Each week we delve through the Premier League’s weekend action and compile our divisional Team of the Week from the fixtures’ finest performances.
It’s as you were at the top after wins for Arsenal and Man City, while Spurs consolidated their place in the top four and heaped more misery on Graham Potter’s Chelsea.
Liverpool struggled to a drab draw away at Crystal Palace, while there were big wins at the bottom for West Ham and Leeds, and as ever, The Football Faithful have compiled our Premier League Team of the Week.
Emi Martinez – Goalkeeper
The Argentina goalkeeper might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he reacted well to his poor showing against former club Arsenal last week to put in an impressive display during Aston Villa’s hard-fought 2-0 win away at Everton.
Sean Dyche’s Everton had Villa under the cosh for large parts and Martinez’s four saves were key to his side picking up three away points, while his distribution and communication with his backline were both impressive.
Rico Lewis – Right-Back
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have unearthed a gem in 18-year-old academy graduate Rico Lewis. Tenacious in the tackle and intelligent in possession, the Bury-born youngster once again showed a maturity beyond his years during Man City’s 4-1 win away at Bournemouth.
To have the tactical intelligence to seamlessly play in the right-back/centre-mid role Guardiola demands is a clear sign that Lewis is a special talent.
It still doesn’t make sense to me how Rico Lewis is this good at 18 years of age. He can attack and defend just as well, we have something special in our hands man. pic.twitter.com/uKwVsPhAUm
— ???????? (@ErlingRoIe) February 25, 2023
Marc Guehi – Centre-Back
The 22-year-old put in a solid defensive performance as Crystal Palace held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.
Guehi clearly has the physical and technical ability to thrive in the Premier League, but it was his constantly improving leadership and organisational skills that stood out here.
Cristian Romero – Centre-Back
Ok, so keeping a clean sheet against a woeful Chelsea attack is hardly the hardest of days at the office for a defender, but Spurs’ World Cup winner looked commanding throughout his sides important 2-0 win.
Romero is famed for his uber aggressive approach to defending, although it often gets overlooked how tidy and authoritative he is when in possession.
Junior Firpo – Left-Back
A player who is clearly enjoying the additional freedom and emphasis on playing with width that Javi Gracia has brought to Leeds.
Former Barca man Firpo bombed up and down the left flank all day before netting a crucial late winner in his sides relegation six-pointer with Southampton at Elland Road.
Sometimes just sometimes, hard work pays off. Unbelievable support today ???????????? pic.twitter.com/64V7zptE8U
— Junior Firpo (@JuniorFirpo03) February 25, 2023
Oliver Skipp – Midfield
Little Skippy made up for the absence of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bisoumma by putting in a man-of-the-match performance and scoring the all-important first goal in his sides 2-0 London Derby win over Chelsea.
It wasn’t just any old goal either, the 22-year-old academy graduate beat Joao Felix to a 50/50 in midfield before lashing a superb half-volley in off the cross bar from the edge of the area.
SKIPPPPPP!!!! ???? pic.twitter.com/mrTN7O36ZI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 26, 2023
IIkay Gundogan – Midfield
IIkay Gundogan made up for the missing Kevin de Bruyne by stepping up to act as the creative fulcrum in midfield during Man City’s comfortable 4-1 win away at Bournemouth.
Goalscorers Erling Haaland and Phil Foden may have taken most of the headlines, but it was the classy Germany international pulling the strings that made it all possible.
Granit Xhaka – Midfield
Granit Xhaka has looked a little tired in recent weeks, but got back to the levels of performance against Leicester that has seen him become such a key cog in Mikel Arteta’s league leading side.
Xhaka was both creative and sensible in possession throughout as Arsenal dominated the Foxes during their 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium. Rumours of a new contract are deserved and mark an incredible redemption arc for the Swiss midfielder.
Phil Foden – Attack
Foden has struggled for form and fitness since the World Cup, but his showing on the South Coast was a timely reminder of the quality the 22-year-old brings to the table.
His finish after latching onto a stray Philip Billing pass just oozed class on what was his 200th appearance for his boyhood club.
Phil Foden vs Bournemouth:
1 Goal
1 Assist
84 Touches
55 Accurate Passes
88.7% Pass Accuracy
7 Key Passes
3 Ground Duels Won
2 Accurate Crosses
2 Successful Dribbles
1 Tackle
1 Shot On Target
1 Aerial Duel Won
1 Big Chance Created pic.twitter.com/xeNGqpbCXZ— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 25, 2023
Manor Solomon – Attack
Other writers of this column may research stats and watch every game – not me though. I am but a simple man, if I see you curling in a worldie on Match of the Day you’re straight in my team. Well done Solomon son.
That’s three in three now for Marco Silva’s Israeli super sub, after his latest strike secured a 1-1 home draw with Wolves.
Manor Solomon has only played 126 mins of football in his 7 sub apps in the PL.
He’s scored 3 goals, or 1 every 42 minutes!
He’s the first Israeli player to score in three consecutive PL games since Ronny Rosenthal in Nov 92.
A start against Leeds must be on the cards.#ffc pic.twitter.com/vEwi9cBDpY
— Fulham Focus (@Fulham_Focus) February 24, 2023
Danny Ings – Attack
After a slow start to life as a Hammer, Danny Ings burst into life this weekend scoring two poachers goals during West Ham’s vital home win over Forest.
Ings’ brace was his first goals for West Ham in five appearances since he moved from Aston Villa in January, and David Moyes will be hopeful the 30-year-old striker’s goals can move his side up the table and away from the drop zone.
Read – Iconic Performances: Arsenal legend Bergkamp scores THAT hat-trick at Leicester
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