Premier League Team of the Week: Martial, Moreno, Zouma and Son Star
Welcome to the sixth installment of B/R's Premier League Team of the Week series for 2015-16.
We analysed every game to pick out a star XI from the weekend's fixtures, choosing the best players to form a viable formation. Only the best players in each position from this week's action make the cut, leading to several tough decisions along the way.
It's a straight 4-4-2 with a workmanlike midfield and a proper strike pairing up top this week, with players from West Ham, Liverpool, Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth making the cut. We also have a loaded substitute's bench—there were so many excellent individual displays this weekend, particularly up front.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Adrian, West Ham
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Adrian put in another excellent performance in goal for West Ham United as they beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad.
The Spaniard mustered eight stops in total, per WhoScored.com, and although he was beaten by a nice Kevin De Bruyne strike just before half-time, he excelled between the sticks and played a crucial role at the end of the game as the pressure mounted.
West Ham Central tweeted "Adrian could save my parents marriage"—and they were probably only half-joking.
RB: Daryl Janmaat, Newcastle United
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The Netherlands have changed managers after a dismal Euro 2016 qualifying campaign under Guus Hiddink, with Danny Blind taking the reins. Daryl Janmaat, it seems, is no longer in favour.
"There is a new coach with a new vision and has his own preferences. Apparently I am not one of them," he told reporters ahead of the last international break, per the Mirror.
The Dutchman must now prove to Blind he's worth another look, and a good performance despite Newcastle United's loss to Watford this weekend will likely have piqued interest.
It was marauding, goalscoring display from the former Feyenoord man.
CB: Winston Reid, West Ham
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West Ham put in another stunning defensive effort to win their third away match in a row, and Winston Reid was central to it, deservedly earning Sky Sports' broadcast Man of the Match award.
After racing into a 2-0 lead, the Hammers were subjected to an enormous amount of pressure, with Kevin De Bruyne and Co. pushing and probing for a comeback. They managed one just before half-time but were shut out for the entirety of the second period, and Reid was the commander in the box—first to everything and comprehensive in every action.
CB: Kurt Zouma, Chelsea
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Kurt Zouma got the nod at centre-back this weekend ahead of John Terry for Chelsea, and he justified Jose Mourinho's faith with another excellent performance.
He scored a lovely header to break the deadlock, committed to his defensive duties with typical physicality and played an important role nullifying Theo Walcott on the shoulder thanks to his remarkable recovery pace.
Zouma was brought on at half-time against Manchester City several weeks ago, and his presence helped stymie the direct runs of Sergio Aguero. Mourinho tried it from the start this time, and it worked.
It seems extremely unlikely the Frenchman will be dropping back out of the XI any time soon.
LB: Alberto Moreno, Liverpool
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Alberto Moreno's been on the outside looking in to start the season, but he seized his midweek chance against Bordeaux and did enough to earn a start against Norwich City this weekend.
He was the best player on the pitch operating out of a left-wing-back role in a back three, buccaneering forward with pace and directness, making good use of the space afforded to him and delivering the assist for Danny Ings' goal.
Earlier in September, uMAXit Football's Michael Cox identified Moreno as a component Brendan Rodgers must try to incorporate, as the team had been screaming for some width. It appears the suggestion has been taken.
DM: Claudio Yacob, West Bromwich Albion
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It was a tough call between Claudio Yacob and Steven Fletcher here, but we've opted for the former just for the sheer physical impact of his performance in this weekend's Midlands derby.
Aston Villa vs. West Bromwich Albion is often a feisty affair, and the midfield quickly became a battleground, with Yacob rising to the fore by putting in tackles and blocks everywhere.
He made one particularly telling contribution to the game, blocking a goal-bound strike from Carles Gil inside the box, and a number of lower-key interventions that broke the game up just enough to leave the home side frustrated.
DM: Pedro Obiang, West Ham
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With Cheikou Kouyate missing, Pedro Obiang was handed a huge responsibility on Saturday: anchor West Ham's midfield and keep tabs on Kevin De Bruyne. With the Belgian in scintillating form, it was going to be a tough task.
De Bruyne did escape once to score, but otherwise, Obiang did just enough to quell one of the most dangerous creative talents in the league. His strength, aggression and studious tracking all impressed on the day.
AM/Wing: Matt Ritchie, AFC Bournemouth
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Matt Ritchie managed 15 goals and 17 assists in the Championship last season, per WhoScored.com, but it has taken him six games to register his first of either in the Premier League. Those expecting a stunning statistical season from the Scotsman have been left disappointed so far.
But he made up for it (and then some) with a brilliant display this weekend against Sunderland and crowned it with an absolutely spectacular goal. Chesting a clearance up to set himself from 30 yards, he proceeded to lash a left-footed effort into the top corner beyond the helpless Costel Pantilimon.
AM/Wing: Heung-Min Son
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Heung-Min Son excelled in Sunday afternoon's early kick-off, scoring the only goal of the game as Tottenham Hotspur overcame the stern challenge of Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.
The South Korean is under a lot of pressure following an expensive move from Bayer Leverkusen, but he has started in superb fashion, bringing positivity and flair to a previously stagnant midfield.
His goal was perhaps a touch fortunate, but it was still a just reward for his overall efforts in the game.
ST: Graziano Pelle, Southampton
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Graziano Pelle edges Odion Ighalo out for a starting spot in our Team of the Week, with his empowering, physical display impressing the floating voters during Sunday's prime-time kick-off.
The Italian became the first target striker to truly to take advantage of Daley Blind's size issues at centre-back, matching up against him and bullying him in the air. He was chesting balls down with ease and linking play superbly in the first half.
He managed two good goals and struck the post, too, leaving David De Gea helpless on both occasions with assured finishes.
ST: Anthony Martial, Manchester United
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Anthony Martial ended up a big winner on Sunday, further condemning his reputation as a "panic buy" by netting two goals at St Mary's Stadium as Manchester United defeated Southampton 3-2.
He's already impressed due to his intriguing combination of size, power and speed, and now he's showing the stone-cold calmness inside the penalty area that seasoned strikers of 30 years would kill for.
Martial gave the Saints defence the runaround and slotted both his finishes home so coolly, United fans are in overdrive and worshipping a new hero in red.
Bench
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GK: Jack Butland, Stoke City
CB: Ashley Williams, Swansea City
CM: Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
AM: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Wing: Sadio Mane, Southampton
ST: Callum Wilson, AFC Bournemouth
ST: Odion Ighalo, Watford
