Premier League: Team of the Week XXXI feat. Liverpool and Tottenham stars

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Right-Forward: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)

Despite chipping in with a handful of big goals last season, the general consensus was that Tottenham hadn’t got value for money with the purchase of Son Heung-Min from Bayer Leverkusen. Fast-forward 12 months and a what a difference this man has made to the cause this campaign. The South Korean has been a revelation both out wide and in the central-striker role during the absence of Harry Kane at different points in the season, and called upon once more against Watford, he had a hand in all four of Spurs’ goals. His first contribution a neat one-two with Dele Alli on the left side of the Hornets’ penalty area, to which the England youngster cut-inside, dropped his shoulder and curled a thunderbolt beyond visiting goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

His second contribution came just six minutes later, his deflected cross finding Eric Dier, who fired home first-time upon receiving the ball, and then Son got onto the score-sheet himself, collecting Christian Eriksen’s pass inside with his back to goal, before swivelling and crashing a low shot across Gomes and into the net for 3-0, and he wasn’t finished there. Son helped himself to his second of the afternoon after meeting Kieran Trippier’s cross with an instinctive volley at the far post, and almost had his hat-trick after latching onto Trippier’s through-ball inside from the right, only to see his effort come back off the upright. Inches from a wonderful treble, but the shining Son was once more too hot for Spurs’ shell-shocked opponents to handle. A constant menace.

Centre-Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

Even at the ripe old age of 35, Zlatan Ibrahimovic still brings so much to the table, and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have developed a dependence on the mercurial Swede to help unlock opposition and win games. Often this has transpired to their detriment, but at Sunderland, Zlatan was at his best and the Red Devils were simply rampant on Wearside.

Once again tasked with leading the line on his own, Ibrahimovic provided the breakthrough with a beautifully executed 20-yard snapshot, before laying the ball on for Marcus Rashford to round off the afternoon’s work with United’s third of the day. In truth they were in control for much of the game, though their task was made slightly easier by referee Craig Pawson’s bizarre decision to send off Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson.

However, being able to put teams lower down the table to bed, a task which at times they have struggled with this season, will be vital if United are to make a late break for a coveted top four spot, and the experience, quality and influence of players like Ibrahimovic will be crucial in their success.

Left-Forward: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

The match at Bournemouth saw Eden Hazard net his 14th Premier League goal of the season, which is not only a reflection of the Belgian’s form but his best ever tally since arriving in England. Given the form that he has showed not only on Gameweek 31, but throughout the season, few would argue that it has been the best season in terms of form in his career.

On the South Coast, Hazard was the epitome of confidence, and was paramount to Antonio Conte’s system of sitting deep and breaking forward at will. The classic Italian contain-and-counter was executed to perfection by the Blues, and Hazard’s goal showed just how it should be done, with a wonderfully timed run to remain onside, before rounding Artur Boruc and sliding the ball home with the Cherries’ defence trailing in his wake. It is such quality, which he has shown in abundance this season under Conte, in a system where he is free to express himself, which has the watchful eyes of Real Madrid observing his progress, and with rumours circulating about the futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, an approach from the Spanish giants may not be far away.

Premier League: Team of the Week XXXI

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Coach: Jurgen Klopp

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