Coral’s team of the weekend
Published:
Premier League star attractions
Welcome to the start of a brand-new week, and although Chelsea play Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge tonight, we’ve found enough to work with from the weekend to put together our Premier League top 11.
There was no lack of talking points over the course of the last few days, not least Tottenham’s collapse against West Ham and Arsenal’s win over Man Utd to end the Red Devils’ 25-match unbeaten run, but which players pulled the strings?
Setting up in our usual 4-3-3 formation, it would be easy to fill the ranks with Arsenal and Man City players, but we’re not going to do that. Instead, we’ve kept an even spread across the division. Let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page who you would change…..
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster (Southampton)
There were bits of competition for the number one jersey, but Forster goes in on the basis that he has been seen improving of late. In a dull match at Anfield, there wasn’t an awful lot to shout about, but Forster pulled off a couple of stunning stops to keep his men in the match, and earn a share.
Defender: Adam Smith (Bournemouth)
Perhaps not the best defensive showing of the afternoon, with The Cherries conceding two goals against Stoke at home, but Smith got up and down the flank from right-back, and had a hand in each of his side’s two goals. Couldn’t have asked for much more from him.
Defender: Vincent Kompany (Man City)
It’s no surprise that Kompany’s upturn in form has resulted in improved results for City. The popular defender has put in some eye-catching performances of late, and stood out again in an 5-0 win over Crystal Palace. Solid at the back and got forward to score the second goal of the game.
Defender: Robert Huth (Leicester)
The big man has endured a difficult couple of weeks, as has his side, but he was back in business on Saturday, doing what he does best, commanding the defence in a 3-0 Foxes win. When he’s on his game, Leicester are a better side for it.
Defender: Andrew Robertson (Hull)
A horrible day for The Tigers, losing 2-0 to relegated Sunderland when they needed to win. One standout for Hull was Andrew Robertson, who could do little about the goals, but was a bundle of running for his side, always wanting the ball, and got forward to deliver a couple of good crosses. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing team.
Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Another big part of that surprise win over Palace, De Bruyne helped himself to a goal, netting just before the hour mark, and setting up another. No player in the division has completed more assists than the Belgian, and you won’t see him in better shape than he was here.
Midfielder: Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)
Very few saw The Gunners beating Man Utd, but Xhaka would’ve gone home on Sunday knowing that he played a massive part in that triumph. Netted the opening goal on 54 minutes, and although there was an element of luck, it was an important strike and he kept his cool.
Midfielder: David Silva (Man City)
Another who impressed for City on Saturday afternoon, and Silva is a man who is always welcome in our team of the weekend. A regular feature, his use of the ball is second to none, and a lot of the work he does goes unnoticed. Everything good went through him.
Forward: Sam Vokes (Burnley)
At his best in a 2-2 draw with West Brom, scoring both of his side’s goals, including the opener on 56-minutes and then the equaliser on 86. Always there for his team when they needed him and netted two goals from three shots on target. Had reason to believe he should’ve got his hat-trick.
Forward: Jermaine Defoe (Sunderland)
It’s not often Defoe is on the winning side these days, but he would be a massive loss to the Premier if he was to go down with Sunderland, but I don’t see it happening, a top-tier side will take him. His best days are gone, but he proved when scoring against Hull that he remains one of the best strikers in the league.
Forward: Fernando Llorente (Swansea)
Swansea needed a big performance from their biggest stars, and it was fitting that Llorente stepped up and delivered, scoring the only goal of the game against Everton at the Liberty Stadium. Always looked capable of making a difference when going forward.
