Each week we delve through the top-flight action and select our Premier League Team of the Week from the weekend’s finest performers. Here is our Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 16.
Goalkeeper: Alisson – Liverpool
Alisson returned to the Liverpool side at Crystal Palace and made to big interventions to ensure the Reds escaped Selhurst Park with all three points.
The Brazil international sprawled to deny Odsonne Edouard with the game goalless, before getting down low to keep out Joachim Andersen’s header in stoppage time. Not overly active for much of the campaign, but alert and athletic when required to earn Liverpool a vital three points.
That’s an outrageous save from Alisson! ????
WOW ???? pic.twitter.com/sEaxszf92z
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 9, 2023
Right-back: Pedro Porro – Tottenham
A brilliant performance from Tottenham, who got back on track with a comfortable win over Newcastle in North London. Pedro Porro was an influential figure down the right flank, with the Spaniard always involved as he looked to carve out opportunities for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Porro won four duels, made three tackles and three key passes, including a wonderful floated pass to pick out Richarlison for the third goal. It’s now five Premier League assists for the season for Porro, only Kieran Trippier (7) has more among defenders.
Pedro Porro’s game by numbers vs. Newcastle:
79 touches
76% pass accuracy
4 ground duels won
3 long balls completed
3 crosses completed
3 key passes
3 tackles won
1 interception
1 clearance
1 assistRan things down the right. ???? pic.twitter.com/YEqlQw2mHB
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 10, 2023
Centre-back: Diego Carlos – Aston Villa
Crucial to two big wins inside a week for Aston Villa. Carlos was commanding at centre-back during the 1-0 win over Manchester City in midweek and was a standout once more as Villa beat league leaders Arsenal on Saturday.
The Brazilian cleared two efforts from the goal-line and led his teammates for tackles (5), tackles won (4) and clearances (6).
Centre-back: Marcos Senesi – Bournemouth
Led Bournemouth’s backline impressively in a huge win at Manchester United, with Andoni Iraola’s impact beginning to be felt on the south coast.
Senesi stood firm in a well-drilled back four, making more clearances (8) than any other player. The centre-back lost Harry Maguire to head home the third goal and seal an unforgettable win at Old Trafford. The best performance of the Iraola era to date.
Two in two for @SenesiMarcos ???? pic.twitter.com/55hIUAuKd8
— AFC Bournemouth ???? (@afcbournemouth) December 9, 2023
Left-back: Vitaliy Mykolenko – Everton
Vitaliy Mykolenko cut short his holiday during the summer to report back to Everton early, with the left-back keen to enter the new season in top condition after an underwhelming start in the Premier League.
The Ukrainian is reaping the rewards of his hard work after an exceptional start to the season, producing the best form of his Everton career. Mykolenko dominated his defensive duels during the 2-0 win over Chelsea, containing the threat of both Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling at Goodison Park.
The 24-year-old gave nothing away defensively and set Dwight McNeil away in the build up to the opening goal with an incisive pass. It’s been an impressive turnaround for Mykolenko.
Vitaliy Mykolenko’s game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
50 touches
9 ball recoveries
9 duels won
7/8 tackles won
6 clearances
2 blocksDefensive masterclass. ???? pic.twitter.com/GBsSqgxZCJ
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 10, 2023
Midfield: Joao Palhinha – Fulham
Fulham made it back-to-back 5-0 wins after thrashing West Ham at Craven Cottage, with Marco Silva’s side having found real form this week. Joao Palhinha was outstanding in central midfield, as the Portuguese ball-winner made more tackles (8) and won more duels (9) than any other player on the pitch.
His assist for the opening goal was superb, as the 28-year-old whipped in a teasing delivery for Raul Jimenez to break the deadlock.
Midfield: John McGinn – Aston Villa
Magnificent in midweek and outstanding again here, John McGinn was the heartbeat of another statement performance from Aston Villa.
His energy is second to none, with McGinn working his socks off for the cause. The Scotland international drive Villa forward and won 10 duels, while he showed cool and composure to score the winner with a sharp turn and finish. He’s been moved to a left-sided role in recent weeks, but it’s bringing the best from the all-action midfielder.
What a week. Proud of the boys. ???????? #UTV pic.twitter.com/FtallH643H
— John McGinn (@jmcginn7) December 9, 2023
Winger: Marcus Tavernier – Bournemouth
Two assists and a host of dangerous deliveries, as Bournemouth stunned Manchester United to win 3-0 at Old Trafford. Tavernier’s teasing cross was met by Philip Billing to double the Cherries’ lead, before a whipped corner kick was powered home by Marcos Senesi.
Back to his best to spark Bournemouth’s upturn in results.
What a player ???? pic.twitter.com/Oo9bpic4FP
— AFC Bournemouth ???? (@afcbournemouth) December 10, 2023
Winger: Son Heung-min – Tottenham
Two assists and a goal in Tottenham’s 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle, as Ange Postecoglou’s side turned on the style in North London. The Spurs skipper gave former teammate Kieran Trippier a torrid time on his return to the club, beating the England international easily to set up the opening two goals.
Son scored his 10th goal of the Premier League campaign from the penalty spot to complete an impressive afternoon’s work, with the South Korean having now scored 10+ goals in eight consecutive campaigns. Spurs have sparkled at times in attacking areas under Postecoglou and Son has provided the cutting edge.
16/17 – 14 goals
17/18 – 12 goals
18/19 – 12 goals
19/20 – 11 goals
20/21 – 17 goals
21/22 – 23 goals
22/23 – 10 goals
23/24 – 10 goals ???????????? Son Heung-Min has scored 10+ Premier League goals for the eighth consecutive campaign! pic.twitter.com/fbnEzkEL1Q
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 10, 2023
Forward: Richarlison – Tottenham
Richarlison has not always reached the heights expected at Tottenham, but the Brazilian was in the mood as Spurs thrashed Newcastle this weekend.
The North Londoners have been a fun watch under Ange Postecoglou and Richarlison benefitted form the club’s adventurous style, scoring twice as Spurs ended a five-game winless run with an emphatic win. The 26-year-old turned home Son Heung-min’s cross to score the second goal in an eventual 4-1 win, before collecting Pedro Porro’s pass to steer in the third.
Richarlison grabs a BRACE to put Spurs 3-0 up! ???? pic.twitter.com/qKovWJ75oc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 10, 2023
Back from injury and back in the goals, Richarlison will want to kick on from here.
Forward: Dominic Solanke – Bournemouth
Dominic Solanke set the tone for a historic win for Bournemouth at Manchester United.
He opened the scoring with a fantastic flicked finish, before coming close to a second after hitting the post. Solanke’s drive forward was instrumental in creating the second goal, while his work-rate almost led to a fourth before Dango Ouattara’s effort was disallowed for handball.
What a win????????. pic.twitter.com/hU7w9IKS2l
— Dom Solanke (@DomSolanke) December 9, 2023
United could not handle Solanke, who is up to eight Premier League goals for the season. Only Jarrod Bowen (9) has more among English players.
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