Premier League: Team of the Week XII feat. Sunderland and Manchester United stars

Add as preferred source on Google

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Arsenal)

Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal in recent years. They haven’t claimed a league win at United’s home ground since 2006, so to get anything from the game the Gunners would have to be at their best. They weren’t, but they managed to rescue a late point courtesy of Olivier Giroud’s late header but they were also indebted to the brilliance of goalkeeper Petr Cech, who made a series of important saves to keep a below par Arsenal in the game. He was finally undone by Juan Mata’s first time strike from Ander Herrera’s excellent cut-back, but his defiant display in goal kept the Gunners in the game, and ensured Giroud’s late show was not in vain.

Right-Back: Victor Moses (Chelsea)

Having been sent out on loan by Chelsea for three successive seasons, Victor Moses has finally been given a chance by the Blues’ new manager Antonio Conte, and the Nigeria international looks a born-again player under his oratory.

Moses has been thriving in West London ever since Conte changed tact to a 3-4-3 formation, and his role as a wing-back is yielding probably the best form of his career.

At the Riverside in Chelsea’s hard-fought victory over Middlesbrough, he tirelessly got up and down the right flank, offering an outlet and keeping Fabio and Gaston Ramirez on their toes for the hosts. He is beginning to show a useful ability to time his runs to perfection, and his work rate and attitude are really beginning to impress.

Centre-Back: Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton)

Southampton are flying in the Premier League under Claude Puel, but nevertheless, a clash against league leaders Liverpool would always be a tough assignment. Virgil Van Dijk, Saints’ Dutch international defender, was one of many who stepped up to the plate.

He took command in carrying the ball forward and playing it out from the back, making 46 passes against Liverpool, more than any of his teammates.

The Dutchman was tremendous as Southampton rallied for a goal-less draw, and he put the gloss on a terrific defensive performance with a fantastic goal-saving challenge on former team-mate Sadio Mane, who almost certainly would’ve ensured Liverpool took the points were it not for Van Dijk’s intervention.

Centre-Back: Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)

On-loan Chelsea defender Nathan Ake put in a fantastic performance to help the Cherries win away at a resurgent Stoke, and he made a telling contribution at both ends as the visitors survived a Potters onslaught which was partially aided by two questionable penalty incident decisions from referee Roger East.

Ake scored a bullet header with his only effort of the game, which ultimately proved enough to see Bournemouth escape with the points, whilst he also made 15 clearances from inside his own box, more than any of his teammates.

Left-Back: Patrick Van Aanholt (Sunderland)

Dutch full-back Patrick Van Aanholt was another defender who made a telling contribution at both ends for his team on Matchday Twelve. It was his assist for Victor Anichebe’s goal that clinched the game for the hosts, and he twice cleared off his own line to preserve a clean sheet.

The 26-year-old also showed his incredible work rate in Sunderland’s victory, bombing up the wing in support of the attack and always looked to get back and help defend, whilst neutralising the threat of Hull danger-man Robert Snodgrass.