Gameweek 12 of the Premier League kicked off with the most anticipated fixture of the weekend between Manchester United and Arsenal but it was just a disappointment. Southampton finally put a stop to the goalscoring machine that is Liverpool, allowing Chelsea to move up to the top of the pile.
But, the biggest winners of the week were Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion. The Black Cats finally moved out of last place and the Baggies made their way into the top half of the table.
As the Premier League picked up after another international break, here are the players who make it to Sportskeeda’s Premier League Team of the Week:
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford
When Sunderland keep a clean sheet, it is always a big deal especially when they are defending a three-goal lead. Pickford had a challenging night as he was called upon to do his part for the team after Defoe and Anichebe had given them a strong foundation.
He kept out three great attempts from Davies, Mbokani, and Livermore in the second half, helping his team not only to a victory but also a rare clean sheet.
Defenders
Seamus Coleman
The Toffees’ forewent their clean sheet in the first half when Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the spot after being brought down by Phi Jagielka. However, Everton’s right-back Seamus Coleman literally rose to the occasion and delivered his team from a home defeat when he headed a loose ball in right at the very end.
As the Irish international saved his team from embarrassment, Swansea was denied their first win of the season.
Nathan Ake
Nathan Ake made his first Premier League start for Bournemouth and he made it one to remember as his goal earned Bournemouth an important away victory. The young defender on loan from Chelsea was seen out of position a few times but he did well to recover as the 12-year-old showed great promise.
Stoke City did a poor job od marking him as he rose without a care to head in Junior Stanislas’s free kick past Stoke keeper Lee Grant.
Jose Fonte
Keeping Liverpool out has been a tough task so far this season but the Saints pulled it off rather well even if it was at the expense of isolating their own striker. Jose Fonte looked solid as he made six clearances against Liverpool apart from two blocks and three interceptions.
The Portuguese defender can consider his team’s point well-earned as they held a dangerous Liverpool to a draw.
Patrick van Aanholt
The Sunderland defender had a great game against Hull City as they won 3-0 at the Stadium of Light. The left-back created more chances than any of his other teammates and that was just him going forward.
The Dutch footballer had an even better night defensively as he made a total of eight recoveries and 2 blocks. He even managed to make an assist for Victor Anichebe in the second half.
Midfielders
Yaya Toure
After a lot of unpleasantness between Pep Guardiola and Yaya Toure and his agent, the Ivorian midfielder was back in the starting line-up this week and he gave his new manager plenty to think about.
As the likes of Aguero and De Bruyne repeatedly failed to hit the mark, it was Toure’s brace that rescued his team.
After his first goal, Crystal Palace managed to equalise and it looked like Pep’s side was headed for another draw when the midfielder netted his second of the night, giving his team a much-needed victory.
Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher gave his team plenty to smile about during their Monday night game against Burnley. The former Manchester United midfielder found himself on the scoreboard as he scored West Brom’s third of the night before half-time.
Instrumental in helping his team dominate the visitors, Fletcher headed his goal in from a Salomon Rondon volley.
Juan Mata
This week wasn’t the first week, Juan Mata helped Manchester United out of tight spot. After innumerable close calls, he was the only one who could get a clear shot in and much to the joy of home supporters, guided it into the back of the net.
Mata proved yet again, that among all the so-called stars, he is perhaps what they need most as Jose Mourinho continues to tinker with the United line-up.
Victor Anichebe
Anichebe had a second good week in a row and finds himself in our team of the week. The Nigerian frontman was a thorn in Hull City’s side as he scored his first brace of the league since 2006.
His first goal came just past the hour mark to increase his side’s lead to two before slotted in a third six minutes before time.
Forwards
Harry Kane
Tottenham was having a tough time at home as West Ham United were leading 2-1 by the 70th minute. However, Harry Kane, who has recently joined the team from an injury, scored a double which helped his team clinch victory during added time.
His first goal came just before the 90th minute as he tapped in a cross from Son. His second goal, a spot kick, came just a couple of minutes later as Son was brought down in the penalty area.
Jermain Defoe
The lights may have gone out for a few minutes at the Stadium of Light (ironic, isn’t it?) but Jermain Defoe lit up the first half with his relentless attempts on goal. He finally scored his team’s first goal of the night making it his 150th of the Premier League.
He became only the eighth person to achieve such a feat. He helped his mates out further as he provided the assist for Anichebe’s first goal.
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Arsene Wenger brought on Chamberlain as a way of changing up Arsenal’s attack and man, did it work. He made the right wing his personal playground and did some great work resulting in an unexpected run and a perfect cross inside the box that was quickly converted into a goal by Olivier Giroud.
Olivier Giroud
The French centre-forward came off the bench to deliver Arsene Wenger and his side yet again. Makes you wonder why the manager won’t give him a start. Wenger introduced Giroud in what proved to be an inspired substitution as he rose above all others to head Chamberlain’s cross in past David De Gea.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge usually does well as a substitute and he re-energised Liverpool’s attack after they could find no way in past Southampton. However, his influence wasn’t as marked as his fellow substitutes on this list as an excellent cross from him was headed wide by Nathaniel Clyne.
Manager
David Moyes
It’s time to cut the poor man some slack and it starts with this list. The former Everton manager won his second consecutive game of the season and saw his team move one place up from the bottom.
Sunderland has looked good both before and after the international break and irrespective of how their form continues, credit belongs to him as the Black Cats looked sharp against Hull City.
