Premier League team of matchweek 10: Gundogan at the double, Heaton heroics
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Premier League team of matchweek 10
It was a case of goals galore in Premier League matchweek 10, with several high scoring clashes across Saturday and Sunday. It may only be autumn, but every match feels like a must-win at the top and bottom of the top-tier table.
Strangely, it also seemed to be a weekend of brilliant braces, deadly doubles, perfect pairs – with several players helping themselves to not just one but two goals.
So, strap yourselves in and read on to see who made Coral’s Premier League team of matchweek 10 for October 29-30…
Formation: 4-4-3
Goalkeeper: Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Heaton’s heroics in net, arguably a career-best performance, helped the Clarets keep what seemed an unlikely clean sheet at Old Trafford. At his former stomping ground, the Burnley boy denied his old club courageously, but did receive a little help from the crossbar and goal posts as Manchester United miraculously came up short.
Right back: Seamus Coleman (Everton)
The erstwhile Irish full back impressed in Everton’s 2-0 victory against West Ham United. Zipping down the right flank with intent regularly, Coleman’s attempt on goal led to Yannick Bolasie and Romelu Lukaku combining for the opener. A clean sheet can also be applauded to boot.
Centre back: Michael Keane (Burnley)
Another former Red Devil to doggedly deny his old club with a superb defensive performance, it is no wonder big clubs are looking at Sean Dyche’s star centre half. Keane, alongside central defensive partner Ben Mee, was resolute. Could this earn him a move back to his boyhood club?
Centre back: David Luiz (Chelsea)
It’s finally time to give the much maligned Luiz his due, after solid defensive performances since Antonio Conte switched to a back three.
The Blues were tight at the back on their trip to Southampton, meaning it is time to deliver a little credit. Charlie Austin did get the better of the Brazilian once, but was ruled offside, and Luiz has helped keep four clean sheets in five matches since the switch to three at the back.
Left back: Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
In fairness the Gunners did concede but, Gibbs acquitted himself well down the left defensive flank and was faultless for the penalty, providing plenty of overlaps and width, and even popping up as a threat in the box himself. An assist for his side’s second ensured the flying English full back forced his way into our XI.
Deep midfield: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Part of a tag-team with another player further down this list, guileful Gundogan split open West Bromwich Albion’s defence with a pinpoint pass for Man City’s opener, and generally bossed the middle of the park, before adding the third and fourth himself. A delight to watch.
Right central midfield: James McArthur (Crystal Palace)
It may seem strange to put a player from the losing Palace side in this team but it is tough to argue with the stats.
Two goals for industrious McArthur made him the man to give the Eagles brief hope of a comeback. The Scot got his head to two chances, and took both ruthlessly, pouncing on a Dejan Lovren error before converting Wilfried Zaha’s cross. It can’t be often you bag a brace but still come away empty-handed. From that 4-2 thriller unsurprisingly no defenders from either side feature!
Left central midfield: Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough)
Ramirez was a little more wide out towards the left wing than in our formation, but is nominally a central attacking midfielder.
Central to Boro bagging an important three points against Bournemouth, his display was capped by a mazy run down the length of the pitch to bypass the Cherries’ backtracking defence and slot home in elegant fashion. Lionel Messi-esque.
Centre forward: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Sanchez continues to be the springboard for Gunners success, and keeps on excelling in the false nine role. The electric Chile international attacker led the line with aplomb against sloppy Sunderland, with a bullet header and a clinical close-range finish completing his brace as the cherry on top of a cracking performance. Oh, and the second strike happened to be Sanchez’s 50th Arsenal goal.
Centre forward: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
This is what Aguero is all about. As Man City’s main threat and also the instigator, with two terrific goals and an imaginative assist for Gundogan. Rumours about the Argentine’s future at the Etihad should, at least briefly, be put to bed after this.
A thunderbolt for his second was vintage Aguero from outside the area. How can Pep Guardiola bench the South American in such form now?
Centre forward: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
On the scoresheet with his first touch as a substitute, France forward Giroud reminded Arsene Wenger why there’s room for him alongside aforementioned Sanchez in the XI too. Two perfect poacher’s finishes ended the Mackems’ hopes of a comeback. That’s what you call an impact!
