Premier League Team of the Week IXXX feat. Liverpool and Manchester City stars

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Moussa Dembélé: His return to the starting fold for Spurs proved to be as important as anything else in determining the result of the North London derby. He broke up play with seven tackles, and displayed his almost unique ability to transform defence into attack at a moment’s notice. On a countless number of occasions, it was Dembélé who nicked a foot in to take the ball away from an Arsenal attacker, with this element only adding to what proved to be the complete midfield display. Dembélé’s upper body strength combined with dribbling ability allowed him to glide past challengers before springing a white shirt in space further up the field. He beat a defender on five occasions and each time, set Arsenal on the back foot.

Dimitri Payet: It has recently been reported that the Goodison Park outfit rejected the chance to sign Dimitri Payet over the summer because they saw Ross Barkley as their long-term solution in that role, making the Frenchman’s match-winning performance even more galling. As is so often the case, he ran the show for The Hammers and was the architect of almost everything positive for the Londoners. He created four chances from the dangerous position that the skilful midfielder picked up between the lines of midfield and defence. Payet provided the assist for Diafra Sakho’s equaliser and demonstrated an exceptionally cool head to place the ball underneath an onrushing Robles to snatch the winner in injury-time.

David Silva: David Silva was afforded far too much room to operate in against a disheartened Aston Villa side who failed to keep tabs on the renowned creator extraordinaire. At times, Silva was able to simply stroll across the pitch into pockets of space, creating three chances for team-mates in the process and also coming up with a couple of assists which helped to secure City’s healthy margin of victory. The Spaniard first provided a goal for Yaya Touré, laying the ball across the penalty area unselfishly for the Ivorian to pass it into the corner of the net. Sergio Aguero was the beneficiary of David Silva’s work later in the match as the pair combined in a way which we have observed so many times over the years, with Aguero eventually firing home after a delicate chipped through ball by City’s number 21.

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Max Gradel: Bournemouth’s speed merchant showed no signs of rustiness after still being in the reintegration phase following a long-term lay-off due to ligament damage. Max Gradel has enjoyed a fine couple of appearances back after that period on the side-lines and his display against a hapless Newcastle United was no different. It was his quick feet and balance in the build-up to Bournemouth’s opener that allowed Josh King to be found in space. The former Leeds winger and Ivory Coast international looks like he has never been away and some of the link-up play that he took part in with his team-mates was first class. With the south coast outfit surely on the verge of confirming their stay in the Premier League for another season, we are in for an entertaining last few matches with Gradel creating havoc for all opposition they come up against.

Wilfried Zaha: The former Manchester United youngster was a thorn in Liverpool’s side all afternoon, often drawing at least three white-shirted defenders to him on Palace’s right flank. It was clear that Klopp had identified both Zaha and Bolasie as The Eagles’ danger men; not much of a surprise decision, and while not too much came directly from the feet of the Englishman, he created such fear in the Liverpool back-line that yards of space became available for team-mates. He displayed some superb trickery and ran Alberto Moreno ragged at times, forcing the Spaniard into a couple of rash challenges. Wilfried Zaha has clearly evolved from the player who was determined to try and beat an entire team on his own. While this was wondrous to watch at times, it was not always the most effective for his team. Now though, Zaha picks his moments with great maturity, using his outstanding natural ability to hold the ball up and attract the attention of defenders, while still possessing the speed to beat a man at will if the situation requires it.