability over the last 15 months under Ronald Koeman.

His performance against Bournemouth – apart from the late sending-off – was a fair exhibition of a shielding midfielder’s duties on a football field. Having completed 3 dribbles, winning 3 aerial duels out of 3 and making 2 vital tackles, the 24-year-old ensured that a resurgent second-half performance by Bournemouth could not be converted into goals.

Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool

Football may be a team sport but it usually requires one individual to change the game. That individual in the Liverpool-Chelsea encounter was undoubtedly Liverpool’s 23-year-old Brazilian Philippe Coutinho. His two superb goals – one of which spectacularly sent John Terry to the floor – made all the difference on Saturday to consign Chelsea to a sixth Premier League defeat this season.

Apart from his goals, his general game was also impressive, completing 2 dribbles and proving a menace to Chelsea’s defenders each time he approached their penalty area with his quick feet and ability to eke out even the slightest of space to have a go at goal.

Yannick Bolasie – Crystal Palace

The Congolese attacking midfielder was constantly a threat to United at Selhurst Park on Saturday, hitting the bar early on and forcing a save from David De Gea. His overall game was also impressive, managing to complete 4 dribbles successfully against Louis van Gaal’s side.

His strength allowed him to compete a fair battle with Chris Smalling and Daley Blind throughout the game, with only poor finishing letting him and many of his other teammates down.

Mesut Ozil – Arsenal

Arsenal’s puppet-master never seems to be absent from the Team of the Week, reflecting his consistently brilliant displays week after week for the Gunners. Yet again he contributed to their big win over Swansea, delivering the perfect corner for Olivier Giroud to head home and feeding Joel Campbell for his first Premier League goal.

His quality in the attacking third bodes very well for Wenger’s side in the near future. With Giroud also beginning to regain his goalscoring touch, their partnership up front could well be crucial in Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title.

Riyad Mahrez – Leicester

Arguably one of the Premier League’s players of the season, the Algerian winger cannot be blamed for being linked to some of Europe’s top clubs – his performances have been that amazing. His two goals against Tony Pulis’s Baggies took his goal tally to 7 for the season.

His seething pace down the right wing, coupled with his tendency to cut through the middle of the opposition defence, has made Claudio Ranieri’s side look much more of an attacking prowess this season compared to last when they were nearly relegated with nine games to play.

#4 Forwards

Odion Ighalo – Watford

The Watford striker has had an unforgettable year so far, and he continued his wonderful goalscoring run with a brace against Slaven Bilic’s West Ham, who were thus condemned to their first Premier League defeat away from home. He remains the highest goalscorer in the English Football League this calemdar year with 23 goals.

With 7 goals and 2 assists, Ighalo has now been involved in 9 out of his side’s 10 Premier League goals this season. His partnership with Troy Deeney up the field is absolutely crucial to Quique Flores’ side’s hopes of staying in the division come May.

Arouna Kone – Everton

The 31-year-old former Wigan man scored an unlikely hat-trick in Everton’s 6-2 pounding of Sunderland at Goodison Park which makes him an automatic entry into this week’s XI. His efficiency in front of goal was exquisite, beating Costel Pantilimon from all his three shots on target.

He also provided the assist for Gerard Deulofeu’s opener which started the rout. His link-up play with Romelu Lukaku was very pleasing to see and if Roberto Martinez is treated to similar performances in the future, he could well be set for a succesful Premier League campaign with the Toffees.