Best Premier League XI of the week featuring Liverpool and Watford duo
Another eventful weekend of Premier League action is behind us, as we head into a two-week hiatus owing to the first international break of the new season.
Liverpool and Chelsea notched up their fourth straight win against Leicester City and Bournemouth, while Watford beat Tottenham Hotspur to jump third in the table with four wins from four games. Elsewhere, there were victories for both the Manchester clubs, while Arsenal edged past Cardiff City in a thrilling encounter.
West Ham United’s torrid start to the campaign continued against newbies Wolverhampton Wanderers, whereas Southampton registered their first win of the season beating Crystal Palace.
Reflecting on the latest round of fixtures, let’s take a look as to who makes the cut to the Team of the Week for match week four.
GK: Rui Patricio (Wolves)
The Portuguese international was once again crucial to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as they registered their first win of the campaign against West Ham United. Patricio produced a stunning save to deny Michail Antonio, before pulling off another sensational stop to keep Marko Arnautovic out in the first half. If not for him in the goal, the scoreline would’ve read much differently for the Midlands’ outfit on Saturday.
RB: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
The England international scored his first goal for the Cityzens and he did so in style, thumping in a long-range drive past Martin Dubravka to lead Pep Guardiola’s side to a narrow 2-1 win over Newcastle United. He was a constant threat with his relentless forays down the right side.
CB: Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Easily the Reds’ best defender as they edged past Leicester City 2-1 at King Power on Saturday. The young Englishman is making huge strides in the centre-back position this season. Dealt with the threat posed by the speedy Demarai Gray comfortably, using the ball intelligently from the back in another accomplished display.
CB: Craig Cathcart (Watford)
Despite being 1-0 down against Spurs, the Hornets came back to defeat them 2-1 with Cathcart hammering home the winning goal. The injury-prone defender was a huge influence for Javi Gracia’s side at both ends of the pitch with his aerial prowess, while he played an important role in keeping Harry Kane quiet.
LB: Jose Holebas (Watford)
Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso was a strong contender after another scintillating display against Bournemouth. However, Holebas gets the nod at left-back for the Team of the Week. The Greek defender bagged the assists for both the Hornets’ goals, setting up captain Troy Deeney for the first before another perfect delivery into the box was converted by Cathcart.
RW: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
In what was a hard-fought victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men against the Foxes, the Senegalese attacker was their best player in the final third. Mane opened the scoring with a clinical finish just ten minutes into the game and his pace and movement kept the Leicester defence on their toes all afternoon.
CM: Philip Billing (Huddersfield Town)
The 22-year-old was the Terriers’ best player as they held out for a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. Billing scored the only goal for David Wagner’s side while putting in a combative display in the middle of the park, winning all of his attempted tackles and dribbles.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Southampton)
The 23-year-old Dane got his name on the scoresheet as the Saints’ beat Crystal Palace 2-0 to register their first win of the season. Hojbjerg, apart from scoring the goal, was a solid presence in the centre, often cutting out attacks and breaking up moves with a number of key tackles and interceptions.
LW: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The Belgian wing-wizard tormented the Bournemouth defence throughout the length of the match at Stamford Bridge. He got a well-deserved goal as well, leading the charts for the most number of key passes and most number of successful dribbles against Eddie Howe’s Cherries in yet another match-defining display.
ST: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
The Manchester United striker stepped it up on Sunday, scoring twice as the Red Devils eased past Burnley 2-0. It was a dominant display from the Belgian, who could have easily gotten more goals under his belt.
Read More: Two players Everton should go for in January – including this Manchester United wall
ST: Glenn Murray (Brighton & Hove Albion)
A shout-out to Alexandre Lacazette who scored and assisted for Arsenal as they beat Cardiff 3-2, but it is Glenn Murray who makes the cut after a brilliant brace to help Brighton earn a 2-2 draw against Fulham. The 34-year-old continues to defy age with his exceptional performances.
