Hugo Lloris (Tottenham): The French stopper hasn’t always had the faith of his manager this season, and therefore, initially looked shaky when he did play. However, Lloris’ assured performance against Swansea on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet and doing what he needed to do well, indicates he is growing in confidence as a result of AVB belatedly backing him.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham): Though he has played most of this season at left-back, the Belgian international earned a rare start in the centre of defence at the weekend, and his manager was rewarded for this decision, with Tottenham looking solid for the most part at the back. Moreover, as a bonus, Vertonghen also popped up to score the game’s winning goal, finishing consummately as he exquisitely volleyed home Kyle Walker’s well-executed free-kick.
Robert Huth (Stoke City): One of the reasons for Stoke’s success at home this season has been their accomplished defending from the front, with even the strikers clearly putting in an immense effort when Tony Pulis’ side don’t have possession. This system would be flimsy, however, without a solid backbone in the form of the German international, and Huth was as reliable as ever against Everton.
James Collins (West Ham): In a less-than-inspiring game between West Brom and West Ham, James Collins was one of the few players who stood out, giving a typically robust performance at the back, and alleviating any hint of a threat that West Brom posed.
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Pablo Zabaleta (Man City): Ever the competitor, Zabaleta was his usual self against Newcastle on Saturday, proving effective in both defence and attack (he made the assist for City’s all-important third goal). Therefore, while City are often accused of being a team full of prima donnas, Zabaleta is clearly anything but.
(Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla celebrates scoring his side’s fourth goal to complete his hat-trick - Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/Press Association Images)
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal): There was a brief period when Cazorla appeared to have gone off the boil this season, but he was right back on form against Reading last night. Even ignoring the accomplished finishes that led to him scoring a hat-trick, he controlled the game, and Norwich simply had no answer to the considerable poise he consistently demonstrated.
Wes Hoolahan (Norwich): It’s difficult to think of an Irish player who is in better form than Hoolahan at the moment, aside perhaps from Shane Long. The midfielder pulled the strings yet again to help his side to victory in their latest encounter at Carrow Road, scoring a rare diving header in the process.
Adel Taarabt (QPR): Taarabt’s display against Fulham was hailed by Harry Redknapp as one of the best individual performances he has seen in recent times, and QPR won’t have to worry about relegation if the seasoned coach continues to get the best out of his players and in particular, the Moroccan international.
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa): While some Villa fans may have been skeptical initially, Paul Lambert appears to have been proven right in deciding to continually pick Benteke ahead of Darren Bent, in spite of the youngster’s vastly inferior experience. The Villa coach was rewarded at the weekend, as a star turn from Benteke saw him score a brace in Villa’s surprise 3-1 win over Liverpool.
Theo Walcott (Arsenal): Walcott has continually asked Arsene Wenger to play him up front, and he got a rare chance to do so against Reading last night. The manager was consequently rewarded for his decision, with Walcott constantly posing a threat with his darting runs in behind the home defence. His endeavour was then fittingly rewarded late on, as the England international’s excellent finish put Arsenal 5-2 ahead.
Subs: Joe Hart (Tottenham), Gael Clichy (Man City), Yaya Toure (Man City), Brett Holman (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Man United).
Who have we forgotten? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Premier League Team of the Week
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham): The French stopper hasn’t always had the faith of his manager this season, and therefore, initially looked shaky when he did play. However, Lloris’ assured performance against Swansea on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet and doing what he needed to do well, indicates he is growing in confidence as a result of AVB belatedly backing him.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham): Though he has played most of this season at left-back, the Belgian international earned a rare start in the centre of defence at the weekend, and his manager was rewarded for this decision, with Tottenham looking solid for the most part at the back. Moreover, as a bonus, Vertonghen also popped up to score the game’s winning goal, finishing consummately as he exquisitely volleyed home Kyle Walker’s well-executed free-kick.
Robert Huth (Stoke City): One of the reasons for Stoke’s success at home this season has been their accomplished defending from the front, with even the strikers clearly putting in an immense effort when Tony Pulis’ side don’t have possession. This system would be flimsy, however, without a solid backbone in the form of the German international, and Huth was as reliable as ever against Everton.
James Collins (West Ham): In a less-than-inspiring game between West Brom and West Ham, James Collins was one of the few players who stood out, giving a typically robust performance at the back, and alleviating any hint of a threat that West Brom posed.
Pablo Zabaleta (Man City): Ever the competitor, Zabaleta was his usual self against Newcastle on Saturday, proving effective in both defence and attack (he made the assist for City’s all-important third goal). Therefore, while City are often accused of being a team full of prima donnas, Zabaleta is clearly anything but.
Anthony Pilkington (Norwich): Showing the kind of phenomenal form that Trapattoni’s Irish side could do with, Pilkington scored one and set up the other in Norwich’s defeat of Wigan.
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal): There was a brief period when Cazorla appeared to have gone off the boil this season, but he was right back on form against Reading last night. Even ignoring the accomplished finishes that led to him scoring a hat-trick, he controlled the game, and Norwich simply had no answer to the considerable poise he consistently demonstrated.
Wes Hoolahan (Norwich): It’s difficult to think of an Irish player who is in better form than Hoolahan at the moment, aside perhaps from Shane Long. The midfielder pulled the strings yet again to help his side to victory in their latest encounter at Carrow Road, scoring a rare diving header in the process.
Adel Taarabt (QPR): Taarabt’s display against Fulham was hailed by Harry Redknapp as one of the best individual performances he has seen in recent times, and QPR won’t have to worry about relegation if the seasoned coach continues to get the best out of his players and in particular, the Moroccan international.
Christian Benteke (Aston Villa): While some Villa fans may have been skeptical initially, Paul Lambert appears to have been proven right in deciding to continually pick Benteke ahead of Darren Bent, in spite of the youngster’s vastly inferior experience. The Villa coach was rewarded at the weekend, as a star turn from Benteke saw him score a brace in Villa’s surprise 3-1 win over Liverpool.
Theo Walcott (Arsenal): Walcott has continually asked Arsene Wenger to play him up front, and he got a rare chance to do so against Reading last night. The manager was consequently rewarded for his decision, with Walcott constantly posing a threat with his darting runs in behind the home defence. His endeavour was then fittingly rewarded late on, as the England international’s excellent finish put Arsenal 5-2 ahead.
Who have we forgotten? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Christian Benteke Premier League Santi Cazorla Stars Team of the Week Theo Walcott Tottenham Wes Hoolahan