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Premier League: Team of the Week

It’s time to find out which players have the esteemed honour of making The Football Faithful’s Premier League Team of the Week.

GOALKEEPER: Vincente Guaita – Crystal Palace

A vital 1-0 win at Newcastle has made Roy Hodgson’s Palace all but mathematically safe from relegation this season, though the Eagles had to weather a storm in the North East to emerge with the win.

The hosts dominated for large periods at St James’ Park, though a dogged defensive display earned a huge three points. Crucial to the win was goalkeeper Guaita, who made five saves to secure a clean sheet.

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DEFENDER: James Milner – Liverpool

Liverpool’s title hopes looked like they would take a huge blow as they struggled to cope with Southampton in the first half of Friday night’s fixture.

Manager Jurgen Klopp turned to experience, bringing on Milner and Jordan Henderson to bring on cool heads in what was a frantic game.

Veteran Milner, despite playing at right-back, came on and gave an assured display, helping his side move back to the top with a 3-1 win. Milner is one of the few players in Klopp’s squad with title-winning experience, and he may prove crucial during the run-in.

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DEFENDER: Phil Jagielka – Everton

A late inclusion against Arsenal after Michael Keane withdrew, the veteran defender proved he is still dependable at the age of 36.

The captain was assured at the back as Everton kept a fifth clean sheet in six games, Marco Silva’s side having found a new sense of solidity in recent weeks.

Jagielka capped a solid display by scoring the game’s only goal, sealing another win for in-form Everton.

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DEFENDER: Kurt Zouma – Everton

Vital to Everton’s recent run of clean sheets has been on-loan defender Kurt Zouma.

The French defender was heralded as one of Europe’s finest young talents when he signed for Chelsea as a teenager, but injuries and opportunities have stalled his development.

A loan spell at relegated Stoke last season proved challenging, but the 24-year-old has shone on Merseyside. Marco Silva will surely be looking to make the centre-back’s deal a permanent one.

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MIDFIELD: Jordan Henderson – Liverpool

Fabinho’s signing last summer has led to increased competition for Henderson, with the 28-year-old named only as a substitute for Friday’s 3-1 win a Southampton.

With Southampton threatening to overwhelm the league leaders early on, Klopp summoned his captain from the bench who came on a delivered a leader’s performance.

Playing in a less familiar advanced role, the England midfielder brought bite and energy, heading clear to set Mohamed Salah away to put Liverpool ahead before sealing the win with the Reds third.

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MIDFIELD: Idrissa Gueye – Everton 

Having rebuffed Paris Saint-Germain’s approaches in the January transfer window, Everton should brace themselves for further interest in midfielder Gueye this summer.

The Senegal international showcased just why he is so highly rated in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, covering every blade of grass in a typically industrious performance.

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MIDFIELD: James Maddison – Leicester

James Maddison has adjusted seamlessly to life in the top flight this season, having signed for Leicester from Norwich City last summer.

Eyebrows were raised when the Foxes parted with around £20m for the England U21 international, but there are no doubts over that fee now.

The attacking midfielder is intelligent and technically gifted, showcased again with another superb free-kick in Leicester’s 4-1 win at relegated Huddersfield.

The division’s bigger clubs are taking note.

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MIDFIELD: Bernard – Everton

Fast becoming a firm fan’s favourite at Goodison Park, the diminutive Brazilian is proving to be one of the better signings of the season.

Brought to the club on a free transfer last summer, the 26-year-old brings pace, energy and ability to the flanks, and demonstrated the depths of his talents with another strong showing against Arsenal this weekend.

Marco Silva’s side are in strong form as the season draws to a close, with further smart investment this summer they could harbour realistic ambitions of challenging the top six.

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FORWARD: Jamie Vardy – Leicester

The former England international has hit a superb run of form since Claude Puel’s departure as manager.

Vardy had criticised the former manager’s playing style, but the 32-year-old is back enjoying his football again.

His double in the win over Huddersfield took him to 15 league goals, the third time he has reached that total in four seasons.

Leicester have one eye on securing seventh and potential European football, and with Vardy having scored seven in his past six appearances, few would bet against Brendan Rodgers side.

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FORWARD: Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are all but safe now, and can start to plan ahead for next season.

Central to those plans will be keeping forward Zaha, who provides a talismanic presence for Roy Hodgson’s side.

The Ivory Coast international is full of pace, power, and flair, with all these attributes on show as he tormented Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Palace had to weather a storm against Rafael Benitez’s side, but Zaha’s presence gave them hope before the 26-year-old’s bursting run saw him fouled by DeAndre Yedlin for a penalty.

Luka Milivojevic stepped up to score in the 1-0 win, remarkably the sixth penalty won by Zaha this season.

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FORWARD: Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Everton

Everton have struggled to find balance in their forward line, having never truly replaced Romelu Lukaku.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is their current preferred choice to lead the line, and whilst the 22-year-old is not a prolific goalscorer, he has proved crucial to his side’s recent run of form.

The England U21 international’s mobility and power unsettled the Arsenal defence on Sunday, whilst his link-up play brings the best out of the likes of Bernard and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

If Calvert-Lewin can begin to score regularly, Everton may have found the solution to their striking problems.

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