Premier League Team of the Week – Delap, Salah, Burn | OneFootball

Our Premier League Team of the Week from the final action of the calendar year, featuring Liverpool’s unstoppable Egyptian King and a pair of Ipswich Town talents.

Goalkeeper: Christian Walton – Ipswich Town

Christian Walton has had to be patient for his chance at Ipswich this season but how he took it. The goalkeeper made his first appearance since the opening day and produced a man-of-the-match performance as the Tractor Boys upset Chelsea at Portman Road.

Walton, in just his third league appearance since the club’s promotion from League One, made four saves and four high claims on route to a clean sheet, including a fantastic stop to tip Cole Palmer’s effort onto the crossbar. The shirt is his to lose.

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool

How have Liverpool ended up here? Trent Alexander-Arnold is edging closer to an exit as his deal winds down, with Liverpool potentially losing the most unique full-back in the game. Against West Ham, he was at his creative best with one sublime pass releasing Mohamed Salah from deep in his own half. He also himself on the scoresheet with a deflected drive. Is it too late to thrash out a new deal?

Centre-back: Trevoh Chalobah – Crystal Palace

Trevoh Chalobah helped Crystal Palace to a win in their final fixture of the year, netting his third goal from a set-piece this season. Defensively sound throughout the win over Southampton, the Chelsea loanee has been a shrewd signing for the Eagles.

Centre-back: Dan Burn – Newcastle

A solid showing from a player who has been key to Newcastle’s upturn in form. Burn made six clearances, won four tackles and won 100% of his ground duels (6/6) as the Magpies won 2-0 at Manchester United. With a further five aerial duels won and a 92.1% pass completion, it was an accomplished showing from the towering defender. His move to a central role has helped solidify Eddie Howe’s depleted defence.

Left-back: Lewis Hall – Newcastle

Flew forward at every available opportunity during Newcastle’s impressive win at Manchester United. Hall hurtled forward to set up the opener with his arcing cross perfect for Alexander Isak to nod in the early opener at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old has come on leaps and bounds this season.

Midfield: Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool

A brilliant performance from the Argentine as Liverpool ran riot to win 5-0 at West Ham. His pass over the top led to Cody Gakpo’s goal and he was at the hub of almost everything positive for the Reds. He won the ball back in the build-up to Mohamed Salah’s goal and was outstanding on and off the ball. Mac Allister ended the contest with four tackles, seven duels won and three chances created.

Midfield: Morgan Gibbs-White – Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest continue to go from strength to strength and made it five wins on the spin at Everton. Morgan Gibbs-White sprinkled his class on the contest, with a superb pass helping create the opener for Chris Wood. He scored the second himself with a wonderful demonstration of composure, as the midfielder checked back with an exquisite touch before firing past Jordan Pickford.

Right-wing: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Mohamed Salah is simply unstoppable right now.

Salah helped Liverpool to an emphatic win at West Ham on a record-breaking night for the Egyptian. He scored one and created two more, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score and assist in the same game eight times in a campaign.

It’s still December.

He also became the fastest footballer in the league’s history to reach 30 goal involvements in a campaign, achieving the feat in just 18 appearances.

Left-wing: Rayan Ait-Nouri – Wolves

Ait-Nouri looked back to his best as Wolves picked up an important point at Tottenham. He picked out Hwang Hee-Chan for the opener with a well-worked set piece and added a second assist for the late equaliser. The Algerian’s pass found Jørgen Strand Larsen who fired in from a narrow angle. The Vitor Pereira era has started positively and Ait-Nouri’s return to form is encouraging.

Forward: Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest

Ended a three-game mini-drought in style with a lovely lobbed finish to open the scoring at Everton. It’s now 20 goals in 33 league games for Wood under Nuno Espirito Santo, who has become one of the most reliable forwards in the division. He completed a fine centre-forward display with the assist for Morgan Gibbs-White’s second.

Forward: Liam Delap – Ipswich Town

Liam Delap fired Ipswich Town to their first home win of the campaign against Chelsea. He won and converted a penalty for the opener and set up Omari Hutchinson to score the second. Throughout, he troubled Chelsea with powerful running and ball-carrying, offering an out-ball for the Tractor Boys. He’s thriving amid regular top-flight football.

Read – A best XI of footballers who have retired in 2024

See more – The highest percentage of goal involvement in a Premier League title-winning team

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