Premier League Team of Boxing Day: Rooney, Costa and Alexis Sanchez Star
Welcome to the 18th 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 3-5-2).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Simon Mignolet and Armand Traore didn't make the grade, but we do have decent representation from Southampton, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation!
GK: Lukasz Fabianski, Swansea City
1 of 11
There were several good goalkeeping displays on Friday, but Lukasz Fabianski just pips Hugo Lloris and Rob Green to the post here.
The Poland international was the sole reason Swansea City were able to keep a clean sheet and win the game against Aston Villa, who dominated for long spells and can be considered unfortunate to come away with nothing.
Christian Benteke, in fine form, saw several super headers palmed away by Fabianski, including one at the death that confirmed the win.
CB: Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool
2 of 11
Liverpool's performance against Burnley, largely, was absolutely awful, but they held it together defensively and did enough to grind out a 1-0 win.
Key to that defensive effort was Mamadou Sakho, who has been superb since returning from injury and obscurity. He's a marked upgrade on Dejan Lovren.
Bar one slight error with a header leading to a Clarets chance, he looked dependable—a word not often used when describing competitors for his spot in the side.
CB: Toby Alderweireld, Southampton
3 of 11
With Jose Fonte missing on Friday, Toby Alderweireld took on the key role in defence in a three-man line. Flanked by Maya Yoshida and Florin Gardos (who started his first Premier League game), the Belgian looked mighty impressive throughout.
He had a shot tipped onto the bar early on then actually found the net late on to seal the victory, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 win to make sure of the points.
CB: John Terry, Chelsea
4 of 11
John Terry made it two goals in two games, tapping home from close range to open the scoring as Chelsea beat West Ham United in Boxing Day's early kick-off.
He also kept Andy Carroll fairly quiet—quite the feat, given the form of the English striker of late—and limited the Hammers to just a late flurry through Morgan Amalfitano when he was substituted on.
Impressive work from the stalwart.
LM: Ashley Young, Manchester United
5 of 11
Once again, Ashley Young excelled at left wing-back for Manchester United as he continues to adapt to a new role—a role that doesn't really suit him on paper.
But cutting in from the left and crossing with his right is a specialty of his, and surging forward from deep gives him space to maneuver and send the ball in.
Radamel Falcao is loving his deliveries.
CM: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
6 of 11
Wayne Rooney was in monstrous form for Manchester United on Friday afternoon, spearheading a comfortable victory for his side against Newcastle United.
Arriving late in the box is becoming a skill of his—imitating Frank Lampard, in a way—and his two-goal, one-assist masterclass simply showed his brilliance in a deeper role.
His ball for Robin van Persie's goal was absolutely sublime.
CM: Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
7 of 11
Once again, Nemanja Matic dominated in midfield for the league's best team. So once again, he features in our Team of the Week.
He dismissed an Alex Song-less West Ham United setup with ease and kept Stewart Downing very, very quiet. The consistency this man shows is just jaw-dropping.
RM: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
8 of 11
Very few Leicester City players have made our Teams of the Week this season, but the fleet-footed Riyad Mahrez is perhaps now head and shoulders above his colleagues talent-wise. We can't tar him with the same "below-average" brush.
The Algerian tortured Tottenham Hotspur's left flank and went about showing up Danny Rose's defensive concerns. He hit the woodwork early on and grabbed an assist, and only his team-mates' profligacy prevented him from clocking up two or three more.
AMC: David Silva, Manchester City
9 of 11
David Silva had one of those games again, leading Manchester City to victory over West Bromwich Albion at a snowy Hawthorns.
He creates and delivers in spades, and since he's started scoring at will, he's elevated his own level into the elite class. Another goal here iced the cake and secured a dominant victory.
He is just so good between the lines and outside the box.
CF: Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
10 of 11
Alexis Sanchez missed a penalty in tame fashion early during Arsenal's win over Queens Park Rangers on Friday, but he set about repenting and making up for his error during the rest of the match.
He reaffirmed his status as one of the Premier League's best, most dangerous dribbling threats, scoring a wonderful header, assisting Tomas Rosicky's strike and typically speeding past QPR's beleaguered midfield at will.
Another sublime display from the Chilean.
ST: Diego Costa, Chelsea
11 of 11
Diego Costa was at his livewire-like best against West Ham on Friday, causing James Collins and Co. no end of trouble. His late goal, sealing the 2-0 victory, oozed class as he beat three players not once but twice before sliding a finish home.
He missed a good chance earlier in the game, skying a low cross from Branislav Ivanovic, but the delivery from the right-back skipped up before it was hit.
