Premier League Team of Week 13: Aguero, Carrick, Cazorla and Sterling Shine
Welcome to the 13th 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.)
Glen Johnson's goalscoring glory doesn't excuse a rough showing defensively, but another full-back—West Ham United's Aaron Cresswell—who found the net makes the cut. Who else joins Cresswell and Man City striker Sergio Aguero as we begin the crazy footballing month that is December?
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation!
GK: Tom Heaton, Burnley
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Tom Heaton made several key stops to keep Burnley in the game against Aston Villa on Saturday, as it was down to the goalkeeper in the first half to keep the Clarets within touching distance.
A strong save to deny Andi Weimann in the 40th minute prevented a 2-0 scoreline and, late on, Heaton got down well to stop Jack Grealish's excellent volleyed effort to preserve the point for Burnley.
RB: Santiago Vergini, Sunderland
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Southampton have come up against two absolutely inspired right-back performances in their last two weeks, with Aston Villa's Alan Hutton and now Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City nullifying the Ryan Bertrand-Sadio Mane combination.
But we've picked a full-back from another side in red and white stripes to focus on, with Sunderland's Santiago Vergini excelling against the fearsome Eden Hazard. He kept the Belgian winger very quiet and even skinned him once going forward with a delightful piece of skill.
CB: Chris Smalling, Manchester United
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Chris Smalling isn't a popular figure around Old Trafford following his stupid dismissal in the Manchester derby, but a strong performance against Hull City goes some way toward making up for it.
His goal opened the scoring to a 3-0 victory, and whatever the Tigers threw at him defensively—which admittedly wasn't tonnes—he handled with aplomb.
"Better," as Andy Townsend would say.
CB: Sylvain Distin, Everton
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One player who really caught the eye at White Hart Lane on Saturday was Sylvain Distin, despite him being on the losing side.
Everton's forwards struggled and the midfield lacked sharpness, but Distin looked alert and up to the task of stopping everything that came his way. His timing in the tackle was superb, and it's crazy to think he turns 37 years of age this month!
LB: Aaron Cresswell, West Ham United
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Aaron Cresswell has emerged as something of a weapon for West Ham United at the left-back slot, and he scored his first Premier League goal on Saturday to decide the tie against Newcastle United.
His defending was also hugely impressive throughout, as he guarded his back-post and stopped crosses to preserve the Hammers' 1-0 victory. All-round, an excellent performance in every third. His manager Sam Allardyce surely was delighted with his young defender.
DM: Michael Carrick, Manchester United
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Michael Carrick impressed everyone on Saturday during United's 3-0 win over Hull City, with The Republik of Mancunia's Tim Simon waxing lyrical about his fluid, roaming performance:
"This was a game which suited the England international perfectly as he was given time and space on the ball all afternoon to dictate the tempo of the game. …
…They have to keep him fit in Blind’s absence as if he was to pick up a knock, the team would once again lack balance in midfield.
"
Strong on the ball, key to a clean sheet and key to the ease at which Manchester United played.
DM: Lee Cattermole, Sunderland
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Lee Cattermole is due to pick up the North East Football Writers' Player of the Year award on Sunday. He rubber-stamped that decision with a strong performance here.
Any clean sheet against Chelsea is going to rely quite heavily on a defensive midfield workhorse, and Cattermole was his typical bullish self in closing out space and chances to limit the Blues' attacking talents. Due in large part to Cattermole's performance, Sunderland managed to hold off Chelsea for the 0-0 draw.
Wing: Joe Cole, Aston Villa
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Joe Cole earned a surprise start against Burnley for Aston Villa on Saturday. As the news filtered through, Twitter erupted into laughter.
But until being taken off in the 67th minute—solely due to fitness concerns—he looked a class apart. Wreaking havoc in the Clarets' defence, he scored Villa's only goal and teed up his forwards for several chances.
There's life in the old dog yet, it seems.
Wing: Raheem Sterling, Liverpool
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Raheem Sterling put in an excellent all-round performance on Saturday in a 1-0 win against Stoke City, with vital actions at both ends of the pitch.
He managed a clearance off the line as the Potters threatened aerially and slipped Lucas Leiva through one-on-one only for the Brazilian to muff the chance.
It was the unlikely source of Glen Johnson who won it for the Reds, but Sterling was the best player.
AMC: Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
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With apologies to Tottenham's Harry Kane, who was superb against Everton, Santi Cazorla takes the attacking role in our midfield.
The Spaniard delivered the game-winning assist for Danny Welbeck against West Bromwich Albion, drifting wide and crossing with his left foot. It prompts the question: Why doesn't he do that more often? He's so two-footed; it'd be a great weapon for Arsenal to have.
Arsene Wenger will be hoping this is a sign that the diminutive Spaniard is back in form.
ST: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
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Sergio Aguero was simply irresistible against Southampton, and while he didn't score and missed a one-on-one with Fraser Forster, he did wreak havoc with his creativity.
He clocked two assists—one where he dragged the entire Saints team to him and freed up Yaya Toure for a shot, the other a long run and pass for Gael Clichy on the counter-attack.
He also should have had a penalty in the first half after Jose Fonte chopped him down.
