Premier League Team of the Week: Aguero, Firmino, Fabregas and Payet Dazzle
Liverpool's ridiculous, enthralling and mesmerising 5-4 victory over Norwich City on Saturday set the tone for a fast-paced, goal-filled weekend of Premier League action.
We've selected the best performers from the thrilling weekend and slotted them into a workable Team of the Week formation—on this occasion, the lesser-spotted 3-4-3 with three strikers.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
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Picking a goalkeeper this week wasn't easy due to the paucity of options available, but Hugo Lloris did emerge as a top performer by virtue of making key stops at key times.
Two brilliant saves in particular caught the imagination, keeping Tottenham Hotspur in the game after going one down and providing a platform to launch a comeback. He was not to blame for Crystal Palace's goal—Jan Vertonghen deflecting the ball into the net entirely wrong-footed him.
With so many storylines pouring forth from White Hart Lane, it can slip the mind just how good Lloris is between the sticks.
CB: Kurt Zouma, Chelsea
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Chelsea produced a heroic defensive effort to hold out for a win over Arsenal, and Kurt Zouma was central to it.
The monstrous Frenchman headed, tackled and cleared every ball that ventured into the Blues' box, utilising his frame superbly and, crucially, showing refrain when required to avoid conceding a penalty. It was the performance of a seasoned veteran, not a man learning his trade.
Zouma's job was made harder by the fact Branislav Ivanovic was hit hard on the right flank, but he covered the space masterfully.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk, Southampton
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The word "monstrous" can be used to describe another centre-back's performance this week, and that man's name is Virgil van Dijk.
Southampton pulled off an upset victory over Manchester United on Saturday thanks to a Charlie Austin debut goal, but it was perhaps their defensive rigidity that impressed the most in sealing the 1-0 scoreline.
Van Dijk won three aerials, five tackles and five interceptions as he shut down Anthony Martial and Co., per WhoScored.com, marshalling the defensive line to a third successive clean sheet.
CB: Ashley Williams, Swansea City
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2016 might finally be the year Ashley Williams takes the next step in his career; the Daily Mail are reporting he will assess his situation come the summer and decide whether his eight years at Swansea City will become nine.
He put in yet another rock-solid performance this weekend, playing a major part in the Swans' gutsy 2-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. His positional acumen led to several big blocks, and his headed clearances were key in the closing stages.
After the game, the Welshman admitted new manager Francesco Guidolin has given the side a veritable boost, per the Guardian: "I think all the lads have been impressed with his first week and how he goes about work and what he is asking of us so it looks good at the moment. I’ve been really impressed with him."
Perhaps Guidolin is the unlikely wildcard that keeps Williams at the Liberty Stadium?
RM: Willian, Chelsea
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Willian edges out a number of really impressive performers on the right side of our formation. Steven Naismith, Gerard Deulofeu, Riyad Mahrez and Junior Stanislas were all brilliant, but it's the Chelsea man who is rewarded here.
His ability to drive forward from deep with the ball was a key tool in the Blues' locker, and they trusted him to dribble 40-50 yards at a time, drawing them out of a low block to start counter-attacks. One such dribble ended in the pass that led Per Mertesacker's last-man challenge and red card, sliding it into Diego Costa's path with precision.
Willian has been Chelsea's best player this season, and he reminded us of that in a big display in a big game.
CM: Dele Alli, Tottenham Hotspur
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Dele Alli scored what is probably the Premier League's goal of the season this weekend, flicking the ball over Mile Jedinak's head, swivelling, then volleying into the bottom corner from outside the box.
It. Was. Astounding.
That goal is pretty much a one-way ticket into the Team of the Week—which is a touch fortunate, because he wasn't that good in the first half—but he added an assist to his pile late on as, technically, he was the pass before Nacer Chadli's brilliant burst and long-range strike.
CM: Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
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Cesc Fabregas overcame a rather vociferous Emirates Stadium crowd to put in a sparkling performance against Arsenal on Sunday.
His link play and passing were superb, while his comfort on the ball under pressure defied belief at times. He dribbled with the ball at his feet far more than usual, set up several good attacking moves, should have been awarded a penalty after being bundled over by Laurent Koscielny, and he put in a masterclass in time-management as the clock wore on.
Arsenal fans would have loved nothing more than to claim victory and put Fabregas off his game, but the opposite happened. The Spaniard was instrumental in a 1-0 win for the visitors.
LM: Dimtri Payet, West Ham United
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Dimitri Payet joins Marko Arnautovic in the "left wingers who have bested Bacary Sagna this season" column. It's an impressive feat because it's arguable they're the only two in there.
The Frenchman's dazzling feet gave his compatriot a rough ride, spinning out of and around challenges and setting up chances. Payet completed a whopping six dribbles, per WhoScored.com, constantly surging into space and looking to create.
Late in the game when the Hammers were seeing out a point, Payet was back in his own box, tackling, tracking and working for the team. No wonder he's the apple of every supporter's eye.
ST: Dieumerci Mbokani, Norwich City
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Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure will be seeing Dieumerci Mbokani's looming figure in their nightmares for the next few weeks; the bustling, physical Norwich target man had both Liverpool centre-backs on toast during their battle on Saturday.
On his day, Mbokani is a real handful, and he combined ox-like strength with aggression and good positioning to cause the Reds all sorts of issues. His backheeled goal to equalise in the first half was something quite special, too.
ST: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
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Sergio Aguero looks back to his sparkling best, and his performance against West Ham United is enough to earn him a spot in our Premier League Team of the Week—even in the face of staunch competition from other players in his position.
His two-goal haul earned Manchester City a draw at Upton Park, and he came oh-so-close to a hat-trick, sending a beautiful chipped effort against the post early on.
The Citizens have been plagued by defensive issues sans Vincent Kompany and this week was no different, with Nicolas Otamendi's ridiculous error leading to Enner Valencia's second, but they have no concerns up front: Aguero is, undoubtedly, the best striker in the league.
ST: Roberto Firmino, Liverpool
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Roberto Firmino put in a stunning display during a crazy game at Carrow Road on Saturday, scoring two and assisting one in a 5-4 victory.
His link-up play and creation of attacks suffered a little early on, but once Jurgen Klopp brought on Adam Lallana—a forward runner off his shoulder—things dramatically improved, with the Brazilian suddenly becoming the fulcrum of the side.
His second goal in particular was very well taken, and his flicked assist for Jordan Henderson's goal caught the eye too.
Bench
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GK: Lukasz Fabianski, Swansea City
CB: Joleon Lescott, Aston Villa
CM: N'Golo Kante, Leicester City
Wing: Gerard Deulofeu, Everton
AM/Wing: Christian Eriksen, Tottenham Hotspur
ST: Diego Costa, Chelsea
ST: Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
