It’s time to find out which players performed well enough this weekend to receive the momentous honour of being included in The Football Faithful’s Team of the Week…
GOALKEEPER: BERND LENO – ARSENAL
A huge win for Arsenal as they beat in-form Manchester United to go above their opponents and into the top four. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team came into the clash on the back of a club-record run of away victories, but were thwarted by a solid defensive display from Arsenal.
Bernd Leno made two smart stops to deny Romelu Lukaku, and a clean sheet built the platform for a win which took his side into the Champions League places.
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DEFENDER: BRUNO ECUELE MANGA – CARDIFF CITY
With Sol Bamba set to miss the remainder of the season through injury, Cardiff needed their defence to step up in the Ivorian’s absence as they bid for survival.
On a day of success for teams at the bottom, Cardiff earned a vital win over West Ham. Manga shone in defence as Neil Warnock’s side kept a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory, and his berating of Javier Hernandez for his appalling dive will have won the centre-back some fans.
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DEFENDER: LEWIS DUNK – BRIGHTON
Back-to-back wins have eased Brighton’s fears of relegation, and The Seagulls earned the bragging rights with a 2-1 win at arch-rivals Crystal Palace.
Chris Hughton has said defender Dunk should be in Gareth Southgate’s England thoughts, and the centre-back excelled again at Selhurst Park, even helping himself to an assist.
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DEFENDER: SOKRATIS – ARSENAL
Defence has long been Arsenal’s Achilles heel, but they performed admirably in the 2-0 win over Manchester United.
Sokratis and defensive partner Laurent Koscielny both shone at The Emirates, helping to nullify United’s in-form forwards Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford.
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MIDFIELDER: LEANDER DENDONCKER – WOLVES
Eden Hazard’s late goal denied Wolves victory at Stamford Bridge, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team once again showing their ability to mix it with the leading sides in the division.
Belgian international Dendoncker was magnificent for the visitors, providing the screen in front of the defence. The 23-year-old made more tackles than any other player on the pitch.
http://gty.im/1135003373
MIDFIELDER: JAMES WARD-PROWSE – SOUTHAMPTON
A crucial 2-1 win over Tottenham and another fine free-kick from the midfielder, who has quietly established himself as Southampton’s talisman as they bid to avoid the drop.
The goal means Ward-Prowse had now scored for the third successive game, and has now found the next six times in his past nine appearances. An England recall may not be far away.
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MIDFIELDER: ADAM LALLANA – LIVERPOOL
After an injury-plagued spell, Lallana is back fit and impressed in Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Burnley on Sunday.
Making just his fourth start of the season, the notoriously hard-working playmaker was at his best, helping create a goal for Sadio Mane with some intense pressing play.
After a frustrating spell, the 30-year-old could contribute as the title race nears its conclusion.
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MIDFIELDER: RAHEEM STERLING – MANCHESTER CITY
A hat-trick for the Manchester City man, who’s becoming a talismanic figure at the club as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Watford 3-1 at The Etihad.
The England international now has 15 league goals this season, with only Mohamed Salah having directly contributed to more goals than the 24-year-old since the start of last season.
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FORWARD: SADIO MANE – LIVERPOOL
Eight goals in his past eight games for Liverpool, Sadio Mane has hit form at the right time as the Reds prepare for the title run-in.
He scored twice in the 4-2 win over Burnley, his first an effortless finish into the far corner before sealing the win late on.
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FORWARD: JAMIE VARDY – LEICESTER CITY
It’s now 101 Leicester goals for Jamie Vardy, who brought up his century for the club with a well taken double in the win over Fulham.
Few have contributed more to Leicester’s recent successes, and the 32-year-old looks set to remain a key player as Brendan Rodgers reign begins to take shape at The King Power Stadium.
http://gty.im/1134717271
FORWARD: AYOZE PEREZ – NEWCASTLE
A stunning display from the Spaniard, who played a crucial role in Newcastle’s 3-2 comeback win over Everton.
Trailing by two goals at the interval, Perez and Newcastle turned the game on its head with a second-half fightback, the 25-year-old providing a brilliant assist for Salomon Rondon before his late double secured the win.
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