Our Premier League Team of the Week from the weekend’s action, featuring an evergreen Foxes forward and a trio of Chelsea stars.
Goalkeeper: Matz Sels – Nottingham Forest
An excellent season continued for Matz Sels at Old Trafford this weekend. The Belgian helped Forest to a first win at Manchester United in 30 years, with five saves, two high claims, and a calming presence when Nuno Espirito Santo’s side came under pressure late on.
Right-back: Kenny Tete – Fulham
A real unsung hero in Marco Silva’s side. Kenny Tete had a fine afternoon’s work against Arsenal as the Dutch defender locked down the threat of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli – and made his mark at the opposite end. An incisive pass freed Raul Jimenez for the Fulham goal, to continue a strong start to the season for Tete. No Premier League player has made more interceptions (28).
Centre-back: Maxence Lacroix – Crystal Palace
The Frenchman has been a terrific signing and buoyed by back-to-back Palace Player of the Month accolades shone again this weekend. Against Manchester City, he made several vital interceptions alongside Marc Guehi, racked up nine clearances and won 100% of his ground duels (3/3). His first goal in the Premier League goal also arrived with a thumping header as Palace earned a point against the champions.
MaxAir 🛫✨#CPFC // #CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/NwZth20NvK
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 7, 2024
Centre-back: Illia Zabarnyi – Bournemouth
Bournemouth joined in the late drama on Sunday, as the Cherries left it late to beat Ipswich. Illia Zabarnyi was pivotal to his side’s defensive display as he made six clearances, blocked four shots and won six tackles, in addition to winning a mammoth 14/16 defensive duels at Portman Road. In the 22-year-old and Dean Huijsen, Bournemouth have two central defenders of immense potential.
Left-back: Murillo – Nottingham Forest
Admittedly out of position in our Team of the Week but regardless someone, quite soon, is going to send a substantial offer in Nottingham Forest’s direction for Murillo. The Brazilian was excellent again in the 3-2 win at Manchester United, showing calm when under pressure and superb distribution from the back. He created a chance for Jota with a free-kick and came close to scoring himself at Old Trafford. The 22-year-old is brimming with promise.
🇧🇷 Murillo (Nottingham Forest, 22)
📊 vs Top 5 League U22 Centre-backs
◎ Blocked shots – 1st
◎ Deep completions – 1st
◎ Interceptions – 2nd
◎ Long passes – 2nd
◎ Through passes – 2nd
◎ Passes to penalty area – 2nd
◎ Dribbles – 2nd
◎ Defensive actions – 4th
◎ Tackles -… pic.twitter.com/ouSYwBGIj3
— DataMB (@DataMB_) December 7, 2024
Midfield: Will Hughes – Crystal Palace
An outstanding performance against top-level opposition. Will Hughes notched two assists as Crystal Palace held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. His first was delightful, as the midfielder carved open a Citizens back four that was all at sea. After being denied a goal of his own by a Ruben Dias block, he whipped in a perfect delivery for Maxence Lacroix to head home.
We 🫶 Will Hughes.#CPFC // #CRYMCI pic.twitter.com/zOYKs9FYBb
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 7, 2024
Midfield: Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea
Has Enzo Fernandez really arrived at Chelsea? It’s taken some time but the Argentina international is beginning to look like the player who commanded a record fee upon his arrival. His last six appearances in all competitions have delivered three goals and six assists, including a crisply-hit effort in Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 win at Tottenham. His goal aside, Fernandez made Chelsea tick with a 96% pass completion. A statement showing.
Midfield: Cole Palmer – Chelsea
There’s cool. There’s cold. And there’s Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s nerveless magician was at it again to inspire a comeback win at Spurs, converting two penalties with supreme confidence and sprinkling his stardust on the game. After a slow start, he grew into the game, creating four chances for the visitors in an epic encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. No Chelsea player, ever, has provided more Premier League goals and assists in a calendar year. Given the names that have represented the Blues, that’s some statistic. What a year it’s been for the 22-year-old.
Cole Palmer breaks Chelsea’s record for most Premier League goal involvements in a calendar year with 37.
Incredible 🥶 pic.twitter.com/q5cNhF8M5v
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 8, 2024
Right-wing: Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford
Brentford’s deadly double-act helped the Bees beat Newcastle this weekend, as the West Londoners edged a six-goal thriller at the Gtech. Mbeumo ended a run of five games without a goal with a beauty to open the scoring, curled into the top corner from the edge of the area. He later teed up Kevin Schade and came close to a second after robbing Nick Pope of possession. Only a desperate Dan Burn lunge denied Mbeumo, who was back to his best this weekend.
Left-wing: Jadon Sancho – Chelsea
Is this the same player who struggled so badly at Manchester United? Sancho’s stunning goal gave Chelsea a lifeline at Spurs as the Blues came from two goals down to win in North London. It was an effort reminiscent of his Dortmund days, as Sancho weaved through traffic before finishing emphatically into the far corner. Sancho now has eight goal involvements in 11 appearances for Chelsea – a strong start to his career with the club.
Forward: Jamie Vardy – Leicester City
There’s life in the old dog fox yet. The 37-year-old led an improbable comeback for Leicester against Brighton as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side scored two late goals to snatch a point.
Vardy steered in his sixth goal of the campaign from Bobby Decordova-Reid’s floated pass, before unselfishly returning the favour in stoppage time to square for his teammate to slam home an equaliser. It’s now 141 top-flight goals for Vardy, with Robin van Persie and Teddy Sheringham next in his sights as he continues to climb.
Leicester City were 2-0 down against Brighton until Jamie Vardy scored an 86th-minute goal and provided a 91st-minute assist.
Talisman ✨ pic.twitter.com/SmauHuYsHj
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 8, 2024
Read – Tweets of the Week: Dead manager bounce, Merseyside Derby off, Arsenal corners
See more – The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 8th
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