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Premier League Team Of The Week: Round 22
Every week Goal.com's Alan Dawson picks out his best performers in the Premier League. This week there are ten clubs that are represented in the Best XI...
21-Jan-2009 2:30:05 AM
BEST XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper
Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City)
Over the course of the game Chelsea managed to bombard Stoke's goal a staggering 40 times. Most of which were off-target but Sorensen kept the the Potters ahead with some fine one-handed saving. The Dane managed to frustrate Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka, and Ashley Cole. Along with the rest of his side he was desperately unlucky to leave Stamford Bridge empty handed.
Defence
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
He's not bad this Zabaleta lad. This is the third time that he's been included in Goal.com's Best XI, which is not bad when you're in your rookie season and you have to contend with the dynamic Jose Bosingwa and the still burgeoning Glen Johnson. Zabaleta's powerful shot was the only goal of the game. Worth noting that he played for the Citizens in central midfield, but I don't want to put him there, I want to put him here. Go on Pablo, play for me here.
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
A masterful showing in defence from the promising Englishman. When Fernando Torres was through on goal after a 'Hail Mary' pass from Sami Hyypia in defence it looked as though the Spaniard finishing on target was a sure thing, with a little nip here and a cheeky tug there though Jagielka did enough to put the Euro 2008 champ off his stride.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
Vidic is the perfect partner: Rio plays well with him, and now young Jonny does too. Bolton's looping long balls were instantly countered by the Serb, and if you thought the Trotters may find joy from set play then you'd be wrong too. The £7 million it took to convince Spartak Moscow to part company with the player three years ago looks cheaper by the match-day.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
If he put in performances like this week-in, week-out, then if I were Wayne Bridge I'd be thinking my squad status in the England camp may not be so assured. Take a peek Fabio, the lad's alright. His positional sense was good, his blocks were great, and he ran the lines and got forward at the right moments, too. His supply from the wide areas is key when Everton lack natural width on that flank.
Midfield
Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion)
Who is he? Some of you may ask. Well he's a brilliant Baggie for one, not only did his double help the Albion to a much-needed three points but it helped lift his side off th... oh wait, no. They're still bottom. Another convincing win though could mathematically take them into 12th. His first goal took a Fortune-ate deflection, while his second involved some intelligent linking via Brunt.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
He's featured in countless Best XI's and has been lauded in this series for quite some time now as the forerunning candidate for the Player of the Season. Was never afraid to shoot, and tried to inspire his team when they were down, all while wearing the captain's armband on his sleeve. His ability to play a pass was also highlighted as he fed his forwards with on-a-plate through balls.
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Most of the talk will be on the dismissal of Ashley Young and whether or not the Villans will miss him, but when you have Barry ticking things other plumly in the centre his absence may not cause too much concern. The Midlanders had to come from behind to steal the win, and Barry had to keep his nerve to convert his penalty. That he did though, that he did.
Attack
David di Michele (West Ham United)
There was stiff competition for this spot. Could Robinho's magic have a say? Perhaps Samir Nasri or Steven Gerrard might get in if we played a 4-4-2. James Milner looked lethal for Villa, and even di Michele's team-mate Carlton Cole had a good game. In the end though I'm opting for the veteran journeyman. He showed alertness and a predatory touch for the Hammers' first, and played in Cole with a deft assist for the third and final goal.
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Arsenal defeated Hull by three goals to one and the Dutchman had a hand in all three of the goals. What a guy. He was creative, incisive, and always looked like he wanted to be on the ball. I'm not quite sure what the woodwork did to Van the Man as a boy, but it must have wronged him as he has continuously looked to batter it this season (and last).
Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers)
Struck twice in 20 minutes for the Blue and White halved Lancs on an occasion that would have been especially significant for his manager. His first was a well-struck 10 yarder, while the second was a more modest tap-in.
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper
Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City)
Over the course of the game Chelsea managed to bombard Stoke's goal a staggering 40 times. Most of which were off-target but Sorensen kept the the Potters ahead with some fine one-handed saving. The Dane managed to frustrate Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka, and Ashley Cole. Along with the rest of his side he was desperately unlucky to leave Stamford Bridge empty handed.
