HomeOpinion/FeaturesPremier League Team of the Week for matchday 36

Premier League Team of the Week for matchday 36

The Premier League provided another weekend of goal-laden drama and action as we head towards the end of the campaign. 

We’ve picked out our team of the week in a 3-5-2 formation – feel free to bicker about our selections in the comments below!

Premier League team of the week for matchday 36:

 

GK: Robin Olsen – Aston Villa

Aston Villa were not at the races on Sunday, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium. They were very much second best to the hosts and if it wasn’t for Robin Olsen they wouldn’t have been in the match at all.

The Sweden international saved his side’s bacon on numerous occasions, making seven stops on the day – only Spurs’ Guglielmo Vicario (8) made more among Premier League goalkeepers this weekend.

Olsen was also deeply unfortunate to make a penalty save in vain, as Joao Pedro scored on the rebound.

RCB: Murillo – Nottingham Forest

If Nottingham Forest do manage to stave off relegation from the Premier League, then Murillo will be a huge reason behind their survival.

The centre-back has been a trojan at the back this term, and put in another tireless shift at Bramall Lane on Saturday as the Reds defeated Sheffield United 3-1.

Forest allowed the Blades cut through their midfield too often, particularly in the first half, but Murillo saved them time and again. The 21-year-old was like a Brazilian brick wall out there, tackling, blocking and intercepting balls like his life depended on it.

CB: Thiago Silva – Chelsea

After announcing he would be leaving Chelsea during the week, Thiago Silva rolled back the years against West Ham United.

The Brazilian put in a powerful display, helping the side keep a third successive clean sheet at Stamford Bridge. He also contributed at the other end, providing a headed assist for Noni Madueke’s goal.

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LCB: Josko Gvardiol – Man City

Josko Gvardiol is making a late charge for signing of the season, so good have his performances been in the last month.

The Croatian defender didn’t add to his tally of recent goals against Real Madrid, Luton and Forest, but he did win an (admittedly dubious) penalty for Man City early on in their comfortable home win over Wolves.

The 22-year-old was able to maraud forward due to the scant opposition offered up by the visitors, repeatedly turning up in dangerous positions and contributing to City’s attack.

CM: Declan Rice – Arsenal

Another fine outing from the England midfielder, who was determined to not only marshall the centre of the pitch on Saturday, but contribute to the final third as well.

Declan Rice made a late run into the box in the second half of Arsenal‘s win over Bournemouth, before making the key pass for Leandro Trossard’s finish.

Deep into stoppage time, with the game virtually wrapped up, he crashed the box again with a lung bursting run from his own half to provide the option for Gabriel Jesus. He was rewarded with the Gunner’s third goal of the contest.

CM: Rodri – Man City 

There are only so many superlatives you can use to describe a player before they start becoming redundant. We are getting to that point with Rodri, who continues to show why he’s the best midfielder on the planet.

The Spaniard dominated the middle of the park against Wolves, making seven recoveries and an interception, but he also created five chances – by far the most of any Man City player on Saturday. Two of those ended up being assists on a stellar day for the 27-year-old.

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CM: Harvey Elliott – Liverpool

Liverpool put their recent woes behind them with a 4-2 win over Spurs and Harvey Elliott was central to their improved display at Anfield on Sunday.

The 21-year-old was absolutely determined to make an impact in Klopp’s penultimate home game as Reds boss, creating five chances and taking four shots, all of which were on target.

Elliott set up Cody Gakpo for his side’s third goal of the day, but he got the goal his performance deserved soon after with an absolute thunderbolt. Little wonder he received the Player of the Match award after the final whistle.

 

RW: Mo Salah – Liverpool

There were a host of wingers who put in sublime performances across the weekend, making this a really tight call, but Mo Salah just about squeaks it.

The Egyptian winger bounced back from being benched for his recent subpar performances and his spat with Jurgen Klopp to provide a goal and an assist for Liverpool against Spurs.

All eyes were on Salah and how he’d respond, but he rediscovered the imperviousness that has marked him out as a Premier League great, reaching double figures in goals and assists for yet another season.

The 31-year-old, who had six shots and created three chances, makes the team just ahead of Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, who was exceptional on Sunday with a goal and assist of his own against the Hammers.

Klopp hails ‘outstanding’ Salah as Liverpool crush Spurs

LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi – Nottingham Forest

Callum Hudson-Odoi woke up on Saturday morning and decided he was going to be Arjen Robben that day.

The English winger terrorised the Sheffield United defence throughout the game, attacking the box before cutting inside and having a go at goal or laying it off for one of his teammates.

The 23-year-old cut the Blades open in the first half, cancelling out Ben Brereton Diaz’s opener. After sitting Jayden Bogle down in comical fashion after the break, his effort agonisingly bounced out off the post. But he replicated almost the exact same situation later, only this time he coolly finished for his second goal of the day.

 

CF: Erling Haaland – Man City

Erling Haaland not only got the sixth Premier League hat-trick of his career, he came off the pitch visibly upset that he couldn’t add to his four goals against Wolves when Pep Guardiola replaced him with Julian Alvarez.

Two of them may have come from the spot, but his final goal was one of his finest finishes since joining Man City. Talk about running out of superlatives…

Erling Haaland delivers brutal riposte to Roy Keane jibe

CF: Nicolas Jackson – Chelsea

Here’s a controversial statement – Nicolas Jackson is a good player, actually.

The way some folks have been talking about the Chelsea forward this season you would swear he was an absolute donkey. And while he has put in a few abject performances, you could see he has the tools to be a really effective player for the Blues.

That potential turned into end product on Sunday as he grabbed a second-half brace against West Ham to complete a 5-0 rout of David Moyes’ hopeless team.

The Senegalese striker is now on 13 Premier League goals for the campaign, and 16 in all competitions. In fact, he has more non-penalty goals in the league than Mo Salah, Kai Havertz and teammate Cole Palmer this season.

Read – Every club to have fallen from Premier League to League One

See Also – Remembering Roy Keane’s horror ‘tackle’ on Haaland

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