Arsenal

The ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend – Suarez & Wilshere Outstanding

After another pulsating weekend of Premier League action that saw wins for the top six, we present our team of the weekend. Do you agree with the lineup?

by
Tom Gatehouse
January 14, 2014

There were wins across the board for the Premier League elite this weekend, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City recording routine victories.

Liverpool were made to work for their three points by Stoke, with Brendan Rodgers’ side just edging a pulsating game, 5-3, at the Britannia Stadium.

Manchester United got their revenge over Swansea, winning 2-0 at Old Trafford only a few days after the Swans had dumped David Moyes’ side out of the FA Cup, while Tottenham eased past Crystal Palace at the Lane.

Here is the Football-Talk Team of the weekend for Gameweek 21:

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech, Chelsea

The Czech keeper kept his 209th Chelsea clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Hull, surpassing the club record held by Peter Bonetti in just over half the time. A true Blues legend, the 31-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, and kept the Steve Bruce’s Hull at bay throughout.

Left-Back: Aleksander Kolarov, Manchester City

Yet another outstanding performance from the Serb, who played his part in City’s 2-0 win at Newcastle. The 28-year-old is such a threat going forward, and if he can keep up the consistency at the back, then he could well find himself in the ‘Team of the Season’ come the end of the campaign.

Centre-Back: Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United

The United skipper was in commanding form against Swansea on Saturday, keeping Wilfried Bony at bay alongside Chris Smalling, and helping the Red Devils exact sweet revenge over Michael Laudrup’s side for their FA Cup exit days earlier.

Centre-Back: Phil Jagielka, Everton

Everton’s returning defender slotted in seamlessly into the heart of the Toffees’ defence, and showed once more why he should be one of the first defenders on the plane for Brazil his summer.

Right-Back: Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City

Tireless as ever, the Argentine was at his rampaging best in the win at St James Park. Surely the best right-back in the Premier League at the moment?

Central Midfield: Jack Wilshere, Arsenal

Young Jack thrived in the absence of Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta in the win at Villa Park, and was arguably Arsenal’s best player on the day. Wilshere scored the first, and set up the second; it is frightening to think that he is still only 22!

Central Midfield: Gareth Barry, Everton

A typically unselfish defensive performance from the former Man City man, but this time the 32-year-old managed to get on the scoresheet with a left-footed thunderbolt, his 50th Premier League goal.

England boss Roy Hodgson was watching from the stands, and may give serious consideration to the idea of taking the midfielder with him to the World Cup this summer.

Left-Wing: Eden Hazard, Chelsea

Another game, another goal for Chelsea’s man-of-the-moment; Hazard now has nine goals and eight assists this season, and is blossoming into a fantastic wide-man. A Ballon d’Or nomination not too far in the future?

Attacking Midfield: Adnan Januzaj, Man Utd

Clearly the outstanding player in United’s 2-0 win over Swansea on the weekend, the 18-year-old has such a bright future if nurtured well. The big worry for United will be that the youngster could suffer burnout, with David Moyes having to play him almost every game due to his stunning ability.

Right-Wing: Adam Johnson, Sunderland

The forgotten England man put in a terrific performance in the 4-1 win at Fulham at the weekend. Johnson smashed in a hat-trick, and generally tormented the Cottagers’ back-line throughout. A dark horse for a place on the plane to Brazil, the 26-year-old has such a talent, but can he consistently show it?

Striker: Luis Suarez, Liverpool

Banged in two goals, and led the line superbly for Liverpool as they triumphed 5-3 at Stoke on the weekend. The Uraguyan welcomed back his partner-in-crime Daniel Sturridge during the game, and the two combined well for Suarez’ second. The SAS are back! Who can stop them?

Goal of the Weekend: Gareth Barry vs Norwich

Player of the Weekend: Jack Wilshere