Premier League team of matchweek 35: Fabregas thrills, Ulloa attacks
Holly Thackeray | April 24, 2016
Premier League team of the week
There may have been a slightly reduced fixture list this weekend due to FA Cup action, but the Premier League still provided protagonists and star performers in spades.
So, without further ado, Coral present our XI of picks from a marvellous matchweek 35…
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Vito Mannone (Sunderland)
There were few keepers to keep a clean sheet this matchweek, and Mannone makes our list for a second successive weekend for denying Arsenal. One shaky moment aside he made some superb saves – and if Sunderland stay up he will be rightly remembered as a crucial component.
Right back: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
The Argentine continues to be a reliable rearguard fixture, helping shut-out Stoke City, while also continuing to prove his prowess further forward with an excellent assist for City’s third.
Centre back: Wes Morgan (Leicester City)
Made up for his previous matchweek errors with a dominating performance alongside Robert Huth, never allowing the Swans to get a sniff as the Foxes marched on.
Centre back: Lamine Kone (Sunderland)
Helped also impressive partner Younes Kaboul keep Arsenal’s star-studded attack silent, and showed his willingness to try and find a winner at the other end. Crucial in the Black Cats claiming a point.
Left back: Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland)
Not usually renowned for his defensive nous, the Dutchman has come on leaps and bounds under Sam Allardyce and got the balance right against Arsenal, contributing to a clean sheet as well as bombing forward. Unlucky not to score as his cracker hit the post.
Right wing: Dusan Tadic (Southampton)
Serbia star Tadic was tremendous from the right, showcasing his undeniable if sometimes inconsistent ability against Aston Villa. At the double, the wingman was in the thick of his south coast club’s goal action, contributing two of their four strikes.
Centre midfield: Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa)
It’s been a while since a Villan was crowned a hero in our XI, but Westwood did his utmost to restore pride against Southampton, striking two consolations with follow-up bursts into the opposition box to pick up loose balls.
Centre midfield: Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Now third in the Premier League for all-time assists, precise passmaster Fabregas was at his influential best against Bournemouth, setting up three of the Blues’ goals and having a hand in the fourth. A joy to watch as the heartbeat of his side’s creativity again.
Left wing: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Belgium fans will have been relieved to see Hazard approaching something like last season’s form ahead of Euro 2016. The tricky wideman latched onto two of clubmate Fabregas’ fantastic balls, and though the conversions were simple this brace against Bournemouth should have buoyed the Belgian. Precise and polished finishes from the under-fire midfielder.
Centre forward: Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City)
A forgotten man at times this term, the Argentine filled Jamie Vardy’s void with two strikes to help the Foxes keep ahead of title rivals Tottenham. The striker’s header and toe-poke against Swansea City see him edge Shane Long, whose opening goal and two assists versus Villa were impressive but not as potentially decisive.
Centre forward: Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City)
Another teenage talent that just keeps on improving, the Sky Blues could have a real striking star in the making here. Taking his chances against Stoke with both hands, or rather feet, Iheanachio displayed his poacher’s instincts with two simple but elegant finishes to bag his brace, while also turning Ryan Shawcross with his pace to win a penalty.
Related
Why not look back and see who made our previous teams of the week?
