Premier League Team of the Week – Matchday 32:
Each week we delve through the weekend action and compile our Premier League Team of the Week from the fixtures’ finest performances.
Goalkeeper: Martin Dubravka – Newcastle
A long-awaited clean sheet for the Slovakian shot-stopper as Newcastle won 1-0 at Fulham. He withstood strong pressure from Fulham in the first half as the hosts had 10 shots on goal, though Dubravka was equal to all of them.
After a good early save from Antonee Robinson, he reduced the pressure on the Magpies with five high claims. His command of his penalty box was crucial to an important three points for Eddie Howe’s side.
Right-back: Rico Lewis – Manchester City
A superb shift from the Manchester City right-back, who thrived amid a licence to roam forward and into midfield. He won 5/6 duels and got the goal his performance deserved, his first since netting against Crystal Palace in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
For a 19-year-old, his positional intelligence is exceptional. Lewis so often takes up good positions, maximising his effectiveness in the game.
Centre-back: Jarrad Branthwaite – Everton
Immaculate in a game Everton could not afford to lose. Jarrad Branthwaite keeps increasing his price tag with each performance for the Toffees and was commanding, as ever, in the club’s 1-0 win over Burnley.
Whenever Everton appeared in potential trouble, Branthwaite was on hand to mop up the danger, with his performance earning praise from Burnley boss Vincent Kompany. It’s fair to say he knows a thing or two about being a top-class centre-back.
Rock solid. ????@Jarradbranthwa1 ???? #EVEBUR pic.twitter.com/iCEcSJ9ufZ
— Everton (@Everton) April 7, 2024
Centre-back: Micky van de Ven – Tottenham
Tottenham have unearthed a gem in Micky van de Ven, with the Dutch defender having made his £34m price tag appear a snip this season. The 22-year-old was at his domineering best in this weekend’s win over Nottingham Forest, winning 100% of his tackles (5/5) and ground duels (3/3), and recording a pass accuracy of 94.3%.
Van de Ven capped a fine display with a stunning strike to restore Spurs’ lead in north London, unleashing a thunderbolt into the top corner after being teed up by Son Heung-min. A fine afternoon’s work for the Spurs centre-back.
Left-back: Sergio Reguilon – Brentford
Had a hand in all three goals as Brentford battled to a 3-3 draw at Aston Villa.
The Spaniard’s cross into the box led to Brentford’s first of the afternoon before Reguilon rampaged forward to set up Bryan Mbeumo’s goal with another left-wing cross. He added a second assist after a fine touch and centre for Yoanne Wissa to turn home from close range, with Villa struggling to deal with the full-back’s forward forays.
The on-loan Spurs left-back did his parent club a huge favour after denting the top-four hopes of Unai Emery’s side.
Midfield: Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United
Struggled early on as Manchester United were overwhelmed by Liverpool but grew into the game to make his mark once again. Mainoo became the youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer against Liverpool (18 years & 354 days) with a beauty, his first scored at Old Trafford.
Absolute CLASS from Kobbie Mainoo ???? pic.twitter.com/iIADHPFIYX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 7, 2024
This kid is the real deal and showed a willingness to engage in the less glamorous side of the game, as Manchester United spent long spells without the ball. He won 8/9 ground duels and 100% of his tackles (5/5).
Midfield: Jordan Clark – Luton
The fan favourite buzzed around the pitch against Bournemouth and picked the perfect time to score his first Premier League goal for Luton. Clark ghosted past a succession of Cherries shirts before the ball fell favourably for him to fire in an equaliser at Kenilworth Road.
In the fifth tier at Hyde United a decade ago, Clark’s goal was the latest success story of the rise through the divisions for much of this Luton team. The driving force in their comeback win this weekend, The Hatters are not giving up their top-flight status without a fight.
Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
Scored two stunning goals and created another as Manchester City bounced back from an early setback against Crystal Palace to keep the pressure on in the title race.
His early equaliser after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener was out of this world, as the Belgian cut inside and bent an unstoppable effort into the top corner. De Bruyne then turned provider to set up Erling Haaland, before thumping in his second – and 100th for Manchester City – to seal the win.
A welcome warm-up ahead of Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Stunning from Kevin De Bruyne ????
This curling strike was his first of two goals against Crystal Palace ????pic.twitter.com/nk1SelNa03
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 7, 2024
Forward: Jack Grealish – Manchester City
It’s been a tough season for Jack Grealish, but this was more like it. The Manchester City winger was back to his best at Crystal Palace with a performance full of trademark ball-carrying and combinations.
Though he failed to register a goal or assist, Grealish was involved in all four goals and barely misplaced a pass at Selhurst Park, completing 95.1% of his passes against the Eagles. A constant threat, he won three duels and three fouls in a much-improved performance. Encouraging.
A magnificent performance, @JackGrealish ???????? pic.twitter.com/FRn0glk9dP
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 7, 2024
Forward: Ollie Wakins – Aston Villa
Back in the goals after a brief absence through injury, Watkins headed in the opener from John McGinn’s cross before bravely meeting a delivery from Leon Bailey to score a late equaliser, after Brentford had turned the game around.
Naturally, Watkins wants to roam all over the forward line but here he showed the merits of staying central. It’s a change Unai Emery has encouraged and Aston Villa are reaping the rewards this season.
Ollie Watkins’ goal contributions this season are just astonishing ????
The @AVFCOfficial man added two goals to his tally in the 3-3 draw with Brentford! pic.twitter.com/GPz5AVK5oL
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 7, 2024
One behind Erling Haaland in the race for the Premier League’s Golden Boot and the joint-leader for assists, Watkins should be in the mix for the Player of the Season awards if Villa reach the promised land of Champions League football.
Forward: Kai Havertz – Arsenal
Kai Havertz continued his rich vein of form with another outstanding performance against Brighton. The German battled brilliantly and proved to be a real handful for the Seagulls, while he continued his hot streak in front of goal after converting from Jorginho’s pull-back to make it 2-0 and settle the nerves of the travelling Arsenal fans.
Havertz added an assist for Leandro Trossard to score against his former side, one of three chances he created in another excellent attacking performance. He’s loving life in north London right now.
Perfect end to the week! Fans as always were top ???????? #YaGunnersYa pic.twitter.com/jA8oYkQYJU
— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) April 6, 2024
Read – Tweets of the Week: Le Tiss Simulator, Fabrizio Romano and classic commentary
See more – Five of the most bizarre managerial appointments in Premier League history
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