Premier League Team of Week: Lloris, Hazard, Lallana and Sanchez Star
Welcome to the 19th installment 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 4-2-3-1).
Papiss Cisse, Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling all managed to hit an opponent in the face this weekend, so perhaps unsurprisingly, they don't make the selection. But who joins Adam Lallana in the team? Read on to find out.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation!
GK: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
1 of 11
Louis van Gaal's Manchester United were all over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in the first half, but they couldn't find a way past that pesky Hugo Lloris.
The Spurs man was in fantastic form once again, denying striker after striker with stop after stop. His reflexes, safe hands on shots from distance and confidence claiming were crucial to Mauricio Pochettino's men nicking a point.
RB: Seamus Coleman, Everton
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Roberto Martinez won't have been impressed with much of Everton's display against Newcastle United this weekend, but one bright light did come in the form of Seamus Coleman.
The right-back looks fit, finally, and got forward superbly early on to provide Arouna Kone with an easy finish from a low cross. Used correctly, this dominant Irish full-back can be a real weapon. Martinez needs to unlock his brilliance on a more consistent basis if he wants to climb the table.
CB: Toby Alderweireld, Southampton
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Toby Alderweireld was in magnificent form at the back for Southampton on Sunday, withstanding severe pressure and earning heavy praise. The Press Association's Simon Peach was impressed by how well Alderweireld played:
"Toby Alderweireled is some defender. Best centre-back to wear a #SaintsFC shirt in some time.
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) December 28, 2014"
He was preferred as a physical presence against Diego Costa and did a great job ensuring he didn't roll the home side over and put Fraser Forster to the sword.
CB: Emre Can, Liverpool
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Emre Can, playing a slightly unfamiliar role at centre-back, brought some much-needed composure to Liverpool's defensive line on Monday night.
The German midfielder has found playing time hard to come by, but he has begun to impress and will now be a very difficult man to drop from the XI. He handled Swansea's attackers very well—so much so Jonjo Shelvey decided to elbow him in the face in the first half.
LB: Ben Davies, Tottenham Hotspur
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Ben Davies can officially consider the left-back job at Tottenham Hotspur his own. It took him the best part of four months, but he's wrestled it off Danny Rose, and the team look all the better for it.
A clean sheet against Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney was not achieved without its fair share of scares, but Antonio Valencia had a nothing game against the Welshman, who stood strong and composed under pressure.
DM: Carlos Sanchez, Aston Villa
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Aston Villa fans have been waiting for Carlos Sanchez to finally develop into the class of defensive midfielder they thought they'd bought, and at the exact halfway point in the Premier League season, there's a serious chance we've reached a turning point.
The Colombian was magnificent against Sunderland, monopolising the ball, executing tackles everywhere and running his socks off to cover for the red-carded Fabian Delph.
On Sunday, his nickname "La Roca" (The Rock) made perfect sense.
DM: David Jones, Burnley
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At the beginning of the season, David Jones excelled against Manchester United, chasing and harrying in midfield until his legs dropped off. He did the same to another team from Manchester this weekend, this time of the City variety, and is rewarded once again for his energy.
The Clarets refused to give in and be completely overwhelmed. Jones was key to the resistance, and that positivity and determination paid immense dividends in the end.
AM: Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
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"With Cazorla in this form, Mesut Ozil will do well to win back the No. 10 role when he returns from injury," remarked ESPNFC's James McNicholas following Arsenal's victory over West Ham United on Sunday.
The Spaniard has excelled of late in a more central role, and against the Hammers he continually drove forward and created chance after chance for team-mates. He won a penalty just before half-time, but rather than let Alexis Sanchez risk missing another, he grabbed it himself and fired home.
AM: Eden Hazard, Chelsea
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Eden Hazard was in mesmeric form once again vs. Southampton, jinking defenders and dodging tackles at every turn. As the Saints dropped into a low-block and defended their box, it became clear the Belgian was the only man on the pitch capable of worrying them.
His first-half goal ended up sealing a point, burning Maya Yoshida down the left, cutting inside, luring two defenders into missed tackles and curling a strike home.
Just sublime.
AM: Adam Lallana, Liverpool
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For the first time this season, Adam Lallana makes the Premier League Team of the Week. It's been a struggle for him since moving to Liverpool, but at the 12th attempt, he ran the show and deservedly walked away with the Man of the Match award.
His two-goal showing against Swansea City encompassed all that's good about him: He presses, works terrifically hard, dances around defenders and has an eye for a strike.
ST: Ashley Barnes, Burnley
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Burnley secured the result of the weekend by drawing against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings both played superbly up front in the upset.
It was difficult to choose between the two, but we've plumped for Barnes on the basis that he delivered the late strike and secured the shared spoils. It's a moment the 25-year-old will likely never forget.
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