Premier League Team of Week: Silva, Ander Herrera, Ibe and Nasri Star
Welcome to the 26th instalment of our Premier League Team of the Week for the 2014-15 season.
We analysed every game to pick out a star XI from the weekend's fixtures, choosing the best players to form a viable formation (in this case, a 4-4-2).
Tim Howard didn't make it after two costly blunders cost his team two points—no surprises there—but there are representatives from West Ham United, Liverpool, Swansea City and Manchester City, of course.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation!
GK: Simon Mignolet, Liverpool
1 of 11
Simon Mignolet was at the centre of one of many controversial moments during Liverpool's win over Southampton on Sunday, handling the ball outside the box after he'd chested it accidentally into his own arm.
Still, we're not ones to take away from a brilliant performance, and in some truly awful conditions, the Belgian once again came to the fore with a commanding display.
Mignolet is now tied for second in Premier League clean sheets (10) with West Brom's Ben Foster, trailing just Southampton's Fraser Forster (12).
Thibaut Courtois has a shout for a spot here, but this weekend featured a few stellar goalkeeping displays.
RB: Jordon Ibe, Liverpool
2 of 11
Jordon Ibe's spectacular, remarkable rise continues. Since returning from loan at Derby at the turn of the year, he's been excellent whenever he's played.
At times, it's as if the Liverpool doctors have simply cloned Raheem Sterling, as the young man possesses immense speed, dribbling ability, football IQ and a surprising amount of strength considering his size.
He was superb at right-wing-back against Southampton on Sunday.
CB: Per Mertesacker, Arsenal
3 of 11
This is how you respond to your manager buying a £11-plus million player in your position in the January transfer window.
Gabriel Paulista arrived from Villarreal and kept a clean sheet in his first game against Middlesbrough, but Per Mertesacker—the man perceived to be under threat from the Brazilian—performed superbly at Selhurst Park on Saturday to help secure a tough 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
It was by no means comfortable, and Arsenal did concede late to Glenn Murray, but Mertesacker finally stood tall among his peers.
CB: Martin Skrtel, Liverpool
4 of 11
Liverpool struggled at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday, and the kindest way to describe the 2-0 victory might just be the old classic: "smash and grab."
Emre Can, moved to the left side of the line, and Dejan Lovren, introduced on the right side, had trouble all day dealing with the pace and power of the Saints' attacking options.
Luckily, Martin Skrtel was in impeccable form, heading everything clear and dominating an admittedly tired Graziano Pelle.
LB: Aaron Cresswell, West Ham United
5 of 11
Aaron Cresswell delivered the cross for the opening West Ham goal, lifting a perfect effort into the box and allowing his team-mate Cheikhou Kouyate to slam a header home.
Throughout, his energy, committed running and calmness on the ball shone through. Much like on the opening day of the season in the same fixture, in which Cresswell was a standout performer, he gave Tottenham Hotspur an examination on the left flank and impressed the neutral spectators.
Wing: David Silva, Manchester City
6 of 11
David Silva ripped Newcastle United to shreds on Saturday evening, continuing his genuine improvement in form by capping the game with two goals.
He was quietly man of the match against Stoke City at the Britannia in City's previous league outing and followed that up with a stunning showing, adding an assist to his goals and earning an early substitution to rest ahead of the critical match against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
CM: Ki Sung-Yueng, Swansea City
7 of 11
Swansea completed the double over Manchester United on Saturday with a 2-1 victory at the Liberty Stadium. Ki Sung-yueng was key to the win—just as he was in the first tie on the opening day.
He scored the equaliser just minutes after Ander Herrera had given the visitors the opening goal, sucking the joy out of Louis van Gaal's short-lived lead.
The South Korean impressed in possession alongside Jack Cork and provided the usual calm composure his midfield thrives on.
CM: Ander Herrera, Manchester United
8 of 11
Why doesn't this man play more often?
Louis van Gaal has been reluctant to start Ander Herrera for quite some time now, preferring any number of other combinations in midfield despite playing with four of them in that position at times.
The Spaniard finally earned a start following a goal against Preston North End in the FA Cup, and he rewarded the faith with another strike to give the Red Devils the lead.
He also made a goal-line clearance and covered his usual lion's share of ground. Stellar work ethic.
Wing: Samir Nasri, Manchester City
9 of 11
Since Samir Nasri has returned to the Manchester City setup following injury, it has been a far better outfit. We saw against Chelsea how it struggles, at times, without his presence.
His performance against Newcastle United was super, and his goal, pushed right into the top of the net after a beautiful dummy in the box to fool the defender, was the icing on the cake.
He was a threat throughout and is starting to re-emerge as one of the league's best creative players.
Edin Dzeko, Manchester City
10 of 11
It was a straight shot between Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero for this spot, and while the Argentinian impressed many once again, we've opted for his more unsung counterpart.
This performance from Dzeko is the way to respond if your manager decides to sign a £25 million striker widely perceived to be your "replacement." With Wilfried Bony in the stands and ready for action for the first time, the current incumbent put on a show.
His control and finish for his goal was astonishing, and his play throughout in linking and creating space was phenomenal.
Diafra Sakho, West Ham
11 of 11
Diafra Sakho proved once again he's clearly one of the most shrewd signings of the 2014-15 season, putting on a movement clinic up front for West Ham at White Hart Lane.
"Diaf makes such intelligent runs, so often," West Ham United media officer Rob Pritchard tweeted. "It's no coincidence he is in the right place as often as he is. His movement is fantastic."
He bagged a goal from an absurdly acute angle in the second half to put the Hammers 2-0 up on the day and looked a threat throughout—though he should have squared to Enner Valencia minutes before the goal rather than taken a shot on himself.
