Premier League Team of Week 16: De Gea, Rooney, Hazard, Barkley Shine
Welcome to the 16th 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.)
Dejan Lovren missed the cut after another horrific performance in Liverpool's back line, but there is room for a number of match-winning stars and a few who don't often see their name mentioned around these parts.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation!
GK: David De Gea, Manchester United
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There can only be one goalkeeper in contention this week, despite Tom Heaton's brilliance for Burnley against Southampton. David De Gea was magnificent to preserve the shutout versus Liverpool on Sunday.
He produced three one-vs-one saves against Raheem Sterling, tipped a firm Mario Balotelli shot onto the bar and looked at his all-round, brilliant best throughout.
Pay the man!
RB: Antonio Valencia, Manchester United
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Antonio Valencia was a key factor in Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Liverpool this weekend, pushing on from right wing-back and destroying the Reds' left side—Alberto Moreno in particular.
The ground he made on the flanks and the subsequent crossing tore Liverpool's defence to shreds, and his low ball in for Wayne Rooney's opener was fantastic.
This is where Valencia is at his best: staying wide, using his pace and sending in crosses.
CB: Michael Keane, Burnley
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Southampton may be in dire form, but shutting them out for a clean sheet and a 1-0 victory is still a major achievement this season. Burnley's entire defence played a part, but Michael Keane in particular looked fantastic.
The Manchester United loanee was the Clarets' man of the match, as he matched up against Saints striker Graziano Pelle physically and kept the Italian quiet. The Lancashire Telegraph gave him an 8/10 rating for his performance, and we're inclined to agree.
CB: Michael Carrick, Manchester United
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Michael Carrick was very impressive for Manchester United on Sunday, playing as the middle centre-back in a 3-5-2 formation. It's not his natural position, but he's intelligent enough to make it work, as he combines astuteness with a strong reading of the game.
Carrick shut down Liverpool through the middle, and while Sterling conjured some chances for the Reds, he largely did so by picking on the outside centre-backs.
LB: Ben Davies, Tottenham Hotspur
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Ben Davies' return to the Liberty Stadium as a Tottenham Hotspur player went rather well considering how isolated he was at times. The Swansea goal came from his side, but Davies was entirely abandoned by Christian Eriksen and regularly faced a two vs. one.
He was strong throughout, though, and worked hard to make up for the lack of numbers in space. He produced one particular tackle on Wilfried Bony in the box that was as good as a goal and drew rapturous applause from the world over.
CM: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
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Manchester United's midfield went two vs. two on Sunday with Liverpool, and Wayne Rooney shined, as he dominated Steven Gerrard and Joe Allen.
Rooney mopped up all the loose balls, created chances, drove at the heart of Liverpool's formation and swept home that crucial, opening, Frank Lampard-esque goal on the way to a 3-0 victory.
CM: Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
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Santi Cazorla is in delightful form, and he continued his strong winter period by netting two goals in Arsenal's 4-1 rout of Newcastle United.
A delightful penalty caused several to gasp in appreciation, though one particular social media figure criticised it as a bully move direct toward a young, inexperienced 'keeper.
We waited a long time for a Cazorla Premier League goal, as the Spaniard went 10 games without. He now has three in two!
CM: Ross Barkley, Everton
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Bleacher Report's Jerrad Peters was hugely impressed with Ross Barkley on Monday night after Everton's 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers:
"The 21-year-old was by far the best player on the pitch at Goodison Park, and shortly after the half-hour mark, his left-footed drive opened the scoring after taking a slight glance off Mauricio Isla," Peters wrote.
"Overall, Barkley completed 87 percent of his passes, won three tackles in a duel with Yun Suk-Young and created a pair of goalscoring opportunities, according to Squawka."
Wing: Silvestre Varela, West Bromwich Albion
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Per BaggiesFacts.com, Silvestre Varela created more chances (three) than any other player on the pitch against Aston Villa on Saturday. He was the best player on the park, as West Bromwich Albion defeated their Midlands rivals 1-0.
The Portuguese winger, on loan from FC Porto, has had a slow start to Premier League life due to injury, but looks to finally be settling. The Dragoes will be delighted he's lighting it up now, though, as they'll want a fee for his permanent services.
Wing: Eden Hazard, Chelsea
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Eden Hazard ripped Hull City to shreds, scoring in the seventh minute to remove any lingering hopes of a clean sheet for Steve Bruce's men and then laying on an assist for Diego Costa to seal the 2-0 victory.
The Belgian played one of his best games from the left flank on the day, twisting and turning to give Hull right-back Ahmed Elmohamady all sorts of issues. Hazard also provided the all-important end product.
ST: Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
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Olivier Giroud's return to fitness and the Danny Welbeck signing have the Frenchman hungrier than ever for goals. His effortless flick to make it 3-0 to Arsenal on Saturday against Newcastle United was an ingenious piece of skill.
He managed two goals on the day before being substituted off to a standing ovation late on. This performance was in stark contrast to last week's, which was, well, pretty poor.
