Premier League Team of the Week: Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Emre Can Star
Last weekend's Premier League action may just have narrowed the title race to one and the relegation scrap to four. As we enter the home straight in this strangest of seasons, matters at the top and bottom of the table are finally starting to become clear.
We've selected the best performers from the thrilling weekend and slotted them into a workable formation—a 4-4-2 on this occasion.
Disagree with our selections? Hit us up in the comments section below to start the conversation.
GK: Adrian, West Ham United
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The Premier League offered up slim pickings in terms of goalkeeping options this week—it often throws up a paucity of options or about five excellent ones, in truth—but Adrian's pivotal penalty save at Goodison Park is enough to elevate him to our Team of the Week.
Consider this: Everton, down to 10 men but 2-0 up, were given a penalty that would seal the game at 3-0. Adrian pulled off a good save, infusing his team with confidence and providing a platform for an epic 3-2 comeback victory.
The Spaniard made a few other saves throughout but wasn't perfect—his handling, particularly, looked a little loose—but that one moment stands enough to see him honoured.
RB: Hector Bellerin, Arsenal
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Hector Bellerin's attacking prowess was on full display on Saturday, laying on two assists as Arsenal ground out a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane.
The Spaniard pushed forward regularly to support counter-attacks and fed the ball into the box that Aaron Ramsey expertly back-heeled home; he then burst forward and laid on Alexis Sanchez's chance for 2-2.
Danny Rose (left-back) was expected to be a big issue for Bellerin and a key part of Tottenham Hotspur's route forward, but the Arsenal man did superbly to bottle him up as much as possible while still retaining an attacking edge.
CB: Lamine Kone, Sunderland
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Lamine Kone has been an excellent signing by Sam Allardyce; since arriving in January, he's rapidly adapted to English football and improved Sunderland's defensive line.
Dealing with Graziano Pelle at St. Mary's Stadium is no easy feat—even if he is out of form—but Kone shut him down, with his success in the air key to a solid performance; he won 12 duels on the day, per WhoScored.com.
He grabbed an assist for Jermain Defoe's goal, flicking the ball sideways to the striker in the box for an easy finish, and although he couldn't help the Black Cats hold out for a clean sheet in the 1-1 draw, his individual showing over 90 minutes was dominant.
CB: Wes Morgan, Leicester City
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Odion Ighalo may not be in the best of form, but he's still difficult to contain—Manchester United found this out midweek when they faced him—so that makes the job Wes Morgan did on him this weekend all the more impressive.
The rugged English centre-back marshalled him superbly, blocking off his runs and marking him tightly in the box. Ighalo had just a few chances to speak of, the best of which came right at the end.
The Foxes' defensive record has been just as much a factor in their improbable title challenge this season as their offensive one has, and Morgan is at the centre of their remarkable resilience.
LB: Charlie Daniels, Bournemouth
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Goalscoring left-backs are worth their weight in gold, and Charlie Daniels' impact on Bournemouth's season has been all the more tangible because of the strikes he has buried.
His thumping 91st-minute strike secured the Cherries three extremely valuable points at St. James' Park, capping an excellent overall display in which he—along with several other colleagues—moved the ball around superbly and tormented Newcastle United's back line.
CM: Emre Can, Liverpool
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Emre Can was Liverpool's standout performer on Sunday for a variety of reasons.
Not only was he superb in the central areas, dominating the physical aspect of the game against a stern Crystal Palace side, but he also played three different positions, moving around the formation after the Reds were reduced to 10 men.
His work rate, strong tackling and incisive passing were key to a dramatic turnaround.
CM: Danny Drinkwater, Leicester City
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Leicester City's hard-fought win over Watford puts them in a fantastic position to win the Premier League title this season, but while Riyad Mahrez's winner will take the headlines, Danny Drinkwater's contribution in midfield should not be overlooked.
His form this season has been strong, but this performance was particularly excellent, dropping into the anchor role in a 4-3-3 formation deployed in the second half to try and turn the tide of the game.
It worked; the Foxes levelled the numerical battle and swung momentum in their favour, with Drinkwater at the heart of every good move.
Wing: Dimitri Payet, West Ham United
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With good reason, Dimitri Payet was crowned B/R's Man of the Weekend on Monday. His defining impact in West Ham's last-gasp victory at Everton added another string to his overwhelmingly impressive bow.
He scored from Diafra Sakho's clever flick in the dying moments to complete an incredible comeback, and just before that, he had assisted his colleague in equalising with a lovely right-wing cross.
His flicks and tricks were on show, his driving runs made the Hammers' ground, and his switch passing allowed his side to consistently change the angle of attack.
Wing: David Silva, Manchester City
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David Silva loves tearing Aston Villa apart and needed no second invitation to do so this weekend.
His creative touch made the difference as he sliced and diced the away side's defence, contributing two assists in a comfortable 4-0 victory.
The Spaniard has generally underwhelmed this season, sloping off badly after a very strong opening six weeks, but if he can conjure more performances like this, Manchester City might just have something to say in the Premier League title race.
ST: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
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Don't let Sergio Aguero's missed penalty fool you: He was absolutely irresistible all afternoon against Aston Villa, and he still managed to score two.
His runs proved impossible to track, and his ability to drop in, collect possession and turn drew a lot of fouls from a visiting side several yards off his pace.
Aguero's first goal was lucky, but his second was raw class, chesting a good pass down and volleying home at the near post.
ST: Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
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Has anyone ever been happier to score a goal than Harry Kane was on Saturday? His celebration—rip the mask off and tear toward the corner to celebrate—is ready-made for end-of-season highlight reels.
To be fair, that goal was stunning: a wicked, bending, curling strike that left David Ospina no chance in saving it despite the acute angle.
It was a just reward for a very good overall performance, in which he linked played, held off markers and troubled in the box.
Bench
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GK: Vito Mannone, Sunderland
CB: Federico Fernandez, Swansea City
CM: Mousa Dembele, Tottenham Hotspur
CM: Andrew Surman, Bournemouth
Wing: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
ST: Romelu Lukaku, Everton
ST: Bertrand Traore, Chelsea
