Iheanacho, Kane headline Team of the Week

PREMIER LEAGUE Iheanacho, Kane headline Team of the Week

Faruq Ibrahim 12:58 - 06.02.2023

We have picked out a team of the week from the best performers in the last game week.

Round 22 of the Premier League is now complete after serving thrilling matches and astonishing results. 

We witnessed Arsenal lose for only the second time this season, only for Manchester City to fail to capitalise as they unsurprisingly lost at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium again. Wolverhampton trounced Liverpool while Chelsea failed to beat Fulham in the first match of the game week.

The players at the forefront of the dramatic game week have been cut down to 11 that best fit into a 4-4-2 diamond (wide) formation for the Pulse Sports Premier League team of the week.

Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas (Nottingham Forest) v Leeds

Eight different goalkeepers kept clean sheets in the Premier League this past weekend, but none of them did it in the same fashion as the Costa Rican.

Keylor Navas keeps a clean sheet in his first game for Nottingham Forest
Keylor Navas keeps a clean sheet in his first game for Nottingham Forest

Keylor came into the game as a new signing with little to no acclimatisation time, and he put up a match-winning performance for his new employers. Brennan Johnson scored the only goal in Forest’s 1-0 win, but the Tricky Trees would not be celebrating the maximum three points without Navas's heroics.

Right-back: Emerson Royal (Tottenham) v Manchester City

Tottenham have recently signed Pedro Porro for the wing-back position, and the Spaniard would most probably be the starter in the position in the foreseeable future; however, Emerson, with his performance against Manchester City, would have bought himself another starting berth.

Emerson was immense against Manchester City
Emerson was immense against Manchester City

The ex-Barcelona full-back started as a wing-back in the game, and he almost unilaterally shut down the left side of Manchester City’s attack. Emerson was at his defensive best, putting Jack Grealish on lockdown, and the numbers show it too, with his six clearances, two interceptions, and two tackles won.

Everton’s Seamus Coleman missed out slightly, as he was also immense in keeping Gabriel Martinelli at bay against Arsenal.

Centre-back: James Tarkowski (Everton) v Arsenal

Not many teams can say they kept a clean sheet against the league leaders, but James Tarkowski led a defence that shut out the Gunners. The Englishman was at his defensive best, winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels, making five clearances, two interceptions, and one tackle.

James Tarkowski scored the winner for Everton against Arsenal

Tarkowski also performed the most important action in the game, the goal. His header from a Dwight McNeil corner-kick was the only goal in the game, handing Mikel Arteta’s men only their second loss of the Premier League season.

Centre-back: Max Kilman (Wolves) v Liverpool

Wolverhampton was undoubtedly the better team on the day, but Liverpool had good chances to score but for Kilman's heroics.

Kilman made two clearances on the line to prevent Liverpool
Kilman made two clearances on the line to prevent Liverpool

His defensive partner, Craig Dawson, was in among the goals, but the scoreline would have read differently save for Max Kilman’s two on-the-line clearances. The 25-year-old further frustrated the Reds with his five blocks and could have gotten a goal on the other end to punctuate a complete performance.

Left-back: Rico Henry (Brentford) v Southampton

Rico Henry was immense in helping his team cope with the dangers on the right side of Southampton’s attack. The left-back made three clearances, two tackles, and one interception to help his team keep a clean sheet against the Saints.

However, it was on offence that Henry was the most decisive, assisting one of Brentord's treble on the day.

Right midfielder: Bryan Mbuemo (Brentford) v Southampton

Mbuemo is the second Bees player in our 11. The Cameroonian was immense for Brentford in attack, with his goal and assist helping them clinch all three points.

Defensive midfielder: Ruben Neves (Wolves) v Liverpool

Neves was dominant against Liverpool. When he was not breaking up play, he was progressing it or getting in among the goals.

Ruben Neves was colossal for Wolves in their 3-0 demolition of Liverpool

The Portuguese made a match-high seven clearances while winning three tackles and two interceptions. He also sealed the victory for Wolves with a beautiful goal against the run of play that eased the nerves of the home crowd, tensed by Liverpool’s barrage of attacks.

Left Midfielder: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) v Bournemouth

The Japan international came through for Brighton once more with a complete performance offensively and defensively.

Mitoma was very lively all through the game and was clutch once again for the Seagulls, scoring the only goal to clinch all three points.

Attacking midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) v Crystal Palace

Bruno Fernandes was once again guilty of pulling the offensive strings at Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes scores from the penalty spot to put United 1-0 ahead in the first half, at Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes scores from the penalty spot to put United 1-0 ahead in the first half, at Old Trafford

The Portuguese completed a game-high four key passes and scored the go-ahead goal for Manchester United from the penalty spot. Bruno was no slouch defensively either, completing four tackles, three clearances, and one interception.

Centre-forward: Kelechi Iheanacho Aston Villa v (Leicester)

Kelechi Iheanacho was at his brilliant best as he returned to the starting lineup for Leicester. The Nigerian was very lively, as he was directly involved in three of Leicester’s four goals in a 4-2 win.

Iheanacho inspires Leicester to victory against Aston Villa
Iheanacho inspires Leicester to victory against Aston Villa

The Nigerian combined very well with his strike partners, creating two big chances and picking up two assists while also scoring one for himself. 

Centre-forward: Harry Kane (Tottenham) v Manchester City

Harry Kane's lone goal helped him become Tottenham's all-time leading scorer and only the third player in Premier League history to reach 200 goals.

Harry Kane, Tottenham's top scorer of all time

Aside from the goal, Kane had a good game, helping his team progress from their deep-block with his excellent hold-up play. The 29-year-old could have gotten at least one more goal, but it was not to be.

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