Premier League: Team of the Week XX

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Centre Attacking-Midfield: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Dele Alli’s performance against Chelsea. His two headed goals, created by the craft of Christian Eriksen ensured that the young England international equalled his 2015-16 Premier League goal tally (ten) in 19 appearances this season, compared with 33 last term.

Since the beginning of his Spurs career, the youngster has been accused of not showing up in the big matches, but he quite literally rose to the occasion against Chelsea, his goals scything down Antonio Conte’s record breakers as they sought to hone in on a Premier League record number of consecutive victories in a season.

It was a quiet start to the season following England’s substandard showing at Euro 2016, but he is now looking to be in the form of his career, his latest brace, his third in succession, ensuring he has netted seven goals in his last four Premier League matches.

Pochettino described the youngster as the “most important player to emerge from English football in recent years”. It seems that the £5million man from Milton Keynes Dons is now living up to that billing, his standing ovation after being withdrawn near the end more than merited.

Centre-Forward: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)

Olivier Giroud has had quite the Christmas. His late header against West Brom secured a vital three points, before his scorpion kick against Crystal Palace provided us with a goal of the season contender. When his team needed it most against Bournemouth however, the Frenchman stepped up to the plate, laying on an assist for Lucas Pérez before angling in a header in stoppage time to net a priceless equaliser.

Giroud has only started three times in the Premier League this season having played second fiddle to Alexis Sánchez so far throughout the campaign, but despite establishing a super sub reputation, his latest strike means he has registered  three goals and  two assists in the three games in which he has started.

This latest performance is a testament to his professionalism, doing a job without question when called upon. His goals have single-handedly plucked the Gunners from trouble at times, and being one of the few players on the club’s books who have won titles elsewhere, he is another who has the character it seems to help win a league title. Unfortunately at the Emirates, there are too many who don’t at the moment, and that may prove decisive come the end of the season.

Centre-Forward: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland)

451 games in the Premier League will be a happy milestone for Jermain Defoe, the veteran striker netting two precious penalty kicks against Liverpool to earn a point which may just help his team stave off the drop. His spot-kick brace goals puts him on 11 for the season, making him the fourth player to score 10 or more goals in 10 Premier League seasons, ensuring Defoe joins an elite crowd including Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.

Defoe kept his nerve brilliantly to fire both his spot-kicks home against Liverpool, who were more than a handful for the hosts despite playing their second game in 48 hours after beating Manchester City at Anfield just days earlier. The Reds still remain in the title race, whilst Sunderland inch to just a point away from safety. If they are to make another great escape, it is doubtless that Defoe’s goals will continue to prove critical.

Premier League: Team of the Week XX

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Coach: Alan Curtis

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