Lloris may have conceded two at the weekend but he stopped that game from becoming a massacre for Tottenham, he was easily their best player on the pitch, which explained how poorly the team played. I understand a player was sent off against the hammers but still, you would expect a team with players like Tottenham to still hold some of their own. Instead they relied heavily on their keeper to actually keep them in the game and the goals he conceded he didn't really have any chance keeping out of the net, the own goal was unfortunate and the free kick was awesome, but Lloris should be proud of his performance. Especially if he is looking for a summer move this year, that performance will have boosted his chances for that.
Right back - Bacary Sagna
How many full backs can you look at in this country and feel completely and utterly safe with in your defence? There isn't many, but Bacary Sagna is definitely one of those dependable defenders. What makes me pull my hair out though is that Arsenal haven't given him a new contract yet, with a player of his ability they should be more negotiable no matter what. Yeah he is 31 but still the man can carry your defence whenever he is on form and against West Brom he was on the best form of his season. He rarely wastes possession and he managed to look like he was playing against a Sunday league team this weekend. Wenger needs to delve deep into that pocket otherwise he is going to be left wanting at the back next season.
Centre back - John O'Shea
John O'shea returned to Old Trafford with a monkey on his back after previous lack lustre performances against the red Devils. This game he managed to get that monkey to leave him alone, he was an absolute rock in Sunderland's less than convincing defence and made Manchester United take half chances, whilst they could have gotten back into the game, the chances they took were never convincing enough to look like a wasted opportunity, John O'Shea made that happen and on that form walks into my team of the week.
Centre back - Michael Turner
A man of the match performance the the centre back means he gets a place in my list. He was great against Chelsea, potentially ending any chance they had of winning the title now. Turner will have every reason to be proud of his game, going to Stamford Bridge he bossed the Norwich backline and was more vocal than his keeper, which is insanity for me to see that a Keeper like Ruddy isn't bossing about his defence. If they can defend like this until the end of season then they might be able to keep their Premier league experience alive.
Left back - Luke Shaw
So Luke Shaw gets back into my side for a second weekend in a row. I was thinking of putting either Whittaker or Pieters into this position for this weekend, but then during my stat hunt I found out that Luke Shaw had another awesome weekend for the saints, he was great getting forward and trying to make an attack against the Swans but was even better at getting back. Previously I feared that he was lacking on the defensive side but was great getting forward and was similar to that of Leighton Baines, showing the England future of left backs would be an attacking one, however over the past few weeks Shaw has showed his defensive capabilities are just as good as most Left backs years in front of him, but Cole could definitely help him improve in Brazil, if they are both on the plane.
Centre mid - Sebastian Larsson
Sebastian Larsson was actually great against Manchester United, he put in a strong shift against the deflated champions, starting the play which created his goal and managed to help Sunderland in the midfield, creating most of their attack. In a game which needed every one of the black cats' players to give 110% for the whole 90 minutes and Larsson was the model player for that game. I have accused him of being a lazy player who lacks passion for Sunderland but it looks like when it mattered he really cared in helping his team stay up, and also the goal was superbly taken by the Swede, who is fighting to not only keep his place in the Sunderland squad but needs to prove his point to the Sweden coach too.
Centre mid - Ross Barkley
That goal was not the only reason he is in my team of the week, but it was a big point to help me place him in the 11 this week. I felt that Robert Martinez making him one of Everton's key players this season was a piece of managerial genius, he has become one of the best young talents in this country this season and people wouldn't even bat an eyelid about him last season when he was struggling to even pass the ball correctly. He managed to beat nine players against City and his goal was one of the best I have seen this season from any player, having him in any side is good to have.
Centre mid - Stephen Ireland
Stephen Ireland has been the new image of a more attacking free flowing Stoke and his performance against Fulham was fantastic. His passing was something that we haven't even seen from Ozil this year, it was pinpoint when it needed to be and the through balls were put into the best positions, but he was also great at stopping the little attempts Fulham had at getting into Stokes half. I really like Ireland as a player and he necessarily hasn't been given the chances he deserved ever since he left Manchester City but under Mark Hughes he has been a new Player and next season if he can carry on this form and what is most likely going to be a stronger Stoke side then he could end up being in this section a lot more.
Centre mid - Sebastian Larsson
Sebastian Larsson was actually great against Manchester United, he put in a strong shift against the deflated champions, starting the play which created his goal and managed to help Sunderland in the midfield, creating most of their attack. In a game which needed every one of the black cats' players to give 110% for the whole 90 minutes and Larsson was the model player for that game. I have accused him of being a lazy player who lacks passion for Sunderland but it looks like when it mattered he really cared in helping his team stay up, and also the goal was superbly taken by the Swede, who is fighting to not only keep his place in the Sunderland squad but needs to prove his point to the Sweden coach too.
Centre mid - Ross Barkley
That goal was not the only reason he is in my team of the week, but it was a big point to help me place him in the 11 this week. I felt that Robert Martinez making him one of Everton's key players this season was a piece of managerial genius, he has become one of the best young talents in this country this season and people wouldn't even bat an eyelid about him last season when he was struggling to even pass the ball correctly. He managed to beat nine players against City and his goal was one of the best I have seen this season from any player, having him in any side is good to have.
