SASoccerMag’s Premier League team of the weekend

Published on

Matchday 24 was another weekend to remember with Manchester City dropping points and Arsenal managing to regain their lead at the top of the table. Take a look at SASoccerMag’s best 11 performers from the weekend.

We used buildlineup.com to put our team onto paper, but our selections are explained below.

Goalkeeper – Bernd Leno (Fulham)
Fulham took on Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend with the Seagulls the favourites going into the match. Bernd Leno was unbeatable in Fulham’s victory, pulling off seven saves and keeping a clean sheet.

Defenders

Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Seamus Coleman was moved from his usual fullback position to the center of Everton’s defence this weekend with Sean Dyche looking to try something new against Leeds United.  Coleman scored the winner while also keeping a clean sheet, lifting Everton out of the relegation zone.

Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
Liverpool faced one of their biggest challenges this season when they clashed with Newcastle at St James’ Park this weekend. Van Dijk made his first appearