90min

Premier League team of the week - round 17

By Jamie Spencer

Phil Foden made the most of a rare Premier League start
Phil Foden made the most of a rare Premier League start / Visionhaus/Getty Images
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The Premier League kicked off a new calendar year over the long weekend with another fixture programme full of action and excitement.

Manchester United moved level on points with leaders Liverpool, while Manchester City put in a statement performance against a poor Chelsea and Arsenal continued their winning run.

Here's a look at the first 90min Premier League Team of the Week in 2021.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Walker-Peters coped impressively well against Sadio Mane, outshining the struggling Trent Alexander-Arnold
Walker-Peters coped impressively well against Sadio Mane, outshining the struggling Trent Alexander-Arnold / Michael Steele/Getty Images

David de Gea (GK) – Didn’t keep a clean sheet in Manchester United’s win over Aston Villa, but De Gea was looking more like his old self and made a few important saves.

Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) – Suppressed the threat of Sadio Mane admirably and was more than a match for Andrew Robertson in terms of both going forwards and back.

Eric Bailly (CB) – Could be the solution to Manchester United’s defensive issues if he can stay fit. Brings pace to the defence and made a particularly crucial late block to preserve his team’s lead.

Jack Stephens (CB) – Repelled everything Liverpool had to throw at Southampton on Monday night and put in a few vital blocks to keep the Saints in the lead.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – Even discounting his excellent goal in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over West Brom, Tierney put in a fine performance in general as he firmly finds his feet in England.

2. Midfielders

Soucek is used to eating potato salad over Christmas and New Year, not scoring goals
Soucek is used to eating potato salad over Christmas and New Year, not scoring goals / PETER BYRNE/Getty Images

James Ward-Prowse (CM) – Created Southampton’s early goal and winner for Danny Ings and brought impressive leadership in midfield with Liverpool dominant in possession.

Tomas Soucek (CM) – Fast becoming a go-to game-changer for David Moyes and West Ham, not dissimilar to the presence the Scottish manager once had with Marouane Fellaini at Everton.

Kevin De Bruyne (AM) – Actually operated further forward than usual as a ‘false nine’ and was at the centre of everything good in Manchester City’s demolition of former club Chelsea.

3. Forwards

Alexandre Lacazette kept up his scoring run
Alexandre Lacazette kept up his scoring run / Michael Regan/Getty Images

Son Heung-min (RW) – Back on the score-sheet to help Tottenham get a first win since early December, while also laying on an assist in the 3-0 victory over Leeds.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – Outshone the struggling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with another two goals to now make it four in his last three Premier League appearances.

Phil Foden (LW) – Brought back in for only his second Premier League start since October and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Chelsea couldn’t live with him or his movement.

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