The English Premier League is going right to the wire at the top and bottom. Liverpool slipped up as Man City demolished Newcastle, and Arsenal are one win away from sealing the top four race. With Norwich and Watford guaranteed a place in the Championship, Leeds, Everton, and Burnley battle out to retain their top tier EPL status.
Formation 4-3-3
Goalkeeper – Jordan Pickford (Everton) *Star of the Week*
For the second week running Jordan Pickford has been a shining light for Everton Football Club. One of the six clubs who have never been relegated, the Toffees need standout performances like what their goalkeeper has been delivering. Top draws save after top draw save; Everton would not have walked away with the 2-1 results over Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
Defender – Marc Cucurella (Brighton Hove & Albion)
Bombed forward extremely well, even though he played on the left of a back three. Capping off a brilliant debut season with his first Premier League goal against Manchester United, also earning a clean sheet at the Amex.
Defender – Aymeric Laporte (Man City)
Excellent positioning to grab Man City’s second goal and looked solid in the backline. The Spanish national put in a solid performance.
Defender – Pontus Jansson (Brentford)
Pontus Jansson had to endure a testing battle against Southampton’s best player of the season in my opinion, Armando Broja, and came out on top more often than not. The big Swede was also able to get his name on the scoresheet scoring Brentford’s opening goal of a 3-0 win.
Defender – Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford)
The biggest man on the field, Kristoffer Ajer, netted a goal you would not have guessed he’d bag. Like always, Kristoffer was aerially dominant and managed his defensive role quite comfortably.
Midfielder – Moises Caicedo (Brighton Hove & Albion)
Just like his counterpart on this game week’s team of the week, Moises Caiciedo scored his first Premier League goal. He bossed the midfield and strung so many passes together hardly ever losing possession.
Midfielder – Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal)
Stringing a good run of fixtures together, Mohamed Elneny has been instrumental in the last three. Reliable in every facet, the Egyptian midfielder worked hard defensively, was calm in possession of the ball and picked passes to open Leeds up throughout the fixture.
Midfielder – Said Benrahma (West Ham)
Said Benrahma opened West Ham’s account against relegated Norwich with a deflected effort, and then found his second effectively ending the fixture before the half-time whistle. The Moroccan national did what you’d expect against the Canaries.
Forward – Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Wilfried Zaha scores again for Palace. Zaha was the first to test Watford’s goalkeeper, and finally passed that test in the 30th minute from the penalty spot, sending Ben Foster the wrong way to net his 14th of the season for the Eagles.
Forward – Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)
Eddie Nketiah is on the second player to score twice in the opening 10 minutes of a Premier League fixture after Nwankwo Kanu. The way he started the game, set the tone for everyone. Like his counterpart, he has been picking up the responsibility given to him by the manager in full stride as the youngster leads the frontline.
Forward – Raheem Sterling (Man City)
After unable to make an impact coming of the bench against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Raheem Sterling was able to make the starting XI against Newcastle in a bid to open the gap against title contenders Liverpool. Sterling broke the deadlock with a close-range header, and player well on the right wing throughout. His quick and agile movement afforded him a chance to put City way ahead late in second half stoppage time and he did so bagging his second – City’s fifth.
Written by Joshua Gaillard
