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Premier League Team of the Week – Matchday 33

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 advantage Manchester City in the title race after the champions thrashed leaders Arsenal in a statement performance at the Etihad. Chelsea’s woes continued under interim manager Frank Lampard, while in-form Aston Villa and Newcastle continued their challenges for Europe with important wins.

Following a full round of midweek action, we’ve picked out the Premier League‘s finest performers.

Here is The Football Faithful’s Premier League Team of the Week.

Goalkeeper: Jose Sa – Wolves

Jose Sa’s heroics were a key reason for Wolves remaining clear of trouble last season, but the Portuguese goalkeeper has struggled to replicate that form for much of this season.

Sa was back to his shot-stopping best against Crystal Palace this week, however, as the 30-year-old made some crucial interventions to earn a third clean sheet in four games.

Sa made an excellent point-blank stop from Albert Sambi Lokonga and another brilliant tip to push Eberechi Eze’s effort over the bar.

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s encouraging adaptation to his new role continued at West Ham this week, with Liverpool having reaped the rewards of the defender’s hybrid positioning. Granted license to drift into midfield, it has proven a success to date with Alexander-Arnold having orchestrated three consecutive wins for the Reds.

His ability in possession has never been in question and his flexible role has allowed the 24-year-old to see more of the ball in advanced areas. There were also impressive moments defensively as Alexander-Arnold won the ball back higher up the pitch. West Ham occasionally came close to exploiting the space he vacated at right-back, but teething issues are expected as the team adapts to the change.

Alexander-Arnold appears to be revelling in the role and now has five assists in April alone, after providing an incisive pass into Cody Gakpo at West Ham.

Centre-back: John Stones – Manchester City

Another superb showing from a footballer who can do little wrong right now. Stones was almost faultless defensively against Arsenal, positive with his passing, and came up with a crucial goal as he rose to head Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick past Aaron Ramsdale.

Stones has become the fulcrum of City’s change, the man who has made their fantastically fluid shape and system possible. He might begin, nominally, at right-back or central defence, but he spends much of his time in midfield, covering and conducting all at once.

Stones is a wonderful footballer at the top of his game. Manchester City – and England – are lucky to have him.

Centre-back: Ethan Pinnock – Brentford

Brentford ended a run of seven games without a win to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and increase the pressure on their west London neighbours.

The Bees were well worth the three points in a 2-0 win that saw Thomas Frank’s side rarely troubled by Chelsea’s expensively assembled forward line. Ethan Pinnock was a standout in the visitor’s defence, as the centre-back racked up a whopping TEN clearances.

An unsung hero in Brentford’s brilliant campaign.

Left-back: Manuel Akanji – Manchester City

Manuel Akanji might not have been the headline signing from Manchester City’s recruitment drive last summer, but his understated arrival from Borussia Dortmund might just have been the club’s shrewdest signing.

The Switzerland international has added depth, versatility and adaptability to the club’s backline and underlined his importance with a fine performance in an unfamiliar left-sided role against Arsenal.

Akanji dominated his duels and shutdown the threat of Bukayo Saka, a task among the most difficult in the Premier League this season. Given the fees splashed elsewhere in the division in search of defensive security, his £15m arrival has proven to be a bargain.

Midfield: Danilo – Nottingham Forest

A massive win for Nottingham Forest, who beat Brighton to climb out of the bottom three and breathe new life into their survival bid. At the heart of their performance was Danilo, who scored his first goal for Forest with a brilliant burst forward and finish after robbing Moises Caicedo of possession.

The Brazilian never stopped in the engine room for Steve Cooper’s side and looks a talent with real promise. Forest will need more performances of this standard from the 21-year-old if the club are to avoid an instant return to the Championship.

Midfield: Ruben Neves – Wolves

Wolves’ captain was back in the side and made a huge impact as Julen Lopetegui’s side beat Crystal Palace to move eight points clear of the Premier League’s relegation places.

Neves made eight ball recoveries and won seven ground duels, while it was his quality from set-pieces that secured Wolves the win. His corner led to Joachim Andersen’s own goal to open the scoring, before the Portugal international fired home a cool penalty to seal the win.

An impressive performance all round from Neves, who might just have confirmed Wolves’ top-flight status.

Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City

Magnificent.

How often does Kevin De Bruyne deliver when Manchester City need him most? Arsenal could not live with the midfielder as the champions took control of the title race with an emphatic 4-1 at the Etihad.

The Belgian scored a fine opener with an early-taken finish that beat Aaron Ramsdale at the near post, before curling a free-kick into John Stones to assist the second. He scored a cool third to end the game as a contest after the break and has found his form at the perfect time this season.

 

Forward: Harry Kane – Tottenham

Harry Kane led the charge for Tottenham as the north Londoners fought from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

Kane was central to almost everything positive as Spurs came out a new side after the half-time whistle, with the England captain involved in the build-up for Pedro Porro’s strike before providing the assist for Son Heung-min to level.

The Manchester United fans chorused ‘Harry Kane, we’ll see you in June’ as transfer speculation continues to surround his future at Spurs. This was a performance that showed just why Erik ten Hag should do all he can to bring Kane to Old Trafford this summer.

Forward: Callum Wilson – Newcastle

Callum Wilson has had to settle for a reduced role in recent weeks given Alexander Isak’s form at Newcastle, but the forward sent a message to Eddie Howe on his return to the starting side at Everton.

Wilson scored twice as Newcastle edged another step closer to Champions League qualification, with his brace moving the forward to 13 goals in the Premier League this season.

The 30-year-old reacted first to stab in the opener at Goodison Park, before bending home a beauty for his second as Newcastle won 4-1 to pile the pressure on Sean Dyche’s struggling side.

The Magpies are flying right now and healthy competition across the pitch is a key reason for that. Wilson – who has six goals in his last six league games – will hope the number nine role is now his to lose.

Forward: Erling Haaland – Manchester City

What more is there to be said about Erling Haaland?

Manchester City’s leading scorer appeared on it from the start against Arsenal, with his searing pace a problem for Rob Holding early on at the Etihad. Haaland was a menace to the visitor’s backline and impressed with his back-to-goal, with a brilliant control and pass setting up Kevin De Bruyne for the opener.

Haaland added a second assist for De Bruyne in the second half and scored his customary goal late on to break the Premier League’s 38-game season record. It’s 49 goals and counting in all competitions for the season…

Read – 10 of the best players to make their Premier League debut this season

Read Also – Remembering every time a team scored 5+ goals in the first half of a Premier League game

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