The Premier League is slowly starting to take shape and although there are a few anomalies such as Southampton in second place and Newcastle in the relegation zone, the table is starting to settle, which is why it’s imperative Newcastle start to win soon or they could be in a relegation battle. Surprisingly Diego Costa doesn’t feature in this week’s team of the week, while Graziano Pelle was unlucky to miss out after his wonder goal. The team is:
Goal Keeper:
Tim Howard
The goalkeeper had a good match at the weekend, preventing Liverpool from going to far head, providing the platform for Phil Jagielka to score the equaliser. He made good stops to halt Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling. Although the Liverpool attack hasn’t been that strong of late, the American had to put in a good display to ensure his side didn’t lose in the Merseyside derby, the pressure of such a match only increases the importance of some of his saves.
Defenders:
Joel Ward
Crystal Palace are now unbeaten in four matches in the league under Neil Warnock, winning their last two and the defensive solidarity of last season was on show again against Leicester. Joel Ward looked good at the back, making several good interceptions and tackles, while he continued to look a threat in the attacking half. He was one of Palace’s best players last season and looks set to have another good season in the top flight.
Gary Cahill
The Chelsea defender is slowly becoming one of the best central defenders in the league as he consistently puts in assured, dominating performances. Villa were limited to very few chances and that was down to the great reading of the game from the Chelsea defence, while Cahill himself was very dominant aerially. Chelsea have kept a number of clean sheets already this season and if their main four defenders stay fit, teams will struggle to break them down this season.
Phil Jagielka
It may have been a part of his game that Everton were not expecting to play a huge role this weekend, but Phil Jagielka scored a fabulous goal to ensure Everton avoided defeat in the Merseyside derby. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch, he put in one of his best performances of the season, nullifying the threat of Mario Balotelli, which was a difficult task considering Everton’s patchy record at the back this season.
Ryan Bertrand
The left back has struggled to make a name for himself in English football after playing second fiddle at Chelsea for such a long period of time, however he is starting to emerge as a decent full back in the Premier League. He is more well known for his offensive abilities and they showed this weekend as he made a brilliant run behind the QPR defence and finished calmly to ensure Southampton took the lead. He has replaced Luke Shaw excellently and offensively, you could argue the Chelsea loanee is better than Shaw.
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