The ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Ozil, Hazard & Townsend All Feature

It was ‘as you were’ for the EPL this weekend after another lengthy international break, and us fans were treated to a goal frenzy of sorts from the Premier League’s top teams.

Goals come in all shapes and sizes, and this was clearly highlighted on the weekend, with a plethora of varying methods being put on display. From the controversial to the exquisite, taking points were aplenty after a welcomingly exciting round of domestic ties.

Chelsea and Arsenal racked up four goals apiece in their respective Saturday encounters, and Man City powered through to defeat West Ham. Man Utd’s turmoil under new boss David Moyes continued however, with a home draw against Southampton; while Liverpool will be disappointed not have secured all three points against a weakened Newcastle. Elsewhere, Tottenham eased to victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, pushing them up to fifth.

Here is the ‘Football-talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 8,

 Hugo Lloris, Tottenham, Goalkeeper

While not a weekend of clean sheets for all of the top tier keepers, Lloris was one of the few who secured that most coveted of weekly defensive awards. A solid yet largely uneventful showing on Sunday, largely due to the relatively slow pace of the game, Spurs eased to a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park, giving the Frenchman a fifth clean sheet in eight Premier League games. The result will surely help erase the memory of the drubbing at the hands of West Ham two weeks ago.

Matija Nastasic, Man City, Defender

A firm first choice in the heart of the City defence, the young Serb further justified his ever growing reputation with a safe and solid performance in the 3-1 win over West Ham at Upton Park. Saturday’s win was their first away win of the current Premier League season, and their first since May! Nastasic stood firm alongside his defensive colleagues and, despite Ricardo Vaz Te’s overhead goal, kept the Hammers at bay while City did the damage up front.

John Terry, Chelsea, Defender

Chelsea’s skipper continues his renaissance of sorts under his old mentor, Mourinho, as he showed off both his attacking and defensive qualities in the 4-1 Saturday win over newly promoted Cardiff.

With his defensive partner, David Luiz doing his best impression of an ambivalent circus clown for the Welsh side’s opening goal, Terry marshalled the shaken defence masterfully, and continuously threatened from offensive set plays, skimming a post with a trademark glancing header in the first half.

Jan Vertonghan, Tottenham, Defender

One of Spurs’ growing contingent of Belgian stars, Vertonghan was much the ‘libero’ in Sunday’s win over Villa. Sweeping forward with unshackled confidence, the centre-back was often seen looking menacing on the edge of the opposition’s box, angling for a pass, or shaping to shoot. A key cog in the Tottenham machine, the big man will surely get the nod of approval from boss, Villas-Boas to continue to chug forward and dictate when the opportunity presents itself.

David Silva, Man City, Midfielder

The wily Spaniard was on top form during the victory on Saturday, scoring a peach, and setting up another in the 3-1 win that took City up to fourth spot in the league. With boss Manuel Pellegrini known for his faith in buccaneering attacking midfielders throughout his time as a manager, there can be little doubt as to Silva’s importance to the City cause. Expect to see much more of the 27-year-old pulling strings up in Manchester as the season moves on.

Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal, Midfielder

He’s a right little firecracker at the moment, isn’t he! Aaron ‘dynamo’ Ramsey came up trumps once more this week, despite being stuck on the bench for most of the first half! Another goal, another assist, and another spot on the team of the weekend after helping maintain the Gunner’s tenancy at the top of the EPL after the 4-1 win over Norwich; Arsenal’s new ‘Mr Dependable’ continues to prove everyone wrong, and manager Wenger right with every devastating performance for club and country.

Eden Hazard, Chelsea, Midfielder

The Saturday afternoon kick-off at Stamford Bridge was a rather unexpected affair, not least due to the opening two goals. A huge defensive blunder put Cardiff one up; and then a bizarre incident involving the Bluebirds’ keeper, David Marshall and Chelsea mercenary Samuel Eto’o gave Eden Hazard his first of the afternoon, and the essential equaliser for the Blues.

Hazard wasn’t done yet though, as a mazy run from the left culminated in a quick-fire shot which caught Marshall off guard, and secured a shaky Chelsea all three points.

Mesut Ozil, Arsenal, Midfielder 

Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Norwich was not the easiest, despite the score line. The Canaries put up a good fight, and it was only due to the collective brilliance of the Arsenal frontline that ensured the three points. Ozil in particular, benefited from the outstanding show of attacking intent, and his two goals were fitting tributes to the hard work the Gunners’ attackers put in on Saturday.

The German was at the heart of many of the attacking forays, and his overall performance proved once more the effect his international pedigree has and is having on the revitalised Gunners.

Andros Townsend, Tottenham, Midfielder

Fresh from his heroic exploits for the England national team, it seemed Townsend had plenty left in the tank for the Sunday encounter between Spurs and Villa. Full of attacking invention, tireless running, and deadly wing play, his cross/shot goal put Tottenham on their way to victory, and further increased his meteoric stock. An unearthed diamond, for sure!

Sergio Aguero, Man City, Striker

Aguero has been on top form for City this year, already bagging six goals and four assists from the first eight games. The minute Argentine smashed in a deadly double against West Ham, and set up David Silva for the late third goal that finished game off. With Aguero inflicting such damage on opposition, on an almost weekly basis, Man City will surely continue their ascent, and launch an assault on summit of the Premier League.

Olivier Giroud, Arsenal, Striker

One of the key reasons for Arsenal’s table topping exploits, Giroud kept the hammer down against Norwich, providing two sumptuous assists and remained a menacing presence throughout the 4-1 win. Wilshere’s opening goal, created by Giroud, will be on the shortlist for strike of the year, and is a shoe-in for best team goal of the season,

‘It was certainly one of the best and one I’ve enjoyed the most,’ Wenger said after the game,

‘It was a team goal and it was at the speed you want your team to play at.’

Firmly the number one striker at Arsenal, Giroud is going from strength to strength with each passing game.

Player of the Weekend: Sergio Aguero

What do you think? Quite an attacking line-up this week! Any stars I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below!

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(Football-talk.co.uk covers six of the top teams in England; Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Man Utd, and Man City. The fact that these six teams are the only English clubs covered by the site does not necessarily make them the best six teams in the league. Just to be clear!)