Goalkeeper: Tom Heaton (Burnley)
The former Manchester United trainee returned to Old Trafford to haunt his former club with Burnley, and left as the hero for the visitors after a breathtaking performance in a game that United should realistically have won. Some of the best in a string of impressive saves included a great stop to deny Juan Mata, but his point-blank save to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the pick of the bunch. Even former United great Peter Schmeichel described it as one of the greatest ever. It was a day of all-round misfortune for United with Ander Herrera being dismissed and Jose Mourinho also given his marching orders from his technical area, but Heaton was the thorn in their side on his return to the theatre of dreams and without him in their way, they’d probably have taken all three points nonetheless.
Right-Back: Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Attacking-wise, Coleman’s contribution to the Everton cause is unquestionable. His incisive forward runs always wreak havoc on opposition defences and he always looks to let fly towards goal. It adds an extra dimension to the Toffees’ attacking Arsenal, and it was his attempt that led to Everton’s opener after Adrián spilled his effort at goal and the grateful Yannick Bolasie fed Romelu Lukaku who duly did the rest. He also did his bit defensively, his three tackles were surpassed by no other player on the day.
Centre-Back: Michael Keane (Burnley)
It was another big afternoon for another former United academy product in Burnley’s visit to Old Trafford, and Michael Keane also played a big part in helping his side earn a share of the spoils back in Manchester. It was an inspired shift from a player who is beginning to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young defenders.
Tom Heaton’s showstopping performance behind him was of course a major boost to his confidence in defence, but the youngster did his bit in this latest display in an impressive season, putting in more blocks and clearances than any other player on the pitch.
Centre-Back: David Luiz (Chelsea)
David Luiz has been a revelation since his return to Stamford Bridge, helping Antonio Conte’s Blues keep four clean sheets in six league games since rejoining the club, and he was another bastion in the heart of the defence in Chelsea’s visit to St. Mary’s, making four key blocks against an in-form Southampton and helping shut-out the potent Charlie Austin. He has excelled in recent weeks in Antonio Conte’s three-man defence, and he has slotted into the new system and looked a born-again player.
Left-Back: Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal)
Kieran Gibbs has missed a lot of football with injury this season, but he started in Arsenal’s team for a third consecutive week at Sunderland and looked a man determined to make up for lost time, creating more chances than any other player on the pitch during Arsenal’s 4-1 win.
It was his ball which was gratefully snapped up by Olivier Giroud to net the match winner, and he looked inventive down the left flank and combined well with Alex Iwobi throughout the contest at the Stadium of Light. He almost had a second assist to his name moments after feeding Giroud, only recipient Mesut Ozil failed to hit the target.
Having finally hit his stride seemingly since his return from injury, and in a big season for Arsenal, there is every indication that the England international can come of age and play a huge part in the Gunners’ cause.
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