Following a brilliant round of midweek Premier League action, we’re on hand to select our Team of the Week from the finest performers.
Here is our Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 22.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford – Everton
A brilliant performance from England’s number one, as Everton battled to a goalless draw at Fulham. Pickford made a superb stop to keep out Tosin Adarabioyo’s header late on, having made another good save in the first half to deny Antonee Robison.
Everton have the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League, while Pickford leads the race for the Premier League’s Golden Glove with eight clean sheets.
Right-back: Conor Bradley – Liverpool
Outstanding. Conor Bradley has grasped his chance in the Liverpool first team in recent weeks and produced his best performance to date against Chelsea. The right-back created the first and scored the second in the 4-1 win at Anfield, opening his account for the Reds with a crisp finish.
There was time for a second assist as he crossed for Dominik Szoboszlai to score the third, on a memorable night for the 20-year-old. It’s now a goal and five assists in nine appearances for Bradley, since stepping in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Only two defenders under the age of 21 have contributed to three goals in a single Premier League match…
You guessed it, those two players are Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley ???? pic.twitter.com/TJcpanMZ95
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 1, 2024
Centre-back: James Tarkowski – Everton
Everton’s commanding captain led by example as the Toffees ground out a point at Fulham. Tarkowski has had an excellent season for Sean Dyche’s side and continued that form at Fulham, racking up nine clearances in the goalless draw at Craven Cottage.
Only two players have won more aerial duels than the 31-year-old (82) in the Premier League so far this season.
Centre-back: Fabian Schar – Newcastle
Newcastle put their poor form on the road behind them to end Aston Villa’s impressive unbeaten run at Villa Park. Fabian Schar was the unlikely hero with two goals, as the Swiss centre-back showed his attacking instincts with two poacher’s efforts in the first half.
Schar was sound defensively and came close to a hat-trick late on, in a superb showing. Having failed to score all season, Schar opened his account for the campaign with a quick-fire double.
Everyone needs a Fabian Schär. ???? pic.twitter.com/i7hByRtU2M
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 31, 2024
Left-back: Alfie Doughty – Luton
Alfie Doughty has been one of Luton’s leading lights this season with the left-back having shown determination to reach this stage. On loan in the seventh-tier a little more than five years ago, Doughty has since helped Luton into the big time and has thrived upon their arrival.
Against Brighton, the left-back’s energy and deliveries were again a huge threat, with his in-swinging set-piece leading to Elijah Adebayo turning in the fourth goal. Some who have watched him with regularity this season believe an England call-up is possible.
Midfield: Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United
Another confident and classy performance from the Manchester United teenager, capped by a wonderful winner at Wolves to score his first Premier League goal. Mainoo has been a real positive in an up and down season for the Red Devils, and his displays in recent weeks should make him a prominent part of the team moving forward.
Full of elegance and composure in possession, the 18-year-old’s 97th-minute winner was an example of his quality. He glided past two Wolves challenges before bending a beautiful finish into the far corner. Ten Hag is right, he has all the attributes required in the modern midfielder.
“Sum up how every Man Utd fan feels about Kobbie Mainoo” ???????? pic.twitter.com/okYU0a4kxv
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 1, 2024
Midfield: Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder called Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze ‘£50m players’ after the duo inspired Crystal Palace to victory against his side.
Eze was the driving force of a 3-2 win as Palace came from behind to earn three points, scoring twice, including an audacious acrobatic effort and a thumping effort from range. A joy to watch in this form, Eze has an x-factor few players in the Premier League provide.
Ebs bringing the FIFA Street vibes ????#CPFC | @EbereEze10 pic.twitter.com/2eUKsLMy8c
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 31, 2024
“I suppose that is what you’re up against in this league, minimum £50m players,” Wilder reflected.
“I’m not sure [Palace sporting director] Dougie Freedman would accept £50m for either of those players.”
Midfield: Ross Barkley – Luton
What a signing.
Ross Barkley is back enjoying his football and shining at the heart of the Luton side, with the attributes that made the midfielder so exciting during his Everton emergence evident on a weekly basis right now.
Barkley was brilliant as Luton humbled Brighton 4-0 at Kenilworth Road, toying with the Seagulls midfield on occasion and setting up Elijah Adebayo for the third goal.
The @RBarkley8 turn which led to our fourth goal ???? pic.twitter.com/j47Pp7Z2zx
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 1, 2024
Talk of an unlikely England recall was tentative when Barkley first found form at Luton. Now, after months of consistency, it’s going to get a whole lot louder.
Forward: Michael Olise – Crystal Palace
Michael Olise tormented Sheffield United alongside the aforementioned Eze, with the two a cut above everything else on the pitch. The Frenchman has been in fine form since returning to the Palace side and now has six goals and three assists in eight starts this season.
Olise set up each of Palace’s first two goals, with the first a wonderful cross to find Eze inside the area. He saved the best until last, however, with a rasping finish into the bottom corner to snatch the points.
This from Michael Olise was just ????#CPFC | #CRYSHU pic.twitter.com/GbydPkzAOd
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 31, 2024
Palace face a real fight to keep hold of Olise this summer.
Forward: Julian Alvarez – Manchester City
Julian Alvarez marked his 24th birthday with two goals as Manchester City beat Burnley at the Etihad.
The Argentine made it four goals in four games with two well-taken strikes, heading in Matheus Nunes’ cross for the opener. Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick routine then freed Alvarez in the box to score a second, turning in his eighth of the campaign after catching the Clarets defence napping.
With De Bruyne and Erling Haaland now back available, Alvarez needs more performances of this quality to maintain his place in the team.
Forward: Elijah Adebayo – Luton
Elijah Adebayo was Luton’s history-maker as the Hatters produced a ruthless performance to beat Brighton 4-0 at Kenilworth Road.
The forward became the first Luton player in 34 years to score a top-flight hat-trick, taking his total to eight for the campaign. Just seven seasons ago the 26-year-old was in non-league football, but he’s proven to be a real handful for Premier League defences this season.
Four-midable from your Hatters! ✨ pic.twitter.com/oYhQPZx8d3
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) January 30, 2024
There was little fancy about his treble, as three predatory finishes stunned the Seagulls. Adebayo’s big night out has breathed new life into Luton’s survival bid.
Read – Five Premier League youngsters who have seized their chance this season
See more – The highest-scoring Brazilians in Europe’s top five leagues this season
