Premier League Team of Week: Giroud, Fellaini, Forster and Skrtel Star
Welcome to the 29th installment 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).
Aston Villa's 4-0 win over Sunderland ensures three Claret and Blue players make the grade, but none from the north east. Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Southampton are all represented too.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation!
GK: Fraser Forster, Southampton
1 of 12
Fraser Forster received the official Man of the Match award for his display at Stamford Bridge—a telling factor in how the game his side played against Chelsea eventually swayed.
After failing to take their chances up front, Southampton retreated into a low block and defended for their lives for the final 10 minutes. Forster came up with the goods, making three or four point-blank saves to deny Eden Hazard, Loic Remy and Co.
The big bear-like 'keeper just blocks everything in his path!
RB: Leandro Bacuna, Aston Villa
2 of 12
Tim Sherwood told the Birmingham Mail this weekend that he practically had to teach Leandro Bacuna how to play right-back—funny, considering he's had spells there before under Paul Lambert.
Anyway, the Dutchman played superbly in the 4-0 destruction of Sunderland, clipping in two crosses that were converted to goals—one low and one high, both to Christian Benteke.
The defensive side to his game is also improving, and Sherwood now has a big decision to make when Alan Hutton returns from suspension. Does he walk back into the side?
CB: Chris Smalling, Manchester United
3 of 12
It's amazing what a little confidence can spark, isn't it?
Chris Smalling looked like Franz Beckenbauer on Sunday afternoon, waltzing through Tottenham Hotspur's midfield and avoiding their pressing attempts with consummate ease. He brought the ball forward, initiated attacks and was never caught out of position.
Perhaps more importantly, though, he kept Harry Kane miraculously quiet. The soon-to-be England international saw very little of the ball and fashioned just one chance late on. Credit Smalling for that.
CB: Martin Skrtel, Liverpool
4 of 12
Martin Skrtel left the field on a stretcher last week against Blackburn Rovers, but he took just a week to recover from a head injury and returned to fine form here.
He was stellar in the middle of Liverpool's back three, dominating aerially and bailing Brendan Rodgers' men out with some last-gasp interventions. Emre Can did not impress, and Mamadou Sakho looked iffy, but Skrtel, the reliable Slovak, ensured Liverpool collected another clean sheet.
LB: Ryan Bertrand, Southampton
5 of 12
Ryan Bertrand's first return to Stamford Bridge as an opposition player was a happy one, as he tormented Chelsea's right side with constant forays forward.
He got in behind the defence several times early on after re-establishing some excellent link-up play with the returning Dusan Tadic and fired in a few excellent crosses to cause trouble.
Wing: Charles N'Zogbia, Aston Villa
6 of 12
When Charles N'Zogbia was announced as a starter for Aston Villa against Sunderland, a few fans raised some valid concerns. A good, albeit shortened second half against West Bromwich Albion aside, is "Zoggy" really starting ahead of January addition Carles Gil?
Fears of a poor decision by Tim Sherwood were dispelled almost immediately, though, as the Frenchman tore through the Black Cats' defence all game long. He had a hand in two of the goals, despite collecting just the solitary assist.
He could be a real weapon in the fight for survival.
CM: Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United
7 of 12
Tottenham Hotspur simply didn't have a plan for Marouane Fellaini, and it showed in the result: 3-0.
He dominated the centre of the park and caused havoc in the final third, with every ball hoofed into the air directed toward his chest—and we know, by now, that it sticks almost every time.
Fellaini scored the opener, set up the second with a header across goal and never let Spurs settle. Ryan Mason didn't know what had hit him.
CM: Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
8 of 12
In his last game against Chelsea, Morgan Schneiderlin endured a difficult afternoon and eventually received his marching orders for a second yellow card. It encapsulated a period of frustration for him, battling injuries as well as an enforced time out.
But Sunday was a rather different day.
He combined for 19 tackles and interceptions, per WhoScored.com, in a stunning performance that affirms his talent. He dominated centrally, bossed Nemanja Matic with ease and snuffed out attack after attack after attack.
He's a £30-35 million defensive midfielder, and he's going to make Southampton a lot of money if he leaves.
Wing: Yannick Bolasie, Crystal Palace
9 of 12
Edging out his goalscoring colleague Wilfried Zaha is Yannick Bolasie, who essentially decided Crystal Palace's bout with Queens Park Rangers in the first half on his own.
Quick passes out to the DR Congo international allowed him time and space to beat poor Darnell Furlong every time; two low crosses from the same position saw the Eagles procure two goals in 20 minutes.
Game, set and match.
ST: Gabby Agbonlahor, Aston Villa
10 of 12
Gabby Agbonlahor built on an excellent showing in the FA Cup against West Bromwich Albion—a match in which he dominated, but he did not score—by netting two against Sunderland in ruthless fashion.
He's an instinctive finisher, and Tim Sherwood has simplified his role up front. Now playing as an out-and-out striker rather than a wide man, he's thriving linking up with Christian Benteke, who is unlucky not to feature here.
ST: Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
11 of 12
Olivier Giroud's performance against West Ham United likely stands as one of his best ever in an Arsenal shirt. He applied himself tirelessly and continued a wonderful personal streak of excellent showings.
His link-up play with Aaron Ramsey and Co. was jaw-dropping at times, and his goal—smashed home via the post at the speed of light—was one to watch over and over in amazement.
Second XI
12 of 12
Sometimes, when there are just too many amazing performances, we select an alternate XI. This happens to be one of those weeks:
GK: Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea
RB: Joel Ward, Crystal Palace
CB: Jores Okore, Aston Villa
CB: Gary Cahill, Chelsea
LB: Neil Taylor, Swansea City
CM: Michael Carrick, Manchester United
CM: Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
AM: Juan Mata, Manchester United
Wing: Eden Hazard, Chelsea
Wing: George Boyd, Burnley
ST: Christian Benteke, Aston Villa
