Premier League team of matchweek 12: Toure to the rescue, Winks delights White Hart Lane

Premier League team of matchweek 12

Returning from the international break with some thrilling fixtures, the English top-flight delivered across Saturday and Sunday with surprises, great goals and more. So, without further ado, read on to see which title chasing stars and relegation battle heroes made our cut for Premier League team of matchweek 12.

This week there really are some surprise names!

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)

The young English keeper just keeps impressing and justly deserved his clean sheet against Hull City – and the goalie’s shut-outs could now prove crucial in the relegation battle.

Southampton’s Fraser Forster also deserves a shout out for his denial of Liverpool, but younger peer Pickford edges it for us as he helped Sunderland to their first back-to-back league victories for around six months. Gareth Southgate will no doubt be keeping his eye on the young stopper.

Right back: Seamus Coleman (Everton)

Everton conceding thanks to Phil Jagileka’s fumbling tackle on Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson was far from Coleman’s fault, and the Republic of Ireland star was consistent as ever.

As the Toffees went all out for an equaliser it was cunning Coleman who stepped up in the last minute to nod home and preserve a point.

Centre back: Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)

Another one that looks to have gotten away for Chelsea, adaptable Blues-owned defender Ake found himself thrown in at the deep end as centre half against an in-form Stoke City.

But not only did the Dutch defender help Bournemouth keep a clean sheet, the 21-year-old also converted the Cherries’ winner from a Junior Stanislas cross.

Centre back: Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)

We go from one sturdy southcoast side to another, and also another Dutch defender in Van Dijk, to find our partner for impressive Ake.

Van Dijk has been a standout for far this season for Saints and his composure to commit to a last-gasp blocked clearance ensured Southampton thwarted Liverpool. After helping ensure the stalemate, Van Dijk may well become another St Mary’s target for the Reds…

Left back: Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland)

Van Aanholt doesn’t always receive plaudits for his defending but credit where it is due here, as the flying full back not only contributed to attack but completed a double clearance off the line to more than do his part in keeping a vital clean sheet for the Mackems.

Central midfield: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Returning from around three months left out in the Etihad wilderness, tenacious Toure showed no signs of rust coming in from the cold.

There was a point to prove to Pep Guardiola, and the Ivorian answered critics with a classy and crucial deadly double to help City sneak past Crystal Palace 2-1.

Central midfield: Harry Winks (Tottenham)

Being thrust into the heart of midfield in a London derby on your first full Premier League start at age 20 is a real test of anyone’s mettle. But, Tottenham young-gun Winks took his chance with aplomb and passed with flying colours.

Despite an all-round accomplished performance, Winks’ opportunistic strike to level with West Ham United hinted at big things for the White Hart Lane club’s academy product.

Central midfield: Ander Herrera (Manchester United)

Slick interplay from Basque schemer Herrera, who operated as part of a midfield trio, helped the Red Devils cut open Arsenal for the first goal.

A lovely lofted little assist combined with plenty of usual bite gives the recent Spain cap a slot in our side, as his play helped Man Utd frequently dominate and be unlucky to only come away with a point.

Right wing: Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Mata is the man that just keeps turning up for Man Utd, as the Spaniard continues to exceed expectations. A neat and tidy performanced was topped by crucial potency, though the playmaker’s fine low finish was eventually cancelled out against Arsenal. Man Utd’s most creative player.

Left wing: Victor Anichebe (Sunderland)

Despite Jermain Defoe’s delightful opener to reach his 150th PL goal milestone, one of our attacking slots has to go to his teammate Anichebe.

Following up on his goal from last matchweek, the Nigerian net threat bagged a brace that gave the Black Cats a massive boost to defeat relegation rivals Hull. Now 28, ex-Everton forward Anichebe is proving a game-changer for his old Toffees boss David Moyes.

Centre forward: Harry Kane (Tottenham)

The true hallmark of a top quality hitman is their ability to pop up as if from nowhere, whether they’ve had a good game or bad, and fire in the decisive strikes – which is exactly what Kane did for Spurs against the Hammers.

Turning around the London liaison with two late goals to hand Mauricio Pochettino’s men all three points was vintage Kane, and his match-winning brace ensures the England striker starts up top for our XI.

See who featured in our previous Premier League team of matchweek selections..

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Premier League team of matchweek 12: Toure to the rescue, Winks delights White Hart Lane