Premier League Team of the Week: Ramsey, Giroud, Mahrez and Cabaye Star
Another Premier League weekend packed with shocks both delighted and dismayed viewers worldwide. Predicting any game in the division right now—with the possible exception of those Aston Villa play—is becoming a remarkably difficult task.
As a result, it's another Team of the Week selection full of lesser-known names, though there is a sprinkling of elite quality thanks to two Arsenal players and a certain Leicester City livewire.
We've selected the best performers from said thrilling weekend and slotted them into a workable formation—on this occasion, a 4-3-3.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Jack Butland, Stoke City
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Once again, Jack Butland was a key factor in a Stoke City clean sheet. He had a big hand, both literally and figuratively, in earning his side a point.
He made an astonishing nine saves and made five aerial claims, per WhoScored.com, to relieve pressure at key moments, leaving West Ham toiling away to no avail.
Just another day at the office for Butland, who has been incredible all season.
RB: Joel Ward, Crystal Palace
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It's rather rare Ryan Bertrand does next to nothing (offensively) during a game nowadays, but that was the case on Saturday as Southampton's left side was shut down at Selhurst Park.
Chief instigator of the job was the excellent Joel Ward, who is starting to creep back to his incredible 2013-14 form after finding a consistent role at right-back in Alan Pardew's team.
He worked hard to shut off passing lanes, crunched through key tackles and matched Bertrand for speed and power when necessary. A very good, if understated, performance.
CB: Simon Francis, Bournemouth
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Simon Francis put in another positively monstrous showing at centre-back for Bournemouth this weekend, playing a key role in another upset victory—this time against the visiting Manchester United.
Usually such a consistent performer at right-back, he has switched inside to cover injuries and found a new home in a more central position. Here he can use his towering frame, strength and bravery to repel forward balls, and he's good enough in possession to instigate from the back.
CB: Jonas Olsson, West Bromwich Albion
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Christian Benteke may be in wretched form, but any centre-back who can win a personal tussle with him however he's playing deserves commendation. This week, we honour Jonas Olsson for that reason.
He had a cracking game at Anfield on Sunday even though West Bromwich Albion conceded twice. He stood as a pillar a strength at the heart of Tony Pulis' defence, clearing anything he could get his boot on. He also scored twice—one (incorrectly) disallowed, the other allowed to stand.
That's some impact for a centre-back!
LB: Christian Fuchs, Leicester City
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Christian Fuchs looked to be reaching the twilight of his career in 2014-15 at Schalke, but he has become a key contributor in this Leicester City side—proof that a change of scenery can do wonders for your performance if the right choice is made.
The 29-year-old looked menacing while pushing forward against Chelsea on Monday night and his long throws caused all sorts of issues in the penalty box. His ability to launch it into the six-yard box gives Claudio Ranieri a method with which to create sustained, dangerous pressure.
Fuchs also chipped in with two key, goal-saving blocks, per WhoScored.com, standing in the right place at the right time to prevent a budding Blues comeback.
DM: Yohan Cabaye, Crystal Palace
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Yohan Cabaye's display on Saturday afternoon was praised by Alan Pardew post-match as "a midfield masterclass," and there's certainly some truth to the statement.
He passed, tackled and blocked superbly as Crystal Palace beat Southampton 1-0, and he even scored the winning goal, finding himself free in the area to tap home a Yannick Bolasie cross.
Palace took a financial gamble in luring Cabaye to Selhurst Park, breaking their wage structure to fit him in, but he's been well worth the money so far.
CM: Harry Arter, Bournemouth
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For the second straight week, Harry Arter impressed greatly against a top Premier League side. Last week he made our Team of the Week substitutes' bench; this time he claims a precious spot in full.
His relentless running and pressing has set the tone for some energetic, giant-killing performances from Bournemouth, and he was again the star man in the middle as the Cherries toppled a fragile Manchester United side.
He's technical, quick and fully committed to the cause.
CM: Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
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Another central-midfield opportunity for Aaron Ramsey, another man of the match-worthy showing. He's so, so good from this area of the pitch.
His performance against Aston Villa was a classic box-to-box one, surging from one end of the pitch to the other, utilising his great athleticism and dictating play from deep.
For Arsenal's second goal, he made the tackle on Idrissa Gueye to start the move, streaked up the pitch and finished it off with a cool finish. Expertly done.
Wing: Moussa Sissoko, Newcastle United
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Danny Rose is a much-improved defender, but he wilted in the face of Moussa Sissoko's overwhelming speed and directness on Sunday evening.
The Frenchman had a quiet first half as Newcastle United struggled to assert themselves, but he grew into the game later on and started surging forward with the ball at his feet frequently. He left Rose in his dust every time and began firing in dangerous crosses and passes to his strikers.
One low ball into the box in particular should have resulted in a goal—had Aleksandar Mitrovic not temporarily forgotten how to use his feet at the point of contact.
Wing: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
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Riyad Mahrez was the best player in Leicester City's 2-1 win over Chelsea on Monday night, setting up one goal and scoring the other.
His dinked cross for Jamie Vardy's opener was one of the best deliveries you'll see all season, while his wicked, whipped strike just after the half-time break left Thibaut Courtois no chance.
He gave Cesar Azpilicueta so many issues all game long due to his speed, positivity and directness.
ST: Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
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Olivier Giroud was in unstoppable form on Sunday afternoon, crucifying Aston Villa's defence with physical power and technical brilliance.
Constantly available to build play and strong enough to hold the monstrous Jores Okore at arm's length, he even ran the channels well on the counter, collecting longer passes out of defence and turning them into attacks.
His goal, albeit from the penalty spot following great work from Theo Walcott, was a just reward for his efforts.
Bench
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GK: Rob Elliot, Newcastle United
CB: Wes Morgan, Leicester City
CM: Tom Cleverley, Everton
CM: Yaya Toure, Manchester City
Wing: Jason Puncheon, Crystal Palace
Wing: Marc Albrighton, Leicester City
ST: Josh King, AFC Bournemouth
All quotes obtained first-hand unless noted otherwise.
