English Premier League Team of the Week

Week 23 of the English Premier League is in the books, and some typically enticing fixtures did not fail to enthrall.

Derbies served up the theme of the weekend as two from London and one from the Midlands captivated our attentions, but both Swansea and Liverpool served up attacking delights themselves.

Read on to see who made the collection this time around.

GK—Julio Cesar, QPR

Another week, another awesome display from Julio Cesar.

He looks flashy because he stays on his line like Shay Given and fails to relieve pressure but still manages to limit teams to very few goals.

An agile performance from the Brazilian rescued Queens Park Rangers a point under some severe pressure at the Boleyn Ground.

Cesar narrowly beats out David De Gea here.

RB—Rafael, Manchester United

Rafael was not his attacking self on Sunday, but that was largely by design.

Sir Alex Ferguson drew up a crafty scheme to nullify Gareth Bale which involved Rafael honing his intent, and to be fair he performed excellently.

He's never been a good defender but continues to improve each game this season. Holding the Welshman in check is a real achievement.

CB—Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United

Another who was heavily involved in stopping Gareth Bale dictate, Rio Ferdinand's positional excellence was key to Manchester United holding on so long at White Hart Lane.

Later in the game, when it seemed Fergie's side were destined for three points, Ferdinand made an unbelievable block on Clint Dempsey when the American seemed certain to score.

The ex-England international was an invisible star today.

CB—Ron Vlaar, Aston Villa

A Ron Vlaar-less Aston Villa would have lost their game at the Hawthorns despite taking a commanding 2-0 lead.

The Dutchman's return added steel to the back line and resolve to the team's heart as they held on for a point in the all-important Midlands derby.

He made his debut in the 3-5-2 formation Paul Lambert turns on and off and dealt with Romelu Lukaku as well as anyone possibly can. He makes everyone around him better.

Vlaar tips Winston Reid here as this was a must-not lose game.

LB—Glen Johnson, Liverpool

The more Glen Johnson plays as a left-back, the more impressive he is.

With Jose Enrique still out, Andre Wisdom took to the right shifting his colleague to the opposite side, and Johnson comprehensively owned the left flank once again.

His presence allowed Luis Suarez to come inside with regularity and wreak havoc.

CM—Yohan Cabaye, Newcastle United

What a return for the Frenchman, despite the very disappointing loss his team incurred at the hands of Reading.

He settled back in seamlessly despite missing two months of action and dictated the play with intelligent football. His goal was wonderful—even if the wall parted like the Red Sea to allow it through—and the Magpies suffered visibly without him on the pitch.

Things may start to look up now he's back.

CM—Jonathan De Guzman, Swansea City

We talk about Michu, but he's not the only astute signing Michael Laudrup made this summer.

Jonathan De Guzman is flying under the radar despite putting consistently excellent performances, and his two-goal haul against Stoke City on Saturday continued his rise to prominence.

His free kick was wonderful, and he found himself in the right place at the right time for his second.

CM—Steven Gerrard, Liverpool

Steven Gerrard took an insane 129 touches of the ball in a dominant display during a 5-0 win over Norwich City, and the continued use of Jordan Henderson as a No. 10 allowed him to continue his great form in a deep-lying role.

At one stage this season, Gerrard was a poor performer in need of a rest. What a turnaround.

RW—Aaron Lennon, Tottenham Hotspur

While Gareth Bale was shut down on the left due to Manchester United focusing most of their energy on him, Aaron Lennon was the obvious benefactor.

The English No. 7 tormented Patrice Evra for long periods and eventually came up with a superb bit of play for the goal.

Most other wingers would take a desperation shot when the ball falls to them in the box 92 minutes in, but Lennon had the presence of mind to find Clint Dempsey six yards out in space.

ST—Steven Fletcher, Sunderland

There were a few good striking displays this weekend, and we've gone for Steven Fletcher here.

His brace secured Sunderland a hugely important win at the DW Stadium, and what about the finish on that second goal? Looked effortless, but it couldn't have been more in the corner.

The Scot narrowly beats out Adam Le Fondre here, but the Reading striker could have easily featured.

LW—Luis Suarez, Liverpool

Luis Suarez, shifted wide of the centre-forward role he's become accustomed to over the last four months, performed admirably from the left flank.

Glen Johnson single-handedly won the battle for the touchline, allowing his Uruguayan colleague to roam inward and cause havoc.

He showed his typical never-say-die attitude, bagged his customary goal against Norwich City and continued to show a wonderful understanding with Daniel Sturridge despite the partnership being in its infancy.

Bench

The sheer quantity of superlative displays this weekend has prompted us to do a first-ever substitute bench.

GK—David De Gea, Manchester United

DEF—Andre Wisdom, Liverpool

DEF—Ben Davies, Swansea City

DEF—Winston Reid

MID—Ramires, Chelsea

MID—David Silva

FW—Adam Le Fondre

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