Premier League Team of Week for October 4-5: De Gea and Hazard Star
Welcome to the seventh 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 4-3-3).
Manchester United's strong showing against Everton rewards three players, Cesc Fabregas takes his customary slot on our selection, and many more are honoured.
Read on for the selections.
GK: David De Gea, Manchester United
1 of 11
David De Gea saved a penalty on the stroke of half-time to keep Manchester United in the lead, then put on his own personal show to ensure his side deflected any late Everton comeback attempts.
His athleticism and reflexes were firmly on show, tipping goal-bound shots high and wide.
RB: Rafael, Manchester United
2 of 11
Rafael put in a wonderful performance at right-back this weekend, making him the clear and obvious choice despite Branislav Ivanovic's strong showing.
The Brazilian looks to have worked extensively on his defensive skill set, and it's paying off: Several important tackles, interceptions and hooked clearances were made throughout the win over Everton.
His crossing has improved by leaps and bounds too.
CB: Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
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While Eliaquim Mangala looked awkward, rusty and took too many touches, Vincent Kompany excelled at the heart of the Manchester City defence on Saturday.
He snuffed out Aston Villa's attempted through balls into the path of Andi Weimann with expertise, reading and dealing with the danger quickly and efficiently throughout.
He's often more of a stand-off defender when partnered with Martin Demichelis, but at Villa Park, he played a slightly different role—and he played it well.
CB: Nathan Baker, Aston Villa
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Initially we believed Nathan Baker was sourcing power and defensive skill from his magnificent beard. Now, it appears he only shows up to perform when the Sky Sports cameras are present.
Being magnificent against Liverpool in a 5:30 p.m. kick-off was no fluke; in the same time slot against Manchester City, he was magnificent again despite leaking two late goals to lose.
In tight areas he's dominant, and aerially he does not lose.
LB: Danny Rose, Tottenham Hotspur
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We are 52 days into the Premier League in 2014-15, and Tottenham Hotspur's summer signing, Ben Davies, is still sitting on the bench waiting for his chance.
The reason? Danny Rose. A liability last year, he's taken the competition seriously this season and has dramatically improved as a result. Dusan Tadic has been destroying defences recently, but Rose kept him in check.
CM: Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
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We're getting bored of putting Cesc Fabregas in the Team of the Week, but until he slows down, we have no choice but to include him every time.
Against his former club Arsenal this weekend, he ignored the faint boos emanating from the away section and turned in yet another world-class performance. Never have we seen him work so hard off the ball to close gaps and mark out passing lanes.
CM: Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
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Liverpool disappointed again this weekend, but fans will assuredly tell you it's the three points that only ever mattered. True enough, and in its defence, this side is limping along until Daniel Sturridge returns.
Jordan Henderson, though, is a reliable figure who steps up when required. He was great in the engine room again, grabbed a silky assist for Adam Lallana's opener and bagged the second later on.
CM: Angel Di Maria, Manchester United
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Twitter was awash with praise for Angel Di Maria yet again on Sunday, with the Argentine excelling in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Everton.
The former Real Madrid man netted the opening goal of the game by rifling in a shot from just inside the box, grabbed an assist for Radamel Falcao's maiden strike and generally looked the best outfield player on the pitch as usual.
Wing: David Silva, Manchester City
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David Silva took 60 minutes to warm up against Aston Villa, but once he found his gear, he quickly took down a formerly resilient defensive line with ease.
His elusiveness between the lines is impossible to track, and he began appearing in gaps that defenders would swear weren't open just half a second prior.
The big storylines follow Yaya Toure's "return" and Sergio Aguero's goal, but Silva drew Villa out and and was responsible for the breakthrough.
Wing: Eden Hazard, Chelsea
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Eden Hazard continued his rich vein of dribbling form this weekend, only this time he added some end product to seal the deal.
He was brought down by Laurent Koscielny in the box in the first half, dusted himself and converted the penalty for the 1-0 lead. With Hazard, the want is always to see him taking over games like he did on Sunday; hopefully it's a platform for him to use.
ST: Steven Fletcher, Sunderland
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Welcome back, Steven Fletcher!
It's fantastic to see the Scot back to his goalscoring best—just two years ago he was among the most prolific in the league—and his two goals against Stoke City decided a close tie.
He also grabbed an assist, proving he's not just about the exceptional movement inside the box and rapier-like finishing skills.
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