Premier League group of the week together with 4 Tottenham stars and inspirational return

It was one other entertaining weekend within the Premier League, as Manchester City prolonged their lead on the prime of the desk to 6 factors with a 1-0 away win in opposition to Everton.

Liverpool and Chelsea – in addition to Arsenal and Leicester – weren’t in motion because of the EFL Cup last, permitting Pep Guardiola’s champions to take benefit.

Elsewhere, Manchester United did not beat Watford at Outdated Trafford in a goalless draw and Burnley took one other step in direction of security with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.

Newcastle’s relegation fears have been eased with a 2-0 win at Brentford – their fourth win in 5 Premier League video games – and Tottenham hammered Leeds 4-0 at Elland Highway.

Right here, Mirror Soccer takes a have a look at the very best gamers on present this weekend.

Who ought to’ve been included in our Staff of the Week? Let us know in the comments below!

Ben Foster

Saturday was day to be a Watford fan, as Roy Hodgson’s aspect stored Cristiano Ronaldo and his battling colleagues at bay.

Goalkeeper Foster made three vital saves to thwart his former membership and provides the Hornets a priceless level. His defence additionally deserves numerous respect for his or her efforts.

United, in the meantime, stay in fourth – two factors forward of West Ham in fifth.

Extra worryingly, although, Arsenal are simply two factors behind in sixth with three video games in hand. The Gunners will certainly be feeling assured about their prime 4 possibilities.

“It’s not fairly often you come to Outdated Trafford and get to maintain a clear sheet so we could be proud of ourselves at this time,” mentioned Foster at full-time.

Matty Money

Aston Villa bought again to profitable methods on Saturday afternoon, beating Brighton 2-0 on the Amex due to targets from Money and Ollie Watkins.

Money’s purpose was one of many moments of the weekend. The Poland worldwide hit pretty strike from the sting of the world earlier than unveiling an vital message.

“Tomasz Kedziora and household, keep sturdy my bro,” it learn, directed at his worldwide team-mate Kedziora, who performs for Dynamo Kyiv and is within the war-torn metropolis.

Money was controversially booked for displaying the message, although the Premier League reposted it on social media in a present of help for Ukraine.

The end result noticed Villa transfer 9 factors away from the relegation zone, whereas it is now three consecutive defeats for Brighton.

Cristian Romero

The 23-year-old put in one other stable show for Tottenham on Saturday, though the attackers took the headlines within the 4-0 triumph.

Spurs seem to have gotten a critical defender on their arms in Romero, which is not at all times the case in the case of the underachieving north London membership.

“Romero is ideal for the Premier League,” Antonio Conte lately mentioned. “He’s sturdy bodily, he has the timing to anticipate and good persona to play with the ball.

“Regardless of being a younger participant, he has good expertise, he’s sturdy. I like him. For certain, he has numerous house for enchancment.”

Fabian Schar

Romero’s defensive companion this week is Schar, who was glorious in Newcastle’s priceless win in opposition to Brentford on Saturday.

The Toon have improved considerably since he returned to the group underneath Eddie Howe, not shedding any of their final seven Premier League video games.

Actually, Newcastle’s final defeat was a 4-0 hammering by Man Metropolis in December. Schar was on the bench for that fixture.

After struggling underneath Steve Bruce earlier within the marketing campaign, Newcastle are trying like a pressure once more they usually’re extra more likely to end within the prime 10 than undergo relegation at this price.

Everybody has been speaking about who the mega-rich membership will signal subsequent season, however what about protecting the likes of Schar on board?

He is out of contract on the finish of the season and rumours counsel Napoli have an interest.

Newcastle followers are eager to get recent expertise by way of the door in the summertime, but it is simply as vital they maintain their greatest gamers. And Schar actually falls underneath that class.

Kyle Walker-Peters

Walker-Peters has gone underneath the radar this season, however he deserves numerous credit score for fixing Southampton’s left-back conundrum.

Ryan Bertrand – the Saints’ long-term left-back – joined Leicester on a free switch final summer season and supervisor Ralph Hasenhuttl was left questioning who might fill the void.

However Walker-Peters – a right-back by commerce – has slotted properly into the function, with 19-year-old Tino Livramento taking his common place.

The 24-year-old delivered one other high quality show on Friday, serving to Southampton beat Norwich 2-0 at St Mary’s to maneuver as much as ninth and European competition.

With each Walker-Peters and Livramento impressing proper now, the Saints will do nicely to maintain them each on their books in the summertime.

