The Football-Talk Team Of The Weekend: Schurrle And Ozil Impress

The winter season is tricky to negotiate; due to both a congested fixture list, and the inevitable decrease in temperature. Just ask Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o…

But while you cannot stop the temperature from dropping; Eto’o, Chelsea, and the rest of the Premier League’s top sides will be hoping not to drop too many more points over this festive season, after a poor weekend for the majority of the top six.

Chelsea came unstuck against a tough Stoke outfit on Saturday, losing 3-2; while Man Utd slipped to yet another damaging  1-0 home defeat, this time to Newcastle.

Arsenal were unable to fully capitalize on Chelsea’s slip-up, but still managed to put 5 points between them and their London rivals after an entertaining 1-1 draw with Everton on the Sunday.

Man City also lost their winning way, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at Southampton.

However, Liverpool and Tottenham were able to secure valuable wins. Brendan Rodgers’ side move up to second after their 4-1 win over West Ham; while Spurs came from behind at the Stadium of Light to register a 2-1 win over Sunderland.

Here is the Football-Talk Team of the Weekend, Gameweek 14:

Simon Mignolet, Liverpool, Goalkeeper

The Liverpool keeper has only kept one clean sheet in his last five games, would you believe it; but his terrific one-handed save from the Hammers’ Maiga in the first half is certainly enough to earn him a spot in the Team of the Week.

Kyle Walker, Tottenham, Defender

It was another display of keen attacking invention in the win against Sunderland from Walker. Man-of-the-Match on the day; with performances like this, he should be a very useful commodity in Brazil next summer.

Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool, Defender

Ever since his heroics for France, namely the brace that he netted that sent them to the World Cup, I have been surprised that Brendan Rodgers has kept the Sakho sat on the bench until now.

But, the 23-year-old was sensational against the Hammers; registering a 97% pass completion ratio, winning half his aerial duels, and a scoring another goal to boot. A talent, that certainly needs to play.

John Terry, Chelsea, Defender

While the Blues shipped three goals for the second consecutive match, this time ending in a 3-2 loss, John Terry was a superb leader on the pitch for his side. Standing strong in the face of the brutish Stoke aggressors, Terry tried desperately to lead by example, and set his side back on the path to victory. It was not to be Chelsea’s day, but Terry had an excellent game.

Alexandar Kolarov, Man City, Defender

The Serb has been in my Team of the Week a good few times now, as I am a real fan of his attacking attitude, namely his swashbuckling runs down the flank. Perhaps not the most accomplished defender, but with another assist to his name, Kolarov more than compensates in the attacking third.

Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal, Midfielder

Another good performance from the revitalized Welshman; he and the other members of the Gunners’ midfield had an almost telepathic connection at times against Everton. With lovely little give-and-go’s, defence-splicing passes, and intricate interplay; Arsenal showed once more how they are a very serious threat – supremely typified by that man, Ramsey.

Yohan Cabaye, Newcastle, Midfielder

Alan Pardew’s men have been on quite a run of late, if you exclude the Swansea defeat of last week. Their tremendous 1-0 win over United at Old Trafford was just reward for their efforts during the game on Saturday, with French midfielder Cabaye particularly impressive. A nice finish for the goal too!

Mesut Ozil, Arsenal, Midfielder

The German maestro was integral to the slick football presented by the Gunners on Saturday against Everton. His emphatic finish high into the top of the goal capped off a composed, thoughtful performance for which he was also named the Man-of-the-Match by many newspapers.

Moussa Sissoko, Newcastle, Midfielder

Sissoko rather dropped off the radar after some post-January heroics last season; but he was terrific against Utd at the weekend. With a performance that had shades of Yaya Toure about it; the French midfielder strode around the pitch, dominating and ensuring loose balls were quickly snapped up. Left Patrice Evra for dead in the build-up to the winning goal, and played a perfect pass for Cabaye to finish.

Luis Suarez, Liverpool, Striker

Suarez is pretty much incomparable at present. There are those who prefer Man City’s Sergio Aguero, and I agree that he is a fantastic striker. But we must remember that the Argentine had a head start on Suarez, with the Uruguayan having served a 10 game ban from the start of the season. Suarez has still scored more goals than the City hit-man; and grabbed another, and two more assists in the thumping of West Ham. Devastating.

Andre Schurrle, Chelsea, Striker/Winger

The German attacker has, with many of the other Chelsea attacking midfielders, endured a stop-start season so far at Stamford Bridge; which is hardly surprising what with their strength in attacking depth. But Schurrle did exactly what he needed to do against Stoke on Saturday; he scored two goals, and was the hardest working player on the pitch.

A particular highlight of the entertaining fixture at the Britannia, he must surely have earned his spot in the next outing for Jose Mourinho’s men?

What do you think? Anybody else worth a mention? Let me know in the comments below…

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