Premier League Team of the Week | OneFootball

The title race saw perhaps its first significant early moment with champions Manchester City losing a thrilling contest at Norwich, whilst Liverpool beat Newcastle to maintain their perfect start to the new season and move five points clear at the top.

Elsewhere, Chelsea’s kids shone in a convincing win at Wolves, and Quique Sanchez Flores’s Watford side showed spirit to earn a draw in the first game of the Spaniard’s second spell at Vicarage Road.

The weekend’s action saw 32 goals scored between nine fixtures, and following an entertaining round of action we’ve opted for an uber attacking Team of the Week line-up.

Here, in a 3-4-3 formation, is the Football Faithful’s Team of the Week…

Goalkeeper: Tim Krul – Norwich

Daniel Farke’s Norwich City side romped to the Championship title last season, though their squad lacks experience at Premier League level. Dutch international Krul is a rarity in the Canaries squad as a seasoned top flight player, and he showed all his experience to help injury-hit Norwich to a huge upset against Manchester City on Saturday evening.

The 31-year-old was a cool head in a second half that flowed constantly towards his goal, whilst his assured handling relieved the pressure on his side on several occasions.

Defender: Serge Aurier – Tottenham

Kieran Trippier’s summer departure to Atletico Madrid has left a vacancy at right-back for Tottenham, though Ivory Coast international Aurier has had to be patient for his chance.

Having recovered from a hand injury the full-back was handed his first start of the season, his first in the Premier League since February, and impressed as Spurs thrashed Crystal Palace.

The 26-year-old was a constant outlet for his side throughout, creating the second goal when his fizzed cross that saw Patrick van Aanholt inadvertently turn the ball in his own net.

He was influential again when found in space down the right-hand side, delivering a deep cross for Son Heung-Min to fire home for his second assist of the afternoon. The right-back spot looks like his to lose.

Defender: Sam Byram – Norwich

Pigeon-holed into our back three is Norwich debutant Sam Byram, who stepped up admirably in the absence of Max Aarons in Daniel Farke’s injury-ravaged side.

The former West Ham defender shackled the in-form Raheem Sterling impressively, showing tenacity and aggression in his defending to come out on top in their particular duel.

Defender: Fikayo Tomori – Chelsea

On an afternoon when Chelsea’s kids showed they have what it takes to compete, 21-year-old defender Tomori was a stand-out performer for Frank Lampard’s inexperienced side. The centre-back had shone under Lampard on-loan at Derby County last season, and has now been handed his chance in the first-team at Stamford Bridge.

The England U21 international was excellent against Wolves and marked the occasion with a stunning first goal for the club. There seemed little on when the ball rolled out to the youngster some 35-yards out, though he showed the confidence to execute a superb curling effort past the helpless Rui Patricio for the opener.

Not done there, he played a crucial role in Chelsea’s second goal, a powerful surging run into the area before finding Mason Mount before Tammy Abraham fired home.

Midfield: Scott McTominay – Manchester United

The youngster has established himself as a favourite under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, and delivered arguably his best performance of the season this weekend.

United’s midfield options have been heavily criticised in the early weeks of the new campaign, though in the absence of Paul Pogba, McTominay was an authoritative presence during the win over Leicester.

It was hardly a vintage display from an injury-hit United as they secured a tight 1-0 win, though McTominay’s combative and assured performance contributed to three points against the in-form Foxes.

Midfield: Emiliano Buendia – Norwich

Teemu Pukki may have taken the majority of the headlines at Norwich following his prolific start to life in the Premier League, however Argentine midfielder Buendia could arguably the most important player in the Canaries side.

Against Manchester City Buendia was superb, the 22-year-old at the heartbeat of a hugely impressive Norwich display, providing two assists in the thrilling 3-2 defeat of the champions.

The former Getafe star also registered the most tackles (4), touches (60) and crosses (5) for Daniel Farke’s side, the stand-out performer following an all-action display.

Right-wing: Son Heung-Min – Tottenham

The South Korean was suspended for Tottenham’s opening fixtures of the new season, but having returned to first-team action was back to his electric best against Crystal Palace this weekend.

The 27-year-old scored his first goals of the season with a well-taken double, helping Mauricio Pochettino’s side return to form with a comprehensive 4-0 win.

Son scored 20 goals in all competitions for the North London side last season, the second time in four seasons he has achieved the feat, and he will be hoping to reach that landmark once again this time around.

Left-wing: Gerard Deulofeu – Watford

Watford produced a stirring second-half fightback to earn a point against Arsenal on Sunday, having trailed 2-0 at half-time to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s double.

Watford, rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, showed great spirit to come back from the deficit with Deulofeu influential in their relentless attacking display. The diminutive Spaniard was at the heart of Watford’s best attacking moves, intercepting some sloppy play from Arsenal at the back to enable Tom Cleverley to score his side’s first.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ side were unlucky not to take the three points following their all-out assault on Arsenal’s goal, firing 31 efforts on goal with Deulofeu at his creative best.

Forward: Roberto Firmino – Liverpool

Described as the oil in the engine of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, the European champions initially struggled during the 3-1 win over Newcastle in the absence of the Brazilian, falling behind to Steve Bruce’s visitors, before Divock Origi’s injury saw Firmino thrust into action.

The forward has been in superb form to start the new season and his arrival from the bench swung the contest in favour of the hosts, a series of sublime and deft touches helping link Liverpool’s attacking play.

His through ball allowed Sadio Mane to put Liverpool in front, before an ingenious flick allowed Mohamed Salah to score his side’s third. Salah and Mane may take the majority of the headlines with their goalscoring exploits, but Firmino remains arguably the key figure in Klopp’s attacking unit.

Forward: Teemu Pukki – Norwich

Another goal for Norwich star and another brilliant all-round display from the Finnish forward. Pukki has now hit six goals over the opening five weekends of the Premier League season, whilst he also turned provider as the newly-promoted side shocked champions Manchester City at Carrow Road.

Put through on goal in the first half the 29-year-old unselfishly squared to allow Todd Cantwell to fire home, before getting himself on the scoresheet in the second period.

Pukki’s performance helped Daniel Farke’s side to a memorable 3-2 win, and he will have to continue firing as the club look to preserve their top-flight status.

Forward: Tammy Abraham – Chelsea

It’s now seven goals in his past three Premier League games for the Chelsea forward, eight if you include this weekend’s unfortunate own goal, who seemingly can’t stop scoring for Frank Lampard’s new-look side.

The 21-year-old became the youngest Chelsea player to score a Premier League hat-trick against Wolves this weekend, with three expertly taken goals in the club’s convincing 5-2 win at Molineux.

Now leading the race for the Golden Boot alongside Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Abraham is now undisputedly Chelsea’s first-choice forward and has proved why Lampard was right to place his faith in the youngster this season.

Chelsea’s kids are beginning to show they belong at Premier League level, and Abraham must now be in Gareth Southgate’s thinking to join rejoin teammate Mason Mount in the senior England squad. Abraham has been linked with a switch of allegiance to Nigeria, which would be possible as both of his senior caps came in friendly fixtures.

Southgate must decide, and soon, whether he features in his plans.

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