Premier League Team of the Week: Sterling, Wijnaldum, Sissoko Star
Goals rained down on the Premier League this weekend, showcasing some of the division's best attacking talents and putting defensive lines to the sword. Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, West Ham and Newcastle United all netted three or more as they demolished their opponents.
It makes for a rather exciting, inventive, attack-minded Team of the Week, with few defenders looking capable of making the cut and plenty of stellar attackers failing to. Competition was so high even the likes of Mesut Ozil, Ander Herrera, Wilfried Bony and Aaron Ramsey missed out on a spot.
As always, we've selected the best players from a thrilling gameweek and slotted them into a workable fomation—on this occasion, a 4-2-3-1.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Simon Mignolet, Liverpool
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"[Simon] Mignolet saved them," admitted Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino in his post-match press conference, lamenting the fact Spurs had failed to take three points from their encounter with Liverpool on Saturday.
Indeed, the Belgian bailed the Liverpool defence out several times late in the first half, palming Clinton Njie's curling effort wide and stopping Harry Kane in a one-on-one chance.
Mignolet has long been thought to be a weak link in Liverpool's team, but performances such as this—on his new manager's maiden game in charge—will only help curry favour.
RB: Hector Bellerin, Arsenal
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Hector Bellerin enjoyed the physical battle Watford offered on Saturday evening, grinding through his defensive work and bursting forward with regularity.
The Spaniard did well considering his right-sided centre-back, Per Mertesacker, endured an awful evening (lunging in and committing high, missing challenges and leaving space). The 20-year-old was given a big job but pulled it off in style.
To add the icing on the cake, Bellerin assisted the Gunners' third goal with a forceful run and cross.
CB: Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool
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Mamadou Sakho put in a stellar performance during Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Often sidelined by former manager Brendan Rodgers, despite being the club's best centre-back, he's off to an excellent start under new man Jurgen Klopp.
The Frenchman is often derided for a lack of ability on the ball, but look closely and you'll see those accusations are patently false. He rarely—if ever—gives it away, turns well under pressure and injects moves from the back with momentum.
On Saturday, he spent the afternoon coolly chesting the ball down under pressure, beating the press, then sparking attacking moves.
CB: Jonny Evans. West Bromwich Albion
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The Birmingham Mail praised Jonny Evans for another "excellent" performance this weekend, revelling in his commanding, assured display in the heart of the defensive line.
The Northern Irishman was forced off with an injury in the Baggies' last game against Crystal Palace, and the defence quickly fell into a state of disarray, missing his intriguing blend of tactical awareness and physical ability. Here, both were on full display as West Brom registered another clean sheet.
So far, it looks as though manager Tony Pulis' decision to ship Joleon Lescott out to create room for Evans was a masterstroke.
LB: Marcos Rojo, Manchester United
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Left-back was a tough position to fill this week after very few in the position shone, but Marcos Rojo did enough during Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Everton to get the nod.
As ever with Rojo, he was the inverse of what you'd expect: A rampaging presence pushing forward with the ball at his feet but a little suspect defensively at times.
The 25-year-old got caught out a few times in behind, but he made up for it with a stunning cross for Ander Herrera's goal.
CM: Morgan Schneiderlin, Manchester United
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Right before the international break, Louis van Gaal made the strange decision to leave Morgan Schneiderlin on the bench against Arsenal. They promptly lost 3-0 and were overrun in midfield, and fans were left questioning why on earth the Frenchman had been dropped for such a game.
No such mistake was made twice; on Saturday Schneiderlin started, and he put in a brilliant display at the base of Manchester United's midfield.
Closing off lanes, breaking up counters and passing cleanly, he put in the sort of performance that reminds you why he cost so much—because he's brilliant!
CM: Emre Can, Liverpool
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One of the first things Jurgen Klopp has done at Liverpool is to relocate Emre Can to midfield—the position Brendan Rodgers should have been playing him in since his form at centre-back died off back in March.
The German put in a brilliant showing at White Hart Lane on Saturday, utilising his hulking physique and good speed across the ground to press high in the early stages.
The 21-year-old helped block Dele Alli and Kyle Walker in, meaning the Reds enjoyed near-total domination on the left in patches.
He clearly relished the physical aspect of the battle in the centre and looked right at home moving the ball forward. We won't be seeing much of Can in defence again, one would suspect.
Wing: Moussa Sissoko, Newcastle United
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Moussa Sissoko put in a barnstorming attacking performance on Sunday during Newcastle United's 6-2 demolition of Norwich City. He didn't trouble the scoresheet, but he tore the Canaries' right side apart to the tune of three assists.
His powerful, purposeful running on the counter created numerous clear-cut chances, and his clipped crossing into the path of Georginio Wijnaldum produced two goals.
The issue, as always, is whether or not Sissoko can sustain this level. Steve McClaren admitted to Chronicle Live after the game it's something that's playing on his mind: "That’s the $64 million question. It’s sustainability, it’s consistency and we have talked about that."
Can Sissoko iron some consistency into his play?
AM: Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
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Raheem Sterling's magnificent hat-trick against AFC Bournemouth allowed fans to forget about the mini injury crisis occurring at Manchester City. If he can step up, it lessens the strain on the strikers, and on Saturday he did just that.
Switching inside to play a more central role (akin to the one he utilised at the World Cup 2014 with England), the England international thrived off Wilfried Bony's drop-in-and-play tendencies.
Speed, burst and—for once—clinical finishing skills were fully on show.
Wing: Georginio Wijnaldum, Newcastle United
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Predictably, Georginio Wijnaldum landed in B/R's winners column following Newcastle United's 6-2 victory over Norwich City on Sunday. After scoring four goals, it's the least he deserved.
The Dutchman powered between the lines, splitting defenders and midfielders with incisive runs, and he managed to steer two excellent headers home following his firm opening strike.
His final goal, to cap a wonderful day, took a slight nick off a defender to make it look all the more pleasing on the eye.
A genuine 10/10 performance, Wijnaldum was crowned B/R's Man of the Week.
ST: Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
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Jamie Vardy rescued a point for Leicester City this weekend, scoring twice late in the second half against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium.
Persistence and commitment are the buzz words that are frequently used when discussing the Englishman's approach to games, and once again that relentless energy and desire was on show.
Two down away to the Saints is a position many sides find themselves in, but Vardy said no. He's now on nine goals from nine games, leading the Premier League scoring charts.
Bench
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GK: Jack Butland, Stoke City
CB: Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal
CB: Virgil van Dijk, Southampton
AM: Ander Herrera, Manchester United
Wing: Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
Wing: Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
ST: Wilfried Bony, Manchester City
