Premier League Team of Week: Pelle, Terry, Stones and McCarthy Shine
Welcome to the 34th 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 3-5-2).
It's a very "alternative" team this week, as we feature many players from clubs battling at the wrong end of the table. For once, there's no Eden Hazard or Francis Coquelin, so get your teeth stuck into some slightly different choices.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
For a look at criteria for inclusion, please see our selections from early April.
GK: Adrian, West Ham
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Adrian kept a clean sheet and saved a penalty on Saturday vs. Queens Park Rangers in a 0-0 draw, making him the obvious choice for the goalkeeper slot.
His West Ham United team-mates may have given up on the season, but he hasn't. He's beginning to garner a bit of a reputation for saving spot-kicks, and to stop one from Charlie Austin is some feat.
RWB: Marc Albrighton, Leciester City
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For the second consecutive week, Marc Albrighton makes our Team of the Week and enters the setup at right-back. Honestly, the world's gone mad.
It's a Lazarus-like rise from the player to match the rise of his team (currently 17th). He's playing in a new role—he's never previously played wing-back in his career—but excelling as it requires his best attributes: crossing, running and a bit more running.
He set up Leicester City's winning goal on Saturday and helped the team to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 toppling of Burnley.
CB: John Terry, Chelsea
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John Terry played superbly during Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, and although the match wasn't the greatest in terms of entertainment value, Jose Mourinho will be delighted with the clean sheet and draw.
Addressing the criticism that Chelsea are boring, Terry told Dominic Fifield of The Guardian:
"We are definitely not boring, and if we do go on to win (the title), nobody’s going to remember the performances when perhaps it’s not been that exciting. We’ve dug deep and other teams haven’t, and that is why they are so far behind us. Possession is great. We could see that from the Manchester United game last week. Possession and tippy-tappy football’s great, but if you are not winning games you’re not going to win the league.
"
With a 10-point gap at the top going into the day, the league-leading Blues only needed a point, and Mourinho set up his side to defend deep and counter-attack—Terry's favourite dance. He was impenetrable in the centre of defence.
CB: Robert Huth, Leicester City
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Robert Huth moving on loan to Leicester City in January is a deal many won't have noticed, but given the effect the German has had in the East Midlands, it's got to be a contender for low-key signing of the season.
Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has switched to three at the back and given Huth a central role, effectively copying what Brendan Rodgers has done for Martin Skrtel this season in Liverpool. It limits the needs from him and allows him to be big, bruising and dominant in the air.
A perfect match.
On Saturday, Huth helped lead Leicester to a potentially vital 1-0 victory at fellow relegation strugglers Burnley. According to WhoScored.com, the German recorded a massive 15 clearances while compiling an overall rating of 8.12.
CB: John Stones, Everton
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Everton's disappointing season has meant very little light has been shone upon their promising players, allowing John Stones' usurping of Sylvain Distin to fly somewhat under the radar.
But Roberto Martinez's best kept secret is now out in the open: Stones, a brilliant young defender, is carving out a promising career at the top level and his goalscoring performance against Manchester United was near perfect in the 3-0 victory.
He was in the way of everything and defiantly blocked shots and passes all afternoon.
LWB: Robbie Brady, Hull City
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Robbie Brady produced a brilliant performance for Hull City at a genuine time of need for the club. A win at Crystal Palace was an absolute must, given the horrendous run of fixtures they will face to end the season.
He served up an assist for one of Dame N'Doye's key goals in the 2-0 win and contributed defensively at a tough stadium to play in. It marks a good return during an injury-plagued year for him.
CM: James McCarthy, Everton
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James McCarthy was absolutely fantastic as Everton beat Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday, putting in a Man of the Match-worthy performance.
His opening goal came from a searing counter and a stumbling finish, and he was destructive and proactive in midfield throughout. It prompted Football Radar's Jack Rathborn to label him as "one of Premier League's most complete centre-midfielders"—a sentiment tough to argue with based on this display.
CM: Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
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Per the Daily Echo, Morgan Schneiderlin left St. Mary's with his knee in a brace after limping off late in the day on Saturday during his team's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Here's hoping it's not a serious injury.
Up until being replaced by Harrison Reed, he was in spectacular form. He and colleague Toby Alderweireld nullified Spurs' Christian Eriksen, and his passing—both short and long—looked as fantastic as ever.
He achieved Goal's Man of the Match award with a 4.5-star (out of five) performance.
AMC: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea City
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At his finest, Gylfi Sigurdsson is like quicksilver when dancing past challenges and coasting into space. He just has a knack for it.
His odd-looking delivery from a corner early on allowed Nelson Oliveira to head home to level the score against Newcastle United, then the Iceland international produced a brilliant run and accurate finish to crown a brilliant counter-attacking move. His efforts led Swansea to a 3-2 win on Saturday.
He started so strongly but tailed off, and now he's finally looking ominous once again.
ST: Dame N'Doye, Hull City
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Dame N'Doye bagged his fourth and fifth Premier League goals of the season as Hull City shocked Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, 2-0. Christian Benteke was in fine form at the Etihad Stadium later in the day for Aston Villa, but N'Doye pips him to a spot in the side.
The team signed him to score the goals that would keep Hull safe, and his brace against Crystal Palace gives them a sliver of a chance. His second on the day was particularly well taken, as he smashed a good finish into the corner on the run.
ST: Graziano Pelle, Southampton
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As bad as Federico Fazio seems to be against big, strong strikers—a genuine surprise, given he is over 6'4"—Graziano Pelle played fantastically well against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The Italian rose like a salmon to head home from Shane Long's right-wing cross in the second half to give his side the lead again, and it was he who had stolen in to poke home in the first period after Ben Davies was caught dawdling.
Those were much-needed goals for the target man.
