Premier League Team of the Week 6: Dzeko, Zabaleta & WBA Stars Impress
Welcome to the sixth instalment of our Premier League Team of the Week for the 2014-15 season.
Here we analyse every game and pick out a star XI from the weekend's fixtures, choosing the best players to form a viable formation (in this case, a 4-4-2).
West Bromwich Albion's thrashing of Burnley is duly noted and rewarded, while Manchester City also have a few impressive representatives.
Read on for the selections.
GK: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
1 of 11
There were plenty of clean sheets around the league this weekend, but Hugo Lloris stole the spotlight in the north London derby, making several incredible saves.
Tim Howard impressed too, making one particular stop from Mario Balotelli that shocked the stadium, but he's been pipped by the Frenchman here.
RB: Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City
2 of 11
Pablo Zabaleta didn't grab a clean sheet this week, but he can thank new teammate Eliaquim Mangala for that rather than look at his own performance.
The Argentine was at his marauding best going forward, though, grabbing two assists and looking at optimal speed for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2014.
CB: Craig Dawson, West Bromwich Albion
3 of 11
West Bromwich Albion's goalscoring spree this weekend was started by centre-back Craig Dawson, who rose highest to head home from a corner.
He then contributed heavily to a quality Baggies' defensive effort—rarely seen in recent years, it must be said—as they shut out any chance of a Burnley comeback.
Some of this is on Sean Dyche—he needs a Plan B—but WBA were faultless all the same.
CB: Patrick McNair, Manchester United
4 of 11
Patrick McNair must have nerves of steel to come in and play alongside such a star-studded crew, and Wayne Rooney's silly red card hardly made his task any easier.
With a defensive crisis consuming Manchester United, the Northern Irishman came in for a surprise debut alongside Marcos Rojo in the heart of the defence and performed superbly.
One clearing header in particular was phenomenal.
LB: Ryan Bertrand, Southampton
5 of 11
Picking between Ryan Bertrand and Cesar Azpilicueta was tough this week, but we've opted for the former due to the meeker performance Aston Villa put up against the latter.
Bertrand was panned by Liverpool supporters when mentioned as a potential signing, but at St. Mary's he's been nothing short of brilliant so far.
He scored his first goal for the Saints this weekend as they beat Queens Park Rangers, 2-1.
CM: Mile Jedinak, Crystal Palace
6 of 11
There's life in the old dog yet, it seems, and Neil Warnock is reviving Crystal Palace in impressive, stubborn fashion.
No one gave him a chance of success when he succeeded Tony Pulis, but when you've got reliable midfield warriors like Mile Jedinak to lean on, you've always got a chance of three points.
The Aussie veteran netted his second goal of the season and controlled the centre this weekend.
CM: Etienne Capoue, Tottenham Hotspur
7 of 11
Etienne Capoue is thriving under Mauricio Pochettino, and his performance against Arsenal in the north London derby was another major step forward for him.
He helped guide young Ryan Mason through a tricky fixture against a top team, and he broke up play very well, totalling five tackes, per WhoScored.com.
The Frenchman has started every league game for Spurs so far this season.
Wing: Sadio Mane, Southampton
8 of 11
Welcome to the Premier League, Sadio Mane.
The Senegalese was an absolute menace as Southampton beat Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, though neutrals may take an early dislike to his propensity to flop about, so to speak.
He's so fast, direct and tough to deal with. He picked up an assist on his league debut and full-backs will not be looking forward to facing him.
Wing: Graham Dorrans, West Bromwich Albion
9 of 11
Graham Dorrans, playing loosely off the right for West Bromwich Albion in their 4-2-3-1 on Sunday, sliced and diced Burnley's defence to pieces.
He racked up two assists and added a goal of his own, torturing Ben Mee on the flank and serving up chances for Saido Berahino.
Dorrans is really enjoying himself under Alan Irvine.
ST: Saido Berahino, West Bromwich Albion
10 of 11
Alan Irvine thinks an England call-up is imminent for Saido Berahino off the back of his two-goal performance against Burnley on Sunday, per Sky Sports:
"If he keeps on playing like that and keeps on scoring goals, then he'll get all those rewards. I don't think Roy Hodgson will be looking and saying 'he's too young' or anything like that.
He'll put him in as he's shown alreadyif he feels he's the best player for the position.
"
ST: Edin Dzeko, Manchester City
11 of 11
Edin Dzeko isn't often associated with flashy goals, but the two strikes he netted against Hull City were absolute pearlers.
"Edin Dzeko with a superb goal for City. http://t.co/u27RyqFc9s
— Football Vines (@Vine_Football) September 27, 2014"
His first saw him cut inside and loop an incredible effort over Allan McGregor that stunned both home and away fans.
He's fully capable of scoring such goals, which is often forgotten about the Bosnian.
If you read and appreciate my work, I'd be grateful if you voted for me in the Best Established Football Writer category in the 2014 Football Blogging Awards here: http://bit.ly/1qTsc5S
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