Christian Eriksen

Saturday will dwell lengthy within the reminiscence for Eriksen, as he made his first skilled look since struggling a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

When the father-of-two collapsed in Copenhagen, many questioned whether or not he would survive – not to mention play soccer once more.

Eriksen’s restoration has been exceptional and inspirational, to say the least. Brentford might have misplaced the sport, however somethings are simply extra vital than soccer.

“In case you take away the end result, I am one glad man,” mentioned the Denmark worldwide.

“To undergo what I have been by way of, being again is an excellent feeling… It has been very particular since day one. [Brentford] have taken excellent care of me.

“Everybody’s been actually glad about it and everybody’s been actually useful.

“Everyone seems to be right here. My household, my dad and mom, my children, my mother-in-law and a few medical doctors who’ve been serving to me backwards and forwards.

“What they have been by way of is even harder than what I have been by way of.”

Tomas Soucek

Declan Rice will really feel unlucky to not be included, as Soucek simply will get the nod over his West Ham colleague.

The midfielder scored the one purpose of the sport on his twenty seventh birthday, because the Hammers defeated top-four rivals Wolves 1-0 on the London Stadium on Sunday.

The end result leaves Wolves seven factors off fourth. They have been in touching distance of the Champions League earlier than these final two video games in opposition to Arsenal and West Ham.

“This purpose is perhaps the very best reward for what I might do for the followers and everybody,” mentioned Soucek after the sport.

“Additionally for my grandfather, who got here right here for the primary time. He has supported me since my childhood, so this purpose is for him. He’s 80 in per week, too!”

Joelinton

Anybody who’s ever watched Joelinton one-on-one with a goalkeeper will inform you he isn’t a striker, so it is good to see him lastly flourishing as a box-to-box midfielder.

He is now trying like the person who price £40million in the summertime of 2019, giving Newcastle some much-needed vitality in midfield and having a better affect on the sport.

And he took his purpose nicely on Saturday. The Brazilian rose above the Brentford defence to nod house and set the Toon on their method to three priceless factors.

A 12 months in the past, many would’ve mentioned Joelinton would not be a part of Newcastle’s cash-laden future. Now, nevertheless, he seems to be set to be a pivotal a part of their midfield for years to come back.

Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham’s January window was underwhelming – lacking out on Liverpool beginner Luis Diaz – however they appeared to have discovered a gem in Kulusevski.

The Swede is forming a prolific alliance alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, scoring a beautiful purpose in opposition to Leeds on Saturday.

Kulusevski was compelled into the nook of the pitch, however managed to wriggle his manner out of his tight place and beat Illan Meslier at his close to submit.

It was a second that not solely demonstrated his tempo and power, but additionally his technical potential. And it is laborious to cease gamers who’ve bought these three traits.

The excellent news is Spurs have gotten him on an 18-month mortgage deal, with an possibility to purchase the expertise completely. He could be the person to kick-start Conte’s tenure on the membership.

Harry Kane

It is nice to see this man again to his greatest. Kane is on fire once more, producing an excellent end for Tottenham’s third purpose to safe the factors at Elland Highway.

And his help for Son’s purpose was even higher. The England captain observed his colleague’s run from the half-way line and performed an ideal supply into his path.

Kane now has eight Premier League targets this season and, though he will not win the Golden Boot, is more likely to nonetheless end with an honest tally.

Wherever close to the 15-goal mark would put him within the store window once more and, you by no means identified, he might get that dream transfer to Man Metropolis in spite of everything.

Son Heung-min

Kane’s help might have been pleasant, nevertheless it takes two to tango. Son managed the ball completely and waited for Meslier to commit himself earlier than slotting it house.

Kane and Son now boast probably the most prolific partnership in Premier League historical past, combining to search out the again of the web 37 occasions within the competitors.

Saturday’s end result leaves Spurs seventh within the desk, 5 factors behind United with two video games in hand. Arsenal’s place is probably the most important concern.

If they’ll sneak into fourth, they are going to want Son, Kane and Kulusevski to ship between now and the tip of the time period.

It appears unlikely they’re going to qualify for the Champions League, however at the least Conte will really feel as if he is bought an opportunity of ending the season strongly.

“We’ve a improbable supervisor,” insists Son. “He brings ardour, he brings a lot constructive vitality. We’re all glad to work with him.

“I feel it’s so, so vital we maintain this. That’s why he’s particular. He’s so passionate. He desires to win, he desires clear sheets, he desires us to be higher.

“This I feel is such a constructive sign. We must always take this as enchancment and we needs to be additionally that passionate for the video games coming.”

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