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Premier League Team of the Week: Leicester, Everton and Arsenal Stars Impress
February 9, 2016Premier League Team of the Week: Leicester, Everton and Arsenal Stars Impress
Leicester City's 3-1 destruction of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and Everton's 3-0 demolition of Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium set the tone for our Premier League Team of the Week this week. There's plenty of Leicester and Everton blue sprinkled among the XI.
We've selected the best performers from the 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: Heurelho Gomes, Watford
Heurelho Gomes' return to White Hart Lane was a busy one, and for 60-odd minutes home fans inside the stadium believed it was destined to be one of those days where a former player haunts them.
Save after save was made to keep Watford in the game against Tottenham Hotspur, with the Brazilian eventually tallying up nine, per WhoScored.com. Eventually, it was Kieran Trippier of all people who made the breakthrough in a 1-0 win, robbing Gomes of his clean sheet.
The Hornets 'keeper has been in great form for about 18 months now and has firmly put his horror days at the Lane behind him. It was good to see him return and provide evidence of just how fantastic he can be.
RB: Seamus Coleman, Everton
Across the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, Seamus Coleman scored 12 goals—a ridiculous tally for a full-back. It's how the moniker Seamus "Goalman" emerged.
But this season, he's been significantly less of a factor—that is, until he netted his first of the campaign against Stoke City this weekend and added it to an excellent defensive showing.
The Potters don't score many goals (24, joint-third-lowest in the league) so shutting them out isn't a magical achievement, but for Everton, who have been leaky at the back all season, this is a big step forward.
CB: Robert Huth, Leicester City
Robert Huth earned B/R's Man of the Weekend award thanks to his brilliant display at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
He stood a pillar of strength in defence as usual, but also added a brace at the other end after easily beating his markers to head home from separate corners. The big German brutally exposed Manchester City's weakness from set pieces.
Huth's two goals helped send the Foxes five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
CB: Joleon Lescott, Aston Villa
There were a few candidates to partner Robert Huth in our defence, but Joleon Lescott was the standout after his contributions in Aston Villa's vital win over Norwich City.
The boyhood Villa fan has overcome an extremely dodgy start to life in claret and blue to become a genuine leader in the side, and his performances of late have been very good.
A goal to open the scoring against fellow strugglers Norwich, plus some defensive steel to help hold out for a clean sheet, is undoubtedly Team of the Week-worthy.
LB: Christian Fuchs, Leicester City
When it comes to considering the best left-backs over the course of this Premier League season, Christian Fuchs is hot-footing his way to the top of the ladder.
We bore witness to another extremely strong and well-rounded performance at the Etihad Stadium, defending well, attacking well and delivering a peach of a corner for Robert Huth's second headed goal.
Despite an iffy ending to his tenure in the Bundesliga with Schalke, Fuchs has stepped it up considerably in 2015-16 and has surprised most with his high-energy, top-level performances.
DM: Idrissa Gueye, Aston Villa
Idrissa Gueye continued his excellent recent form by putting in a monstrous, all-action performance against Norwich City at Villa Park.
The Senegalese midfielder's stat line of five tackles and eight interceptions, per WhoScored.com, is positively eye-popping, and he really stamped his authority on the centre of the park.
Given the fact Villa were playing the Canaries—a fellow relegation candidate—the feat is even more impressive: The midfield was a battleground of desperation, and he conquered it.
CM: N'Golo Kante, Leicester City
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini made a big mistake on Saturday afternoon: He opted to match Leicester City's 4-4-2 formation and try to go toe-to-toe with them.
When you do that, N'Golo Kante reigns supreme; his energy, dynamic dribbling, firm tackling and swift passing will destroy you, and that's exactly what happened here.
Interestingly, according to the International Business Times, Arsenal poached Ben Wrigglesworth, the scout who unearthed Kante and Riyad Mahrez, this week.
CM: Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
Aaron Ramsey was heavily involved in both goals as Arsenal secured an impressive 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth this weekend.
His direct running, ability to break beyond the lines, calmness in possession and tactical discipline helped the Gunners overcome a fairly proficient away contingent of Harry Arter, Andrew Surman and Dan Gosling.
He won plenty of second balls, drove forward from midfield well and supplied the well-timed assist for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's excellent goal.
Wing: Aaron Lennon, Everton
Aaron Lennon's very recent form has been so good, he's keeping Gerard Deulofeu confined to the bench. That's impressive no matter which way you slice it.
Per the Independent, Roberto Martinez spent the aftermath of Everton's 3-0 win over Stoke City singing Lennon's praises and touting him for an England recall, while also labelling him one of the greatest professionals he's ever worked with.
It was his usual over-the-top praise, but it's undeniable Lennon was fantastic on the day. He netted the opener with an extremely slick run-and-finish, and he can justifiably claim to be one of the few wingers who've got the better of Erik Pieters this season.
Wing: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
Riyad Mahrez's remarkable goal against Manchester City outlined just how devastating he can be. A feint here, a shimmy there and a rocket finish into the top corner made it 2-0 to Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Algerian also grabbed an assist for Robert Huth's first goal with a nice corner delivery, completing a stunning afternoon's work in the most important of games.
ST: Romelu Lukaku, Everton
Romelu Lukaku's been a little off the boil of late, but this performance against Stoke City was a reminder of just how devastating he can be.
He's not even fully fit, but he still turned in a whirlwind performance of pace and power, netting one goal and coming oh-so-close to another.
After taking a backseat in the midweek win over Newcastle United, it was important for him to re-stamp his authority on the XI, and he did so with aplomb.
Bench
GK: David De Gea, Manchester United
CB: Maya Yoshida, Southampton
CB: Jores Okore, Aston Villa
FB: Daryl Janmaat, Newcastle United
CM: Ross Barkley, Everton
Wing: Tom Cleverley, Everton
ST: Roberto Firmino, Liverpool