The Football Faithful
·24 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·24 November 2024
Our Premier League Team of the Week from the weekend’s action. Tottenham dominate after a big win at Manchester City, while Arsenal, Chelsea, Wolves and Liverpool all feature.
A one-man crusade at times to stop Erling Haaland. Vicario made a string of saves to frustrate the Norwegian and become the first goalkeeper to stop City from scoring this season. He’s had his critics but this was an excellent display of shot-stopping at the Etihad.
In the team as an auxiliary centre-back, Lemina was heroic during Wolves’ win at Fulham. He assisted the equaliser with a fantastic raking pass into Matheus Cunha, won 100% of his ground duels (3/3) and made seven clearances. The Gabon international twice won the ball back in the build-up to Wolves goals in West London.
Tottenham needed a big display from Dragusin this weekend and got one. Dragusin has struggled for regular football since his arrival in January but was handed his chance in the absence of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
The Romanian relished his duel with Erling Haaland and blocked three shots as Spurs shut out the champions at the Etihad.
Every team needs a Ben Davies. The Wales captain is not always a regular but rarely lets anyone down when called upon. His first Premier League start of the season saw Davies shine in central defence at Manchester City, where his excellence on the ball helped Spurs bravely beat the home side’s press. Deserves his flowers.
After a tough period on and off the pitch, Enzo Fernandez was back in the Chelsea side and performing this weekend. He registered his fifth assist in his last three appearances and scored the second at Leicester – a goal that was followed by an outpour of emotion. Those contributions aside, Fernandez was tenacious in his work to send a statement to Enzo Maresca.
How Arsenal have missed Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian’s return has lifted Arsenal and Odegaard has wasted no time in finding his form after injury. He was the heartbeat of Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, where he created six chances and set up Bukayo Saka for the opening goal. At the hub of everything positive for Arsenal, his link-up with Saka in the right channel was a delight to watch.
Birthdays don’t get much better than that. James Maddison celebrated turning 28 with an outstanding performance in Tottenham’s 4-0 win at Manchester City. Maddison ghosted into the box to open the scoring, before a delicate dink doubled the lead after combining with Son Heung-min. He won nine duels, completed 100% of his take-ons and caused countless problems with his forward running from deep areas. This was a firm message to Thomas Tuchel.
Scored one, created another, and looked lively throughout Arsenal’s win over Nottingham Forest. Saka dovetailed delightfully with Martin Odegaard, in a combination that offers Arsenal encouragement for their title hopes.
He’s one of just three players to have recorded 60+ goals and assists in the Premier League over the last three seasons, alongside Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. That’s the sort of company Saka is keeping.
Dejan Kulusevski has quietly been one of the players of the Premier League Season. The Swede picked out Maddison brilliantly for the first goal and was a menace for Manchester City after moving back into a wide role. His mix of grace, power and balance is difficult to stop. Sensational.
Not always as involved as he would have liked but always, always a threat. Salah came to Liverpool’s rescue with two late goals as the Reds survived a scare to win at Southampton. His first was a piece of real quality as Salah diverted Ryan Gravenberch’s long pass past the out-of-position Alex McCarthy, before slamming home the winner from the spot. He’s averaging a goal or assist every 66 minutes this season.
Wolves are up and running after back-to-back wins and Matheus Cunha was the best player on the pitch at Fulham this weekend. Cunha has seven goals and three assists in 12 appearances this season, a phenomenal total for a team struggling near the bottom.
His brace at Craven Cottage was straight out of the top drawer, producing a moment of magic with a perfect first touch and finish to equalise, before lifting a second into the top corner. In this form, Gary O’Neil might find it tough to keep the 25-year-old.