Premier League Team of the Week: Lukaku, Emre Can, Stanislas Impress
This week's Premier League action was split into two distinct categories: On Saturday came an unstoppable flow of goals, delighting supporters across the world, while Sunday brought tactical caution, with four close-run games intriguing the purists and analysts.
We've selected the best players from said thrilling weekend and slotted them into a workable formation—on this occasion, a 4-2-3-1. Amazingly, there are players from nine different teams in the XI this week.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Asmir Begovic, Chelsea
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On a weekend in which no Premier League goalkeeper truly knocked the socks off, Asmir Begovic claims his place in our Team of the Week following a strong display at White Hart Lane.
He showed bravery in dealing with a few dangerous crosses—one of which earned him a clattering from Gary Cahill—and saved a few firm shots from Harry Kane.
The clean sheet is all the more welcome given Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea's regular No. 1, is back in training; Begovic will need to set the world alight to keep his place, and this helps inflate his stock—if only by a tiny measure.
RB: Joel Ward, Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace's 5-1 win over Newcastle United will be fawned over for the immense goalscoring display of the hosts' front line, but dominance was achieved in every third.
Joel Ward has struggled to replicate his remarkable 2013-14 form—no doubt in part because he's been moved around the formation, playing both left-back and central midfield instead of his preferred right-sided role—but he crept some way toward a stunning level on Saturday.
He nipped ahead of markers to prevent counters often, totalling five tackles, per WhoScored.com, and used the ball very well.
CB: Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea was a reasonably drab affair—a game that a 0-0 scoreline very much suited.
Outstanding performances were few and far between, but Toby Alderweireld did catch the eye—as usual—in central defence for the hosts with some key clearances and well-timed headers.
He and Jan Vertonghen may well boast the finest centre-back pairing in the league, and he reaffirmed his quality in front of the watching world with a near-faultless performance.
CB: Sebastian Coates, Sunderland
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Sebastian Coates makes a second Premier League Team of the Week appearance in succession. Quick, check the calendars! Is it 2011?
The central defender has felt right at home in Sam Allardyce's new 3-5-2 formation, playing an aggressive, stopper-like role in a reductive game plan.
He's dealing with every ball convincingly, helping the Black Cats find a not-often-seen level of solidity at the back.
LB: Christian Fuchs, Leicester City
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Christian Fuchs has enjoyed a quietly impressive season for Leicester City, seemingly ousting Jeffrey Schlupp for a spot at left-back and bringing a touch of class to the position.
His strong all-round showing on Saturday against Manchester United was topped by a beautiful through ball for Jamie Vardy to finish, cementing his mark in the attacking third as well as the defensive one.
CM: James McArthur, Crystal Palace
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Ahead of Crystal Palace's victory over Newcastle United, James McArthur admitted to the Evening Standard that he was glad Alan Pardew decided to trade the north-east for south London last winter. "He is a massive reason why we are doing well this season," the midfielder enthused.
McArthur then proceeded to put in one of his best-ever showings for the club, scoring two goals (one of which was a little fortunate, admittedly) and dominating the central zones.
Newcastle were trapped in their half for long periods, and that was due to the clamp McArthur placed in the middle.
That is a hell of a way to show your appreciation.
CM: Emre Can, Liverpool
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For the first time this season, Liverpool managed to win the Premier League game that immediately followed a Europa League outing. The 1-0 victory was ground out in midfield, and Emre Can took centre stage from a deep-lying role.
The German has impressed under Jurgen Klopp so far having been relocated back into his natural position, with his slick blend of technical talent, physical power and positional aptitude combining to create a perfect 2015 cocktail of a midfielder. On Sunday he was the best player on the park.
"Can gave cynical onlookers a glimpse of the future as he helped his side dominate throughout," uMAXit Football's Jack Lusby enthused.
Wing: Yannick Bolasie, Crystal Palace
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Yannick Bolasie put Newcastle United's defence to the sword on Saturday, scoring two goals and running relentlessly at the full-backs to great effect.
When he gets going he's a fearsome sight, travelling at pace with the ball at his feet, and the Magpies wilted in the presence of his energy and production.
He doesn't score enough in truth, so to see him bag a brace here was extremely encouraging.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
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Kevin De Bruyne's magical performance against Southampton on Saturday was probably the strongest of the weekend.
He had a hand in each goal, netting one himself, reminding us all just how potent he is on the day David Silva returned to the Manchester City bench.
His incredible ability to find space, even when out on the wing, caused Ryan Bertrand and Co. all sorts of problems in tracking.
He stole in to convert Raheem Sterling's cross early, then assisted both Fabian Delph and Aleksandar Kolarov to seal it—though both of their strikes were sumptuous in their own right.
Wing: Junior Stanislas, Bournemouth
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Take a bow, Junior Stanislas: the man who stepped forward and rescued a vital point for Bournemouth against Everton on Saturday.
He's been threatening to turn in a performance like this for a little while—against Newcastle United, he took up all the right positions but failed to execute—and was rewarded for his good runs and slippery movement with two goals—one of which was in the 97th minute.
The celebration says it all. Apparently, he'd just been informed he'd been made B/R's Man of the Weekend.
ST: Romelu Lukaku, Everton
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Romelu Lukaku might just be the most improved player in the Premier League this season. The confidence and assurance with which he's finishing off chances right now is remarkable.
His goal against Bournemouth was well taken, and his all-round skill set—control, link-up, chance creation—is shining through. He hit double digits for league goals this weekend and stands behind only Jamie Vardy when it comes to ranking the best No. 9s in the division so far.
“There are not many players who have achieved what he has achieved at his age," Roberto Martinez told the Liverpool Echo after the game. “We’ll keep working, keep developing him and enabling him to enjoy his football and he’s very difficult to stop.”
Bench
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GK: Costel Pantilimon, Sunderland
CB: Micah Richards, Aston Villa
FB: Patrick van Aanholt, Sunderland
CM: Etienne Capoue, Watford
AM: Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
AM: Manuel Lanzini, West Ham
Wing: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
