There was plenty of action in the game week 11 of the Premier League, with Manchester City dropping points while Liverpool and Chelsea proving their title credentials by marching on to a dominating victory
Liverpool went straight at top of the table thanks to a commanding 6-1 victory over Watford, after erstwhile league leaders Manchester City were held on at home by Middlesbrough with de Roon equalizing in injury time. The keenly awaited North London Derby also ended in a stalemate, which meant Chelsea leapfrogged their London rivals to the second spot after a 5-0 win over Everton.
TheHardTackle’s Premier League team of the week (4-3-3):
Jordan Pickford (GK)
Jordan Pickford has been one of the few bright spots for Sunderland this season, and the 22-year-old continued his recent run of good displays at the weekend. Pickford showcased his quick reflexes and fine shot-stopping abilities against Bournemouth, helping the team to register their first league win of the season.
The Englishman ended up making six saves on Saturday, with a touch to tip the ball over the bar from a Joshua King shot turning out to the huge difference-maker for the visitors, who had to play with 10 men for the final 30 mins or so.
Victor Moses (RB/ RWB)
The Nigerian winger has been a revelation in a more defensive role for Chelsea, and has established himself as a key cog of Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system.
Victor Moses offered variety going forward with his pace and tempting crosses, and yet was very disciplined in terms of defensive duties and tracking back against Everton.
Michael Dawson (CB)
Hull went into the game desperate for a win after a run of five back to back defeats, while Southampton were high on confidence after a win over Inter Milan. The home team needed a spirited performance to get a good result at the weekend, and their captain did just that at the heart of the defence.
Dawson put in a commanding defensive display, making some incredible blocks to stop the Saints from scoring. Much deservedly, the defender ended up scoring the winner.
David Luiz (CB)
One of the huge beneficiaries of the 3-4-3 system deployed by manager Antonio Conte has been David Luiz. The Brazilian put in yet another defensively sound performance, effortlessly handling the challenges posed by Romelu Lukaku and Everton in general.
The centre-back’s front-foot defending and ability to pass out of the back was on display at the weekend, as Chelsea completed yet another clean-sheet — their fifth on the trot.
George Friend (LB)
Middlesbrough snatched a late point at the Etihad Stadium, much to the heartbreak of Manchester City, who now slip to the third spot in the table.
George Friend was at his defensive best when the home team produced wave after wave of attack in the first 45 mins. The Englishman turned out to the most decisive player in the second half, producing an excellent cross for de Roon to score the equalizer in the 91st min.
Paul Pogba (CM)
Paul Pogba produced probably his best performance for Manchester United at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
The former Juventus man scored in the most outrageous fashion with a sensational volley from his hip height to open the scoring. The midfielder ran the show throughout the game for the visitors, dominating on both ends of the pitch.
Phillipe Coutinho (AM)
One complain from the diminutive Brazilian was his lack of consistency, but it seems this season Coutinho is finally coming of age.
The playmaker has been sensational this year, and same was the case on Sunday. Coutinho was chiefly responsible for everything good Liverpool created, and not surprisingly ended up scoring once while setting-up his team for another in the 6-1 victory at the weekend.
Eden Hazard (AM)
After a poor 2015/16, Eden Hazard has responded in some style under Antonio Conte. The Belgian looked at his very best, scoring two delightful goals on Saturday, to lift Chelsea to the second place.
Such was Hazard’s performance at the weekend, that the Everton players couldn’t even come anywhere close to him. The forward has now scored seven league goals this season, after scoring only 4 in the previous season.
Sadio Mane (FW)
Summer signing Sadio Mane has been phenomenal for Liverpool this season, and the winger was at his explosive best yet again on Sunday.
Mane’s direct run troubled Watford all evening, as the former Southampton player ended up scoring a brace at the weekend; making it six goals and two assists in this league campaign for the player (via Whoscored)
Diego Costa (FW)
Another player who has seen his form improve vastly under Antonio Conte, is Diego Costa.
Costa was a right nuisance to handle for the Everton defense all night, posing problems with his physicality and ability to play with his back to the goal. He scored once and assisted another on Saturday. The former Atletico Madrid striker is now the top-scorer in the Premier League with 9 goals this season.
Roberto Firmino (FW)
Firmino’s intelligent movements caught Watford off-guard pretty much all evening. The Brazilian’s spatial awareness meant he was always at the right place to make the most of the situation. His understanding with Coutinho and Sadio Mane make the Liverpool’s front-line arguably the most feared trio in the league.
The player scored once and assisted twice in Liverpool’s 6-1 thrashing on Sunday.
