Josh It rained Premier League goals on Saturday, with Chelsea and Everton playing out a 3-3 draw while there were at least two scored in every other game. Defences were on top on Sunday, while Swansea City produced a defensive masterclass to keep Watford at bay on Monday. Here’s our fantasy XI.
David De Gea
Boots: Adidas Ace 15 Primeknit
The Manchester United goalkeeper was cat-like in his performance at Anfield on Sunday, clawing away shots from Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino to help his side keep a clean sheet and take the points against their bitter rivals.
Matt Targett
Boots: Adidas Ace 15 Leather
Southampton are a side on the up after back-to-back home wins, and Targett looked to be a real threat playing as a wing-back against West Brom on Saturday. The 20-year-old was denied a deserved goal with a clearance off the line in the first half and put in an excellent all round performance.
Leighton Baines
Boots: Adidas Ace 15
Chelsea and Everton’s match was marred with controversy after John Terry’s equaliser in the 98th minute of play; however Baines was outstanding all game down the left flank, contributing two assists. The Everton defender was also one of few that looked calm and collected when Chelsea put the pressure on.
Charlie Daniels
Boots: Under Armour SpeedForm CRM
AFC Bournemouth recorded their biggest win in the Premier League to date, putting three past Norwich without reply. And it was another left -back that gets the plaudits this week. Daniels set up the first goal with a delightful cross and scored the second from the penalty spot.
Ashley Williams
Boots: Nike Magista Opus
Swansea City were able to stop the rot last night against Watford and climb out of the relegation zone, scoring their second win in their 12 Premier League matches. Williams was the star of the show for the Swans after winning the ball in the box and playing it wide, only to convert the subsequent cross from Ki for the game’s only goal. Williams was outstanding throughout defensively and played through despite seemingly picking up an injury on the stroke of half-time.
James Ward-Prowse
Boots: Adidas X 15 Leather
The Southampton man doubled his professional goals tally this weekend, his first coming from a magnificent free-kick that nestled into the top left-hand corner of West Brom keeper Boaz Myhill’s net. Ward-Prowse has perhaps not progressed as quickly as some Saints fans would have liked, however his performance on Saturday was second to none, and he proved deadly over a dead ball for second time to convert a penalty after Matt Targett was judged to have been impeded inside the box.
Christian Eriksen
Boots: Nike Magista Opus
Tottenham were back on form this weekend after the midweek blip against Leicester, and Eriksen was first on the scoresheet for Spurs, with his equaliser after 42 minutes. It was his first goal from open play for almost a year and he duly added a second – albeit with an air of good fortune, as the ball deflected off Sunderland’s Jan Kirchhoff.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Boots: Adidas X 15 Leather
Newcastle boosted their survival hopes after Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Ham, and Wijnaldum played a key part in both the Magpies’ goals, setting up the first one with a nice little lay off and scoring the second from close range, taking his tally to nine goals for the season.
David Silva
Boots: Adidas X 15 Primeknit
The Spaniard was easily the best player on the pitch in Manchester City’s romping of Crystal Palace at the weekend. Silva grabbed an assist for City’s opener and was involved in an excellent team goal finished by Sergio Aguero for the third, before bagging the fourth himself with a very cool finish.
Sergio Aguero
Boots: Puma evoSPEED SL
If Silva hadn’t have got man of the match for City, Aguero certainly would have. The Argentina striker scored his 12th goal of the campaign with a long-range effort, before finishing the goal of the afternoon after mouthwatering build up play across Palace’s box. Aguero’s pace was unfathomable as he set up the fourth goal for Silva, as the two exchanged passes selflessly, bringing woe to a Crystal Palace side that are now winless from their last five games.
Wayne Rooney
Boots: Nike Hypervenom Phinish
The England captain is back with a vengeance it seems. The 30-year-old volleyed in Manchester United’s winner against Liverpool and has now scored more goals for one Premier League club than anyone else – 176. It was also his fifth goal in four games, statistics that might just save Louis van Gaal his job.
