Premier League team of matchweek seven: Grant’s Stoke heroics and Payet solo strike
Published:
Lee Gormley | October 3, 2016
Premier League team of matchweek seven
The Premier League table is starting to take shape and, after a thrilling matchweek seven full of drama and upsets, Coral picked out the best XI from the latest set of fixtures.
Tottenham’s victory over Manchester City was the biggest story of the weekend clashes, as Pep Guardiola saw his perfect top tier record come to an abrupt halt, while their rivals Manchester United were held by a defiant Stoke City.
So, following the recent top-flight encounters, here is our Premier League team of matchweek seven…
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Lee Grant (Stoke City)
Many expected Man Utd to oust struggling Stoke at Old Trafford, but nobody told stand-in goalkeeper Grant, who produced a memorable display to limit the Red Devils to scoring just one goal.
Anthony Martial’s effort was unstoppable but Grant was on hand to deny the likes of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on numerous occasions, with Joe Allen going on to snatch a late point.
Right back: Kyle Walker (Spurs)
In Tottenham’s solid 2-0 success over the Sky Blues, England full back Walker enjoyed a great display on the right flank, keeping Jesus Navas at bay throughout and he started the move which resulted in his side’s eventual penalty.
Centre back: Toby Alderweireld (Spurs)
In the heart of the Spurs defence Alderweireld was an absolute rock and showed no fear coming up against Sergio Aguero, with the brilliant Belgian forging a formidable partnership with Jan Vertonghen to keep another and unexpected clean sheet.
Centre back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Burnley gallantly held Arsenal out until stoppage time before Koscielny netted a highly controversial late winner, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s attempt going in off the centre back’s arm to gift the Gunners three points.
The France defender was also the catalyst for his team’s clean sheet at Turf Moor, having marshalled Arsene Wenger’s rearguard throughout.
Left back: James Milner (Liverpool)
It looks like Milner has cemented himself as Jurgen Klopp’s regular left back at the expense of Alberto Moreno, after striking again in the 2-1 win over Swansea City, as the makeshift defender slotted home another penalty.
Centre midfield: Dele Alli (Spurs)
Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs were helped on to success by an own-goal from Aleksandar Kolarov, but Alli also fired in the second of the clash, as he raced onto a well-timed through ball from in-form attacker Son Heung-min.
Centre midfield: Joe Allen (Stoke City)
Welsh midfielder Allen was superb in Stoke’s central areas, doing well up against the world’s most expensive player Pogba and his outstanding showing was capped off by a late equaliser, which ultimately secured the visitors a point.
Right wing: Willian (Chelsea)
In Chelsea’s comfortable 2-0 triumph over Hull City, Brazil wideman Willian was excellent, opening proceedings at the KC Stadium with a sublime curling strike which gave David Marshall absolutely no chance. He also created three scoring chances in a dazzling display.
Attacking midfield: Nacer Chadli (West Brom)
Belgium international Chadli is continuing to repay West Bromwich Albion’s club record £13m which they paid in the summer, as he brilliantly tucked home a clinical opener in the draw with Sunderland. The Baggies ace was a constant threat going forward and is relishing being the main man in the West Midlands.
Left wing: Dimitri Payet (West Ham)
French playmaker Payet is single-handedly trying to lift West Ham United from their nightmare start to the football campaign, and he dispatched a goal of the season contender in the weekend draw against Middlesbrough.
The Hammers star danced in off the left wing and completely tore the Boro defence to shreds, before sliding in a crucial strike for Slaven Bilic’s Londoners at the Olympic Stadium.
Striker: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)
Belgian frontman Benteke looks back to be rebuilding his confidence at Palace after a harrowing spell with Liverpool, with the striker having secured a draw for his side with a towering header against Everton in Friday Night Football.
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