Coral’s team of the weekend

Our best 11 from the Premier League

The toughest task in compiling our team of the weekend was restricting the number of Manchester United players that went in, as we really could have gone with eight or more. That’s how good The Red Devils were on Sunday as Jose Mourinho got the last laugh over Chelsea fans, and opened the title race up.

We’ve tried to give an even spread across most of the division, and below you will find our top performers from Saturday and Sunday, played, as usual, in the 4-3-3 formation. Arsenal battle Middlesbrough on Monday night, but the way things are going, neither would add anything to what we already have.

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)

Was part of a solid Liverpool side who picked up a valuable win over West Brom on Sunday. We saw just how much it meant to the players at full-time, and the keeper pulled off a brave save near the end to deny Matt Phillips. A reliable performer.

Defender: Marcos Rojo (Man Utd)

Rojo played a big part in Man Utd’s win. He didn’t do too much with the ball, but kept Costa distracted with an on-going, meaningless battle, both players niggling at each other. It may have looked a bit petty, but he took the striker out the game in his own way.

Defender: Robert Huth (Leicester)

A fans’ favourite at the King Power, he was a real standout in what was a tough day for The Foxes, pulling his weight at both ends of the park in a 2-2 draw with Palace. Scored the opener with just six-minutes on the clock, smashing in an accurate header.

Defender: Vincent Kompany (Man City)

Another who had a major say in both defence and attack. Got forward to score the opening goal of the game in the second-half, heading in from a David Silva corner. At the back he kept his fellow defenders in check, and played with confidence.

Defender: Gael Clichy (Man City)

Also an important part of that City winning side. He did the thankless, dirty work, dealing with the little Southampton offered going forward, breaking down moves before anything became of them. Another big game performer who has seen it all.

Midfielder: Mousa Dembele (Tottenham)

Spurs hammered Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday and are right in the mix to go and win the title. Dembele scored the first goal and ran his socks off in midfield. Always wanting the ball, he used it well, pulling the strings for the Londoners.

Midfielder: Emre Can (Liverpool)

A case could be made for a few Liverpool players to be in this line-up, but Can really caught our eye on Sunday. He put his body on the line for The Reds, and battled to win the ball in the midfield and move it forward. He was a pest for the West Brom side, and they just couldn’t get to grips with him.

Midfielder: Ross Barkley (Everton)

What a week it has been for Ross Barkley, but we love nothing more than seeing a footballer do his talking on the pitch, shoving the criticism that was aimed at him over the last few days right down the throats of so called experts and press hacks. Fully deserved his day and the praise that came with it.

Forward: Marc Albrighton (Leicester)

Leg-two of a massive week for Leicester, and the players really are going above and beyond for the team. Many of the division’s bigger names could learn a thing or two from this Foxes side. He was quick on the counter-attack and stamped out danger before it reached those behind.

Forward: Marcus Rashford (Man Utd)

Not just a player in our team of the weekend, he was our best player of the round. The young-gun kept a cool head to slot United in front with just seven-minutes on the clock, showing a real level of maturity that Diego Costa doesn’t have. He was the name on everyone’s lips at the end.

Forward: Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke)

Best player on the pitch by a mile. Set up the opener and scored the last, could’ve got a few more in between too. Got the fans out of their seats every time he had the ball at his feet.