Our Premier League Team of the Week from the weekend’s action, featuring the arrival of Manchester City’s exciting Egyptian and Arsenal’s unlikely match-winner.
Goalkeeper: Alex Palmer – Ipswich Town
A brilliant Premier League debut from Palmer, who could be the solution to Ipswich’s goalkeeping issues. The January recruit made six saves in the draw at Aston Villa, preventing an xG of 2.60 at Villa Park. An incredible late stop from Morgan Rogers ensured The Tractor Boys headed home with a point.
An incredible stop to secure a point. 🚧 #AVLIPS pic.twitter.com/8HP0j4HaPf
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) February 15, 2025
Centre-back: Kevin Danso – Tottenham Hotspur
At ease on his home debut, making an important sliding stop on Alejandro Garnacho and another last-ditch intervention to deny Rasmus Hojlund. Danso defended well as Spurs shut out Manchester United to claim a 1-0 win and continues to look an astute addition to their depleted defensive ranks.
Centre-back: Adam Webster – Brighton
In for the injured Lewis Dunk, Webster was immaculate as Brighton beat Chelsea on Friday night. So often in the right place at the right time, he made seven clearances on route to a clean sheet and made a brilliant block to deny Pedro Neto. The shirt should be his to lose.
Centre-back: John Stones – Manchester City
What a difference John Stones makes to Manchester City when fit. Stones snuffed out the threat of Alexander Isak against Newcastle and kept the inexperienced Abdukodir Khusanov in check alongside him. An impressive afternoon saw Stones win 100% of his defensive duels (4/4) and barely misplace a pass at the Etihad. One of the best in the league when available.
Midfield: Ryan Christie – Bournemouth
Brilliant. Ryan Christie has been at the heart of a high-intensity Bournemouth side this season, where he leads his Cherries teammates for distance covered and average speed. There’s more to the Scot’s game than energy, however, as a goal and assist against Southampton showed. His delivery for Dango Outtara’s opener was out of this world before a crisp finish doubled Bournemouth’s advantage. He’s having a fine season.
What a strike 🎯 pic.twitter.com/lBozZtQ14t
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 15, 2025
Midfield: Carlos Alcaraz – Everton
Everton’s only recruit of the winter window excelled on his full debut. He capitalised on a Crystal Palace mistake to set up Beto for the opening goal and showed real composure to slot home the second at Selhurst Park. Full of tireless running and quality, he looks like a shrewd addition for David Moyes.
Midfield: Ethan Nwaneri – Arsenal
This kid is the real deal. Arsenal have a potential superstar in their ranks with Ethan Nwaneri the bright spark of the club’s 2-0 win at Leicester. When the game appeared to be getting away from the Gunners, it was Nwaneri probing in the final third. He twice hit the woodwork, completed 7/8 dribbles and won 13/15 duels in a terrific performance. It was Nwaneri’s clipped delivery for Mikel Merino that created the opening goal, a moment of quality from a player bursting with potential.
17y 331d – Ethan Nwaneri is the youngest player on record (since 2003-04) to complete 5+ dribbles and assist a goal in a Premier League match, with the previous-youngest being Bukayo Saka (18y 164d v Newcastle in 2020). Pipeline. pic.twitter.com/0MauFnGIKt
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 16, 2025
Right-wing: Yankuba Minteh – Brighton
His best game in a Brighton shirt. The home crowd took delight in Yankuba Minteh’s dismantling of Marc Cucurella, as the Gambian gave the former Brighton full-back a torrid time. He twice left Cucurella on the turf to score for the Seagulls, who humbled Chelsea at the AMEX Stadium. Cucurella couldn’t live with him.
Left-wing: Kaoru Mitoma – Brighton
A goal good enough to grace any stage. The AMEX Stadium might not have seen a better goal, or certainly touch, than this from Kaoru Mitoma. A moment of genius from the Japan international set the Seagulls on their way to a 3-0 win over Chelsea. It was the sort of quality that justified Brighton’s decision to turn down a big-money bid from Saudi Arabia last month.
“A touch from the heavens” 💫
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma puts the hosts in front with an OUTRAGEOUS goal 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Q35NdQcj5R
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 14, 2025
Forward: Omar Marmoush – Manchester City
Omar Marmoush has arrived at the Etihad. After missing an early chance, Marmoush made amends with a ruthless first-half hat-trick against Newcastle. His first was a lovely lifted finish over Martin Dubravka before clinically converting two more before the break. Up and running in a City shirt, Real Madrid have been warned ahead of Wednesday’s European encounter.
🇪🇬 Omar Marmoush ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/AhEZdTbcH1
— Manchester City (@ManCityPT) February 15, 2025
Forward: Mikel Merino – Arsenal
If this was an audition as Arsenal’s auxiliary forward, it was certainly passed. With the game getting away from the Gunners at Leicester, Mikel Merino came off the bench to win it.
A centre-forward’s header handed Arsenal the lead before he arrived unmarked at the back post to tuck in a second. With options in short supply, the Spaniard looks set for a run further forward.
Read – Un-relegateable Everton, Spurs banned in North Korea and the political football spectrum
See more – The goalkeepers with the most assists in Premier League history
Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