Defence
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
He's not bad this Zabaleta lad. This is the third time that he's been included in Goal.com's Best XI, which is not bad when you're in your rookie season and you have to contend with the dynamic Jose Bosingwa and the still burgeoning Glen Johnson. Zabaleta's powerful shot was the only goal of the game. Worth noting that he played for the Citizens in central midfield, but I don't want to put him there, I want to put him here. Go on Pablo, play for me here.
Phil Jagielka (Everton)
A masterful showing in defence from the promising Englishman. When Fernando Torres was through on goal after a 'Hail Mary' pass from Sami Hyypia in defence it looked as though the Spaniard finishing on target was a sure thing, with a little nip here and a cheeky tug there though Jagielka did enough to put the Euro 2008 champ off his stride.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
Vidic is the perfect partner: Rio plays well with him, and now young Jonny does too. Bolton's looping long balls were instantly countered by the Serb, and if you thought the Trotters may find joy from set play then you'd be wrong too. The £7 million it took to convince Spartak Moscow to part company with the player three years ago looks cheaper by the match-day.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
If he put in performances like this week-in, week-out, then if I were Wayne Bridge I'd be thinking my squad status in the England camp may not be so assured. Take a peek Fabio, the lad's alright. His positional sense was good, his blocks were great, and he ran the lines and got forward at the right moments, too. His supply from the wide areas is key when Everton lack natural width on that flank.
Midfield
Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion)
Who is he? Some of you may ask. Well he's a brilliant Baggie for one, not only did his double help the Albion to a much-needed three points but it helped lift his side off th... oh wait, no. They're still bottom. Another convincing win though could mathematically take them into 12th. His first goal took a Fortune-ate deflection, while his second involved some intelligent linking via Brunt.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
He's featured in countless Best XI's and has been lauded in this series for quite some time now as the forerunning candidate for the Player of the Season. Was never afraid to shoot, and tried to inspire his team when they were down, all while wearing the captain's armband on his sleeve. His ability to play a pass was also highlighted as he fed his forwards with on-a-plate through balls.
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Most of the talk will be on the dismissal of Ashley Young and whether or not the Villans will miss him, but when you have Barry ticking things other plumly in the centre his absence may not cause too much concern. The Midlanders had to come from behind to steal the win, and Barry had to keep his nerve to convert his penalty. That he did though, that he did.
Attack
David di Michele (West Ham United)
There was stiff competition for this spot. Could Robinho's magic have a say? Perhaps Samir Nasri or Steven Gerrard might get in if we played a 4-4-2. James Milner looked lethal for Villa, and even di Michele's team-mate Carlton Cole had a good game. In the end though I'm opting for the veteran journeyman. He showed alertness and a predatory touch for the Hammers' first, and played in Cole with a deft assist for the third and final goal.
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Arsenal defeated Hull by three goals to one and the Dutchman had a hand in all three of the goals. What a guy. He was creative, incisive, and always looked like he wanted to be on the ball. I'm not quite sure what the woodwork did to Van the Man as a boy, but it must have wronged him as he has continuously looked to batter it this season (and last).
Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers)
Struck twice in 20 minutes for the Blue and White halved Lancs on an occasion that would have been especially significant for his manager. His first was a well-struck 10 yarder, while the second was a more modest tap-in.
Sorensen
Zabaleta - Jagielka - Vidic - Baines
Koren - Lampard - Barry
di Michele v Persie
Roberts
Zabaleta - Jagielka - Vidic - Baines
Koren - Lampard - Barry
di Michele v Persie
Roberts
Honourable Mentions
Jonny Evans (Manchester United)
James Milner (Aston Villa)
Paul Konchesky (Fulham)
Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers)
Jay Simpson (West Bromwich Albion)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Robinho (Manchester City)
Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion)
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
David James (Portsmouth)
Samir Nasri (Arsenal)
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
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