Premier League team of matchweek 27: Rashford repeats heroics
Published:
Lee Gormley | February 29, 2016
Premier League team of the week
Manchester City may have edged out Liverpool on penalties to clinch the Capital One Cup final during the weekend’s action, but there was plenty of Premier League drama too, and from those top-flight fixtures here is Coral’s team of matchweek 27. Do you agree with our selections?
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Heurelho Gomes (Watford)
As Watford keep on track for an impressive top half finish after being promoted this season, Quique Sanchez Flores’s Hornets have their shot stopper to thank for denying Bournemouth an away win.
The former Spurs goal guard produced many superb saves to earn an eventual 0-0 stalemate at Vicarage Road.
Right back: Sam Byram (West Ham)
Young West Ham United full back Byram hasn’t faltered under the pressure since arriving from Leeds United, as he put in a great shift during his side’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland, making a sublime last-ditch tackle to thwart Jack Rodwell from equalising late on.
Centre back: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Taking up a central role in Chelsea’s triumph at Southampton, Ivanovic was heroic at both ends of the St Mary’s turf, firing in a winning header to claim three points and performing gallantly in the backline during a 2-1 result.
Centre back: Robert Huth (Leicester)
Towering Leicester City defender Huth made sure Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes weren’t to let their title hopes slip against Norwich City.
Leonardo Ulloa’s 89th-minute strike secured a crucial three points, but Huth was a rock in the heart of defence alongside Wes Morgan, with Leicester having now conceded only four times in their last nine away outings domestically.
Left back: Danny Rose (Spurs)
Helping Tottenham keep on a close trail of Leicester, full back Rose netted in the 77th minute to bag three points with victory over Swansea City, after Nacer Chadli had began the fight back with a vital equaliser.
The flying wideman kept Andre Ayew pegged back constantly in his own due to incredible bursts forward, which ultimately led to fixture success. Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs face bitter rivals Arsenal next in a clash which could end one of the capital club’s title ambitions.
Right midfield: Michail Antonio (West Ham)
Hammers winger Antonio showcase further fine forward play against Sunderland, as the former Nottingham Forest attacker trickily weaved into the box and struck low to beat Vito Mannone and secure a narrow victory.
Centre midfield: Ander Herrera (Man Utd)
Spanish playmaker Herrera bagged his third league goal of the campaign against Arsene Wenger’s Gunners, as Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United rallied to an impressive 3-2 home ruling.
Their crafty midfielder’s deflected effort proved to be the decisive goal, after Arsenal had twice dispatched, with Herrera having played a starring role, relishing possession and always looking for that forward movement.
Centre midfield: Craig Gardner (West Brom)
In the centre of the park for West Bromwich Albion, Gardner was simply sublime, as he opened the scoring, assisted Craig Dawson’s second goal and cleared off the line from Scott Dann’s header very late on to round off a super outing.
Left midfield: Marko Arnautovic (Stoke)
Arnautovic dispatched twice to gift Mark Hughes’ Stoke City three points and delivery another hammer blow to Aston Villa’s hopes of staying up, as the Austrian tucked home a penalty before a superb solo effort to cap off a 2-1 triumph.
Striker: Saido Berahino (West Brom)
Having recently apologised to his club for previous behaviour, Berahino netted his first Premier League goal since October to hand the Baggies a much-needed win over Alan Pardew’s stuttering Crystal Palace.
Striker: Marcus Rashford (Man Utd)
Following a debut Europa League brace, Rashford repaid Van Gaal’s faith during his maiden senior start by becoming Man Utd’s youngest ever league scorer, as the 18-year-old bagged a brace to help sink bitter rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford.
