Premier League Team of the Week – Matchday 28:
Each week we delve through the weekend action and compile our Premier League Team of the Week from the fixtures’ finest performances.
Goalkeeper: Jose Sa – Wolves
Jose Sa’s shot-stopping kept Wolves in the game on occasion this weekend, with the Portugal international frustrating Fulham at Molineux.
After some solid interventions in the first half, he excelled after the break with a remarkable double stop and one full-length dive to push away a fierce hit from former Wolves winger Adama Traore.
Right-back: Ben White – Arsenal
An excellent outing from the Arsenal right-back, who exploited the space he was afforded as Brentford doubled up on Bukayo Saka ahead of him.
The defender produced a fantastic cross for Declan Rice to nod in Arsenal’s opener at the Emirates, before delivering an even better ball for Kai Havertz to snatch a precious three points late on.
Will Gareth Southgate provide White with an England recall this month?
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Won his individual duel with Erling Haaland and led an inexperienced Liverpool side through their crunch clash with Manchester City. Stood up well in a one-on-one battle with Haaland and got a crucial touch on a cross that looked destined to land perfectly for the Norwegian.
No player made more tackles (4), interceptions (4), or last-man challenges (2), while Van Dijk did not lose a single aerial duel at Anfield. An absolute colossus and the cornerstone of his club’s title challenge.
The last time Virgil Van Dijk lost an aerial duel in the Premier League was in January.
We’re now in March ???? pic.twitter.com/YA6dgBrgE8
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 10, 2024
Centre-back: Micky van de Ven – Tottenham
Dominant in the early exchanges against Aston Villa and made one timely challenge to stop Ollie Watkins inside the opening five minutes.
Van de Ven was the outstanding performer on the visitor’s side until his early withdrawal with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. That will be a concern for Ange Postecoglou, with the Dutchman’s power and pace a formidable obstacle for opposition forwards to navigate.
Left-back: Rayan Ait-Nouri – Wolves
Rayan Ait-Nouri motored forward to give Wolves impetus in attack as Gary O’Neil’s side bounced back from last weekend’s disappointment against Newcastle.
The left-back charged forward into advanced areas all game and was rewarded as he steered in the opening goal from Toti Gomes’ cut-back. Another surge from the Algerian teed up Mario Lemina for a good chance and his contribution was crucial for a Wolves team that saw Pedro Neto and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde forced off.
Midfield: Wataru Endo – Liverpool
There were few Liverpool fans familiar with Wataru Endo’s game when the midfielder signed in the summer, but the Japan international has become a big favourite at Anfield. Endo dropped another defensive midfield masterclass in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City, where he was combative, industrious and efficient in possession.
The 31-year-old hounded Kevin De Bruyne in their midfield match-up, so much so that the Belgian’s influence waned until an early substitution. Just £16.2m from Stuttgart last summer, he’s proven to be one of the value deals of the campaign.
Wataru Endo vs. Man City
96% Pass accuracy
1 Chance created
6/7 Duels won
4/4 Tackles won
2 Interceptions
6 RecoveriesThe best 6 in the world might have played at Anfield today but he wasn’t the best 6 on the pitch. Another sensational Endo performance. pic.twitter.com/M22AP7sXOX
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) March 10, 2024
Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal
Declan Rice is driving Arsenal’s title challenge right now and delivered another influential performance this weekend earns him another spot in our Premier League Team of the Week.
The England midfielder is proving he can do everything in the engine room this season and scored his sixth of the season with a centre-forward’s header to open the scoring against Brentford.
Defensively sound, dominant in duels and a threat moving forward, he is the box-to-box force propelling Arsenal’s assault on the Premier League.
Declan Rice scores again ???? pic.twitter.com/QBFYXGNQzb
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 10, 2024
Right-wing: Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United
An absolute livewire for Manchester United as the Red Devils returned to winning ways against Everton.
Garnacho’s quick feet in tight areas twice drew in clumsy challenges inside the penalty area, winning two spot-kicks that Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford converted to earn a 2-0 win.
Starting the move ➡️ Winning a penalty
That’s our @AGarnacho7 ????#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/BEnY5lIBdY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 10, 2024
There’s a tenacious spirit to Garnacho’s game that is not always associated with this Manchester United side. For that reason alone, he’s integral right now and a real fan favourite.
Left-wing: Luis Diaz – Liverpool
Luis Diaz will be kicking himself that he was not the match-winner in Liverpool’s titanic title battle with Manchester City, with the Colombian certainly having the best of the chances at Anfield. While the final touch lacked for Diaz, endeavour certainly did not in an electric second-half showing.
The winger led Kyle Walker and Rodri on a merry dance down the left wing and showcased some incredible pieces of close control and changes of direction. Diaz boasts an extraordinary engine and ran himself into the ground for the Liverpool cause.
Forward: David Datro Fofana – Burnley
What a goal.
David Datro Fofana fired Burnley ahead in their 2-2 draw at West Ham, opening the scoring at the London Stadium with an absolute rocket. After struggling during a loan spell at Union Berlin earlier in the campaign, Fofana has shown his promise since joining Burnley in January and made it three Premier League goals in five league appearances for the Clarets.
The Ivorian led the line well all afternoon, leading the contest for successful take-ons (6/11) and attacking aerial duels won (3). Battled brilliantly all game and showed encouraging signs with his combinations with midfield runners.
Forward: Son Heung-min – Tottenham
Son Heung-min was at his brilliant best as Tottenham took a huge step towards the Champions League with a 4-0 thrashing of top-four rivals Aston Villa. The South Korean led the line superbly with excellent movement, as Spurs scored four times in the second half at Villa Park.
Son made goals for Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner with intelligent passes and converted one himself emphatically for his 159th goal for Spurs. A superb showing from the skipper.
Son Heung-min has now been involved in 20+ Premier League goals in five separate seasons.
2016/17: 20 G/A
2019/20: 21 G/A
2020/21: 27 G/A
2021/22: 30 G/A
????????????????/????????: ???????? ????/???? pic.twitter.com/BO2ZtvMnnh— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 10, 2024
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