Premier League Team of Week: Ander Herrera, Howard, Ozil and Giroud Star
Welcome to the 31st 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 4-5-1).
There were a number of stunning performances, and competition for places in the midfield in particular was stern. Glenn Murray, Bafetimbi Gomis, Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin and several more were unfortunate to miss out.
It's worth noting before perusing the selections that scoring a wonder goal does not get you into the Team of the Week—we prefer 90-minute showings of excellence to one moment of brilliance. Sorry, Jermain, Charlie and Bobby.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation!
GK: Tim Howard, Everton
1 of 11
Phil Jagielka was given Goodison Park's official Man of the Match award on Saturday, but let's not kid ourselves: Tim Howard is the only reason Everton won against Southampton.
He produced two spectacular saves, pounding a swerving, vicious James Ward-Prowse shot away with firm fists after clawing a goal-bound Graziano Pelle flick off the goal line in the most jaw-dropping of circumstances.
Could this be the start of good run of form for the American?
RB: Hector Bellerin, Arsenal
2 of 11
Whoosh! Questions will be asked of Alberto Moreno and his defending (again), but let's also take a moment to appreciate Hector Bellerin's wicked, wrong-footed strike to open the scoring.
The Spaniard has come on leaps and bounds this season and has put in a strong performance in the defensive phase too. Arsene Wenger trusts him over Calum Chambers, and this 8-of-10 showing comes at just the right time—Mathieu Debuchy is returning to fitness.
CB: Scott Dann, Crystal Palace
3 of 11
Scott Dann rarely gets the acclaim he deserves, and he's been magnificent on a number of occasions this season since Alan Pardew took the reins at Crystal Palace.
On Monday night he shone at the back as the Eagles beat Manchester City 2-1, making a few important blocks and forcing Glenn Murray's opening goal with some opportunistic, poacherific work.
Given the paucity of options for England in central defence, you could do worse than Dann as a backup option.
CB: Jason Shackell, Burnley
4 of 11
Burnley defended defiantly at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and earned a creditable 0-0 draw. Spurs struggled to knit anything together offensively, but the Clarets stood firm and shut the door.
Picking between Michael Duff and Jason Shackell is tough as both were superb in marshalling Harry Kane, but Shackell edges it for a few key interventions and clearances at dangerous moments.
LB: Patrick van Aanholt, Sunderland
5 of 11
Patrick van Aanholt has had a tough season. He came into the Tyne-Wear derby fresh from a real beating at the hands of Charles N'Zogbia but genuinely excelled against Newcastle in the win.
He was just about everywhere on the pitch, making tackles, runs and clearances and darting into space. The Magpies pushed on in the second half in search of an equaliser, but the left flank was a no-go area as Van Aanholt shut it down.
DM: Esteban Cambiasso, Leicester City
6 of 11
Esteban Cambiasso narrowly beats out Francis Coquelin for the holding spot in our team after inspiring his Leicester City side to a much-needed victory.
The Argentine midfielder scored the opening goal of the game to set the King Power Stadium alight, and the quality of the strike only served to affirm his top-tier talent.
He then dug in to grind the game into submission, helping the Foxes to a vital three points.
CM: Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham
7 of 11
Cheikhou Kouyate is a real monster when he gets going, and he's impressed throughout his debut season in the Premier League with West Ham.
He's played in a variety of positions and roles and has excelled in all of them, beginning the campaign in a holding position, then deputising in defence and now bombing forward to great effect and scoring goals.
He netted one and hit the post against Leicester City.
CM: Ander Herrera, Manchester United
8 of 11
Ander Herrera continues to further his own cause for a permanent starting role in Manchester United's XI, scoring two goals in a sublime showing against Aston Villa. His excellence adds further mystery to why he was absent for so long.
He's quickly mastered the swept finish from just outside the box, making clever late runs to pick up passes and make room for shots. His connection with Juan Mata translates to the pitch; the duo look brilliant playing together.
RW: Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
9 of 11
Mesut Ozil cops a lot of stick off the Liverpool fanbase on social media, with many supporters relishing his slow start to life in the Premier League following an expensive move.
So to score an absolute peach of a free-kick from well outside the box against the club in question will have opened a few eyes, and his all-round performance was pretty stunning too.
Ozil is one of the form players in the league and shows no signs of slowing down.
LW: Eden Hazard, Chelsea
10 of 11
We're basically running out of superlatives for Eden Hazard. The biggest compliment we can give him is that he is, without doubt, the forerunner and only deserving winner of the Premier League Player of the Season award.
His dazzling performance against Stoke City once again led his side to a victory en route to lifting the title, and with Diego Costa injured again with a hamstring issue, the pressure falls on the Belgian to lead the charge.
He embraces it.
ST: Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
11 of 11
Olivier Giroud tormented Liverpool's defenders on Saturday and finally, after 91 minutes, scored a cracking goal to ice an impressive performance.
He linked play superbly throughout, gave Kolo Toure nightmares and made sure the Reds sorely missed the suspended Martin Skrtel. He was involved in the build-up to most goals and provided a platform for his teammates to play off.
