Premier League team of matchweek nine: Shaqiri, Reid, Mane and Fuchs star
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Premier League team of matchweek 9
We’re now almost a quarter of the way into the Premier League season, and the most recent round of fixtures conjured up a number of shocks, with Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Manchester clubs City and United all dropping points.
So, read on to find out who made our Premier League team of matchweek nine…
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough)
Valdes no doubt put in his best performance for a number of years, when facing Arsenal at the Emirates, as his fine saves helped Boro claim an unlikely point.
The former Spain stopper had competition from opposite number Petr Cech, who also highly impressed, but to keep a clean sheet away at the Gunners is certainly a fantastic feat.
Right back: Kyle Naughton (Swansea City)
Swansea gained their first point under new boss Bob Bradley, when they drew 0-0 with Watford on Saturday.
Naughton played a big part in achieving that feat by helping the Welsh outfit to keep a clean sheet.
Centre back: Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
Stoke have finally started to pick up the pace after going undefeated in their last four matches, and a 2-0 win away at Hull City now puts them up into 16th.
Centre back: Winston Reid (West Ham United)
Reid’s turn and strike on his weaker foot from outside the area in the dying minutes is enough to win any match, and indeed it did.
The New Zealander’s goal in the fourth minute of injury-time ensured the Hammers crucially claimed all three points in a 1-0 win at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland.
Left back: Christian Fuchs (Leicester City)
What a way it was for Fuchs to record his first goal for Leicester, as he hit a screamer past Crystal Palace stopper Steve Mandanda to score his side’s third in an eventual 3-1 win.
The Foxes were desperate to prove they were not a one-season wonder, and claimed just their third win of the season.
Centre midfield: Harry Arter (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth v Tottenham’s was the first of three 0-0 draws on Saturday in the Premier League, but the hosts certainly did well to hold off title contenders Spurs.
Republic of Ireland international Arter was the star of the show in an otherwise dull occasion, though, after putting in a fine shift, showing great work-rate.
Centre midfield: Scott Arfield (Burnley)
Another team needing a victory to push them further away from the dropzone, Burnley did so against Everton largely thanks to their Scottish-born Canada international Arfield.
The 27-year-old was involved in both the Clarets’ goals, as his rebounded shot fell to Sam Vokes to open the scoring, while his 90th minute effort turned out to be the winner.
Right wing: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Liverpool are certainly making a statement this season, as they went joint top of the table with Arsenal on Saturday after defeating West Bromwich Albion in a dominant display.
Mane impressed most after netting a tidy volley to break the deadlock, before setting up Philippe Coutinho for the Red’s second. Liverpool held onto a 2-1 win.
Attacking midfield: Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea)
Pedro has largely not enjoyed his spell in west London since joining from Barcelona, but made himself a hero on Sunday after opening the scoring in the crunch clash against Manchester United on Chelsea’s way to winning 4-0.
The Canary Islands-born Spain international’s strike after just 30 seconds was incidentally the fastest scored in the Premier League this term. He also set up N’Golo Kante’s goal.
Left wing: Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City)
Swiss star Shaqiri had perhaps his best performance yet in a Stoke shirt, as he ran the field for his team as they defeated Hull 2-0 away.
The attacker scored both goals, which were contenders for goal of the week, and continues to show why he is such an asset to the Potters.
Striker: Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City)
Okazaki’s Man of the Match display puts him straight in this team, after he put in a brilliant shift throughout the 90 minutes.
The Japanese forward never stopped running, and grabbed himself a goal for his side’s second.
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