Premier League Team of the Week: Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Crystal Palace stars impress in Matchweek 11
Premier League Matchweek 11 was once again filled with great goals and matches.
Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur led the way heading into the weekend and managed to retain number one position with a very good win at home to Arsenal in the north London derby.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s kept hot on their heels with an emphatic win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.
At the bottom, West Brom and Fulham lost their games to heap on the relegation pressure, whilst Manchester United and Man City gained all three points.
So, following the latest round of fixtures, who were the top individual performers?
Here’s Shoot’s Premier League Team of the Week…
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool)
There were some good performances from a lot of goalkeepers around the Premier League this weekend, but Kelleher deserves his slot in the team of the week. After keeping a clean sheet against Ajax in the Champions League in midweek, the Irishman performed the same task in the Premier League. Coming in for the injured Alisson, the shot stopper certainly is making a name for himself.
DF: Joel Matip (Liverpool)
Another Liverpool player makes our team, in Joel Matip. It’s been a nightmare season for Liverpool in terms of injuries to key defenders, so a lot of pressure has been rested on Matip’s shoulders, especially since he has had his own injury problems of late. The defender rose to the occasion on Sunday evening, keeping a clean sheet and scoring a great header in his side’s 4-0 win.
DF: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
After their defensive mindset was spoken about so much after the game, it didn’t feel right not to name a Spurs defender in the team. And Alderweireld was the best of a brilliant bunch in the north London derby. The Belgium international was aggressive in the tackle, yet so calm on the ball. A performance his manager Jose Mourinho would have been proud of.
DF: Gary Cahill (Crystal Palace)
Unlike most of the players in our team, Gary Cahill didn’t find the score sheet or keep a clean sheet, but he still deserves his spot. The 5-1 thumping win Palace recorded over West Brom was one of the results and performances of the weekend and Cahill was a major part of the Eagles’ success.
DF: Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
One player who did find the net, was Kurt Zouma. His thumping header put Chelsea ahead against Leeds United in what was a thrilling game of football. That goal allowed Chelsea to press on and secure all three points. Zouma was a constant threat at set pieces, but also defended well against the exciting Leeds United attack.
MF: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham)
If there was ever a player who captivated a Jose Mourinho win more, it would be Hojberg. After a poor start to his Spurs career against Everton earlier in the season, the Denmark international has become a fan favourite in North London. He was simply everywhere on Sunday, cutting out any Arsenal attacks and playing good football at the same time.
MF: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
When teams suffer injuries to their squad, it’s important leaders and big players step up to the plate to ensure their team keep winning football matches. That’s exactly what Henderson done on Sunday evening for his Liverpool side. Assisting two goals on the night and completely dominating the midfield battle.
MF: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes is by far and away United’s best player. But you couldn’t blame United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for naming his main man on the bench on Saturday, given the amount of football the Portugal international has played. However, at 1-0 down and playing terribly, Fernandes was brought into the game and absolutely transformed the Red Devils’ fortunes. He was instrumental as usual and dragged his side to three another comeback win.
FW: Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)
Similar to Liverpool’s XI, there were many Tottenham players who could have easily made this top 5. Their defensive performance against north London rivals Arsenal was second to none. But we feel Son deserves his spot, given the quality of his long-range surprise and his pace and tenacity on the break which set-up Harry Kane’s goal. Son’s work rate all match was as impressive as it always is, in a hue win for Spurs.
FW: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)
With all due respect to Christian Benteke, many football fans would not have expected to see the Crystal Palace striker in a team of the weekend. But the Belgium forward certainly deserves his place, scoring a brace against West Brom this weekend. It was the first time Benteke has scored two goals in a Premier League football match, since a brace at Anfield in 2017!
FW: Zaha (Crystal Palace )
Returns to the pitch, don’t come much better than Zaha’s performance on Sunday lunchtime. The Ivory Coast international has suffered from COVID-19 and was a doubt for this match. However, having made a full recovery, he looked at his scintillating best against Slaven Bilic’s side, scoring two goals in a thumping 5-1 victory.