Another entertaining round of matches in the Premier League comes to an end, and the headline result was definitely West Ham United’s shock victory over a Manchester City lineup which cost around £300m, the most expensive ever in the Premier League.One fiery London derby saw Chelsea victorious at Stamford Bridge for the first time in the league this season, whereas another one, less entertaining than the former, saw Spurs edge out Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to a goal from their new-signing Son Heung-Min, his third in his last 2 appearances.Manchester came from behind to see out Southampton 3-2 at St. Mary’s whereas Liverpool’s winless run was stretched to 5 games when they could only draw with Norwich at Anfield. Leicester City once again proved to be the masters of the comeback when they came back from 2 goals doen to salvage a draw at Stoke, whereas West Brom had to dig deep in a 1-0 win over Birmingham rivals Aston Villa.So who makes it to the team of the week this time?
#1 Goalkeeper
David de Gea (Manchester United)
The Real Madrid board would have kicked themselves for not submitting that paperwork on time on Transfer Deadline Day, and Sunday showed further evidence why. The Spanish stopper once again proved near impregnable in front of goal, pulling off a series of miraculous saves, including an overhead save – left arm stretched – to deny a Jose Fonte header from a corner.
The new contract was speculated to be worth a £200,000 weekly wage, and de Gea showed why he was worth every penny of his salary at St. Mary’s.
#2 Defenders
Winston Reid (West Ham United)
What a game for the West Ham centre-back. Throughout the 90 minutes, he did a near impossible job of soaking up all the attacking threat Manchester City provided, heading away crosses from Kolarov and Sagna, and keeping Aguero at bay when the ball fell to him. The Kiwi’s assurance in the Hammers defence has been the key reason West Ham have been so impressive on their travels, winning at Arsenal, Liverpool and now at the home of the mighty Manchester City.
James Tomkins (West Ham United)
Like Reid, this 26 year old was equally composed in front of goal, keeping dangerous crosses at bay and not offering any sort of space for Kevin de Bruyne, Yaya Toure or Sergio Aguero to have a clear swing at goal. A similar performance going forward will make West Ham’s defence one of the most difficult to beat in the League.
Sylvain Distin (AFC Bournemouth)
Making his debut for the Cherries, the veteran Distin made his experience count in the absence of club captain Tommy Elphick, limiting Jermain Defoe to very little goal-scoring opportunities, and also kept Jeremain Lens quiet in midfield. He showed his calmness on the ball, making 6 key clearances and completing 58 passes, second only to Sunderland’s Yann M’Vila.
#3 Midfielders
Cesc Fabregas(Chelsea)
After finishing last season as the league’s highest assist provider, Cesc Fabregas was heavily lambasted for his lacklustre performances this season. Come his former club Arsenal, and the Spaniard showed why he is among the most influential midfielders across Europe, with his skilful range of passing and his mastery in set-pieces, delivering the perfect free-kick for Kurt Zouma to head in Chelsea’s opening goal against their London rivals.
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tipped by many as England’s future midfield menace, teenager Dele Alli lived upto that tag against Crystal Palace on Sunday. He was involved from the start, delivering accurate passes and setting up key attacks upfront for Son-Heung Min and Harry Kane to capitalise on.
His fitness and agility throughout the 90 minutes was a massive positive for Spurs boss Pochettino, and the Argentine will be hoping for many similar performances from the 19-year-old in the future.
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)
The Algerian winger can do no wrong this season. He once again displayed his threat down the right side of the pitch, steamrolling past Stoke City defenders and finding Jamie Vardy in the box on numerous occasions.
Leicester had to script another comeback performance after going 2 goals down against the Potters, and Mahrez’s enlightening performance was key to ensuring their unbeaten league record in the Britannia Stadium intact. He has now had a part to play in 8 of his side’s goals this season (5 goals, 3 assists).
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Another man heavily in the media’s firing line for his under-performances for Chelsea, the 24-year old PFA Player of the Year was another one who identified a high-profile derby to return to his old self.
The Belgian, with his box of tricks, made life difficult for Arsenal’s back four, especially after they were controversially reduced to 10 men, and capped off his impressive 90 minutes with an injury time goal(his first of the season) to seal the win for Chelsea.
#4 Forwards
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Korean forward seems to have provided the answer to Tottenham’s striking problems. His left-footed strike across Alex McCarthy meant his goal tally reached three in his last 2 appearances for Spurs. His searing pace from an attacking midfield area caused havoc among the Palace centre-backs Hangeland and Delaney, and with the support of Harry Kane, always threatened to win the game for Spurs.
With his sublime form at the moment, Christian Eriksen will be a worried man and will have to perform at the highest level to compete with Son for a regular place in the starting line-up.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Many questions were raised following Anthony Martial’s supposedly ‘crazy’ £36m move from Monaco to Old Trafford, but the Frenchman seems to be casting aside all doubts with his sharpness in front of goal against Southampton.
His magnificent turn to score Man United’s equaliser and his quick response to a desperate back-pass by Maya Yoshida proved why he has the potential to become the Premier League’s next Thierry Henry. He had two touches inside the Southampton penalty area, and both were converted into goals.
Odion Ighalo (Watford)
With 20 goals in 24 league appearances in 2015 (the highest by any player in the Football League), Odion Ighalo has become one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League with his double-strike against basement club Newcastle United.
He, supported by Troy Deeney behind him, managed to open up a shambolic Newcastle defence on many occasions, and ensured that their chances counted for goals in the end to provide Watford their first away win of the season. His goals will be crucial to Watford’s chances of staying in the Premier League in their first season back up from the Championship.
