Gameweek 9 of the English Premier League sure was interesting with neither Arsenal, Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur coming away with wins. However, Liverpool moved closer to the top as did Chelsea, who were the two standout teams this weekend. A few others did well for themselves as David Moyes’s Sunderland made the last spot on the table their own.
It was a weekend of hard fought games and here are the players who make it to Sportskeeda’s Premier League Team of the Week:
Goalkeeper
Victor Valdes
Travelling Middlesbrough fans must have felt grateful to have Victor Valdes, the former Barcelona keeper in front of their goal at the Emirates this Saturday as he kept the home side out for the night. Valdes’s command over his area kept Boro in the game and he made a very fine and very crucial save when Alexis Sanchez curled in a late shot.
The Spaniard had one of his best games for the Boro so far.
Defenders
Kyle Naughton
Swansea right-back Kyle Naughton helped his team keep their first clean sheet at home under new manager Bob Bradley. He was resolute in front of a dangerous Watford side and stood up to their numerous attacks.
He made all of 12 recoveries for his team and pulled off a couple of successful blocks and tackles. He even tried his hand at creating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Gary Cahill
Chelsea’s game against Manchester United showed that Gary Cahill hasn’t quite lost the plot yet. He was rock-solid in defense and even scored a goal from a corner. He looked confident as a defender in a back three and seemed not to miss John Terry, his usual partner.
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Cahill kept his cool as Chelsea invited United attacks for most of the night.
Winston Reid
West Ham United would have gone home with just a point had it not been for the centre-back, Winston Reid. While he did his best to keep Sunderland out all night, it was his last-minute goal that really redeemed Slaven Bilic and his team.
He was on the receiving end of a corner that was played just outside the penalty box and Reid didn’t hesitate to send a low shot through a crowd of bodies and into the goal.
Christian Fuchs
Leicester City put on a much-awaited impressive display against Crystal Palace at home. They were up by two goals when left-back Fuchs made it three with a superb half-volley from 25 yards out. Even though he conceded a goal to Yohan Cabaye inside the last five minutes of the game, he will remember the night for scoring his first ever goal for Leicester City.
Midfielders
N’Golo Kante
The Frenchman had another outstanding week for the Blues and even scored his first goal for Chelsea. Kante was swift and masterful as he commanded the midfield and gave no room to United’s midfielders to work their magic.
He looked tireless and has quickly become an integral part of Conte’s set up.
Emre Can
Emre Can was afforded an opportunity to start with Wijnaldum not yet match-ready and the German international showed his worth as he was quick on the attack from midfield. He helped set up the first goal of the night and could have had a couple of his own too.
His hardworking performance is sure to have made an impact on Jurgen Klopp.
Yohan Cabaye
Alan Pardew’s decision to include Cabaye in the team resulted in his team’s only consolation of the night. The Frenchman started in place of an injured Puncheon and had a few genuine attempts throughout the game.
He finally scored after Palace were already down by three goals when he sent his shot through the legs of Robert Huth and into the back of Leicester’s goal.
Forwards
Phillippe Coutinho
Phillippe Coutinho was awarded the man of the match after his impressive performance against West Bromwich Albion. Another player who has been flourishing under Klopp, he created the chance for Liverpool’s first goal when West Brom was looking solid defensively. He capped a great night with a goal for himself as he scored the winner.
His scintillating movement with the ball showed how cool and composed he can be and was definitely the best player of the night.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Shaqiri was the hero Stoke needed to inject some life into their campaign. Hull City gave the Swiss international too much space just within the half hour mark when he aimed a shot into the top corner of the goal. His second of the night came soon after the second half resumed.
He scored from an outstanding free-kick that found its way in near the bottom corner of the post.
Shinji Okazaki
Gameweek 9 wasn’t a great week for strikers and Shinji Okazaki was one of the very few who actually scored. In the absence of Jamie Vardy, the onus was on him to provide some goals and he delivered. Apart from a few shots on target early on in the game, the Japanese international scored from 15 yards out in the second half and gave his team a much deserved two goal lead.
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Substitutes
Kelechi Iheanacho
The Ivorian striker is one talented kid. On a night when Manchester City looked like they had no way past Southampton, Iheanacho provided them with a lifeline as he scored their equalizer. He aimed from close-range as another young recruit, Leroy Sane delivered a pretty impressive cross.
Sofiane Boufal
New signing Sofiane Boufal really put the pressure on Manchester City as he came on for Dusan Tadic with 30 minutes to go. He didn’t look like he was playing for the visiting side at all as he looked hungry to attack and go back home with a win over their hosts.
Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy isn’t having a party this season yet but he came on looking hungry with 15 minutes of the game left to play. While he had no concrete impact on the game, just having him on as an added threat was enough to keep Crystal Palace at bay.
Manager
Antonio Conte
The Chelsea manager undermined Jose Mourinho’s status as the Special One in front of the very people who called him that for years. Conte’s tactics ensured the Portuguese manager found no opportunity to put any kind of game plan in place.
The Italian’s 3-4-3 formation might have seemed foolish for the Premier League but his players have vindicated his convictions. And most importantly, he was very involved in his team’s game, even when they were four goals up.
