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

Add as preferred source on Google

Right Centre-Midfield: Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Since linking up with Manchester United after a controversial move from Chelsea, only Wayne Rooney has scored more Premier League goals for the Red Devils than Juan Mata, and the Spaniard’s latest strike which put José Mourinho’s side ahead at home to Arsenal was a beauty.

The Spain international did brilliantly to take on Ander Herrera’s quick and incisive cut-back with a first-time strike, and he directed it perfectly into the bottom corner beyond the despairing dive of Petr Cech to send Old Trafford into pandemonium. A moment worthy of the occasion. The hosts wouldn’t go the distance and were to be denied all three points late on, but Mata’s finish and his all-round performance in the centre of the park was deserving of recognition.

Centre-Midfield: Yaya Touré (Manchester City)

Ivorian Yaya Touré marked his first league appearance for City since May with his first top-flight brace for the first time in 18 months. It came against Crystal Palace, a club who must be sick of the sight of him for his tendency of netting against them.

Something of a forgotten man in the fledgling months of the Guardiola era at Manchester City, Touré has reminded the Spaniard why he simply can’t omit a player of his standing from the squad, particularly given his immediate impact in a City side that has recently dropped points against Everton, Southampton and Middlesbrough.

All of his teammates flocked around him to celebrate both of his goals, and that in itself tells a story of just how important they view the former African Player of the Year’s contribution to this team, and the high esteem in which he is regarded at the Etihad. The question now is, will Guardiola heed the message?

Left Centre-Midfield: Roberto Pereyra (Watford)

Roberto Pereyra’s curling finish to put Watford 2-0 up against Leicester City was a show of quality that knocked the stuffing out of the champions, and were it not for Ron-Robert Zieler’s intervention he could’ve helped himself to more.

The dynamic midfielder capped by Argentina has been solid centrally for the Hornets but also deadly on the left of midfield, cutting inside onto his right foot and wreaking mayhem with balls into the box and efforts on goal. Leicester simply couldn’t deal with his impact, particularly in the first-half, and paid the price for giving him licence to cause trouble.