Centre mid - Stephen Ireland
Stephen Ireland has been the new image of a more attacking free flowing Stoke and his performance against Fulham was fantastic. His passing was something that we haven't even seen from Ozil this year, it was pinpoint when it needed to be and the through balls were put into the best positions, but he was also great at stopping the little attempts Fulham had at getting into Stokes half. I really like Ireland as a player and he necessarily hasn't been given the chances he deserved ever since he left Manchester City but under Mark Hughes he has been a new Player and next season if he can carry on this form and what is most likely going to be a stronger Stoke side then he could end up being in this section a lot more.
Right Wing - Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic is a moody, risky and crazy footballer. Spending any some of money on him would be a huge risk and Stoke managed to get him so easily due to him falling out with pretty much everyone at Werder Bremen, but you know what he isn't? A bad footballer. He was their best player on the pitch this weekend and probably was the main reason Stoke scored their first 3 goals. Having a hand in the opener, an assist on the assist mainly, then set up Assaidi's goal and smashing one in himself, he was amazing against relegated Fulham and appears to have finally find his form in the Premier league.
Left Wing - Oussama Assaidi
Assaidi played so well against Fulham, he dropped off the radar a bit since his scintillating form at the start of the season, but against Fulham he looks like he is getting back into it. His goal showed great partnership with Arnautovic, and the fact that all three of the faces that represent new Stoke got into my side is showing how convincing Mark Hughes' tactics are becoming. Assaidi was on fire and whilst his goal scoring threat didn't look to great, but his all around playmaking was fantastic and played a hand in the first and last goals.
Striker - Dwight Gayle
Only picking him because he managed to beat Liverpool with those two great goals... Well no that is a lie but it does also make me happier to pick him in the line up, but his performance was great, this position was so hard for me to pick. Initially I was between Dzeko, Weimann, Giroud, Gayle and Caroll, but took Caroll and Giroud out due to the lack of goals from one and the lack of all around play from the other. Then I lost interest in Dzeko because of his lack of ability this weekend to make his own goals relying on passes from his playmakers. Then it was between Weimann and Gayle, I liked Weimann against Hull and feel that he played really well but necessarily I looked at who they were playing at the end of the day and Hull do not compare to Liverpool at this stage of the season. Gayle scored two great goals against the champions elect and probably ruined Liverpool's chance of winning a title this season and this showed how far this kid can go if he keeps playing.
Captain -This week I am picking my captain, Bacary Sagna, was strong under pressure. Not just for himself but also for his defensive line and kept the other members from slipping up especially against a West Brom side which was desperate for points.
Manager of the Week - Sam Allardyce
Sorted out his squad so that they could take advantage of the sending off and they were convincing against Tottenham, they didn't have any real stand out players but managed to band together and get another Derby win for the third time this season.
Marko Arnautovic is a moody, risky and crazy footballer. Spending any some of money on him would be a huge risk and Stoke managed to get him so easily due to him falling out with pretty much everyone at Werder Bremen, but you know what he isn't? A bad footballer. He was their best player on the pitch this weekend and probably was the main reason Stoke scored their first 3 goals. Having a hand in the opener, an assist on the assist mainly, then set up Assaidi's goal and smashing one in himself, he was amazing against relegated Fulham and appears to have finally find his form in the Premier league.
Left Wing - Oussama Assaidi
Assaidi played so well against Fulham, he dropped off the radar a bit since his scintillating form at the start of the season, but against Fulham he looks like he is getting back into it. His goal showed great partnership with Arnautovic, and the fact that all three of the faces that represent new Stoke got into my side is showing how convincing Mark Hughes' tactics are becoming. Assaidi was on fire and whilst his goal scoring threat didn't look to great, but his all around playmaking was fantastic and played a hand in the first and last goals.
Striker - Dwight Gayle
Only picking him because he managed to beat Liverpool with those two great goals... Well no that is a lie but it does also make me happier to pick him in the line up, but his performance was great, this position was so hard for me to pick. Initially I was between Dzeko, Weimann, Giroud, Gayle and Caroll, but took Caroll and Giroud out due to the lack of goals from one and the lack of all around play from the other. Then I lost interest in Dzeko because of his lack of ability this weekend to make his own goals relying on passes from his playmakers. Then it was between Weimann and Gayle, I liked Weimann against Hull and feel that he played really well but necessarily I looked at who they were playing at the end of the day and Hull do not compare to Liverpool at this stage of the season. Gayle scored two great goals against the champions elect and probably ruined Liverpool's chance of winning a title this season and this showed how far this kid can go if he keeps playing.
Captain -This week I am picking my captain, Bacary Sagna, was strong under pressure. Not just for himself but also for his defensive line and kept the other members from slipping up especially against a West Brom side which was desperate for points.
Manager of the Week - Sam Allardyce
Sorted out his squad so that they could take advantage of the sending off and they were convincing against Tottenham, they didn't have any real stand out players but managed to band together and get another Derby win for the third time this season.
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