Premier League Team of the Week: October 19-21

Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all have two representatives in the Team of the Week. Bet on the Premier League here.

Ederson (Manchester City)

The champions returned to winning ways against Crystal Palace, in part thanks to a timely clean sheet from their Brazilian goalkeeper. Ederson’s save to deny Christian Benteke a rare goal ensured that City preserved their two-goal lead and avoided any late drama.

Chris Basham (Sheffield United)

Having been unfortunate to lose to Liverpool in their last home games, Sheffield United surged up the table with a win over a lacklustre Arsenal side. Basham was typically resolute in defence, winning four tackles and making four clearances. No side has conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season than the Blades.

Christian Kabasele (Watford)

Watford can count themselves unfortunate not to have a first league win of the season as Tottenham snatched a draw late on in their derby match. Until Dele Alli intervened the Hornets had looked comfortable in defence, with Kabasele making 15 clearances and five tackles (both match highs).

Rodri (Manchester City)

Why play one midfielder in central defence when you can have two? Summer signing Rodri joined Fernandinho at the back for City’s game at Selhurst Park and did not look out of place. He won all of his six aerial duels and completed 99 passes – in comparison, Palace’s midfield and attack completed 95 between them!

Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

Alonso is back in the Chelsea line-up and is once again amongst the goals as the Blues extended their winning run. Visitors Newcastle came with a predictable game plan to soak up the hosts’ pressure before countering at pace, and the plan would have worked had it not been for the Spaniard’s goal 17 minutes from time.

Andreas Pereira (Manchester United)

Liverpool’s winning streak came to an end at Old Trafford, where a resilient United side earned a point that will surely boost their confidence. Pereira won both of his attempted tackles and made three interceptions as the visitors were prevented from passing the ball with their usual confidence.

Andre Gomes (Everton)

Victory over West Ham saw Everton climb out of the relegation zone and eased the pressure on Marco Silva. Gomes has only played six minutes in the Toffees’ last four matches (all defeats), but a return to the starting line-up saw his side comfortably see off the Irons. Only three players had more touches of the ball than the Portuguese.

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)

A goal and an assist at crucial moments in Villa’s game with Brighton means that the Villans captain is in our team. His equaliser moments before the half-time whistle gave his side a foundation to build on in the second half, before he teed up Matt Targett for a winner with seconds remaining. Only four other teams have scored more Premier League goals than Villa this season.

Theo Walcott (Everton)

Walcott gave a strong claim for a place in the Everton team with an eye-catching performance against West Ham. He set up Bernard to open the scoring early on, before seeing a long-distance strike crash against the cross bar.

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Having seen his recent performances come under scrutiny, Rashford gave a tireless display in United’s draw with Liverpool. An early tussle with Virgil Van Dijk, in which the England forward emerged the winner, set the tone and not long after he opened the scoring from close range. His rich vein of scoring form against England’s biggest teams continues, and it will be interesting to see how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer accommodates him now that Anthony Martial is fit again.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)

Given the success that Chelsea’s other academy products have had this season, it’s no surprise to see Hudson-Odoi return to the team and flourish. Saturday saw him register an assist for the third league game in a row as the Blues returned to the top four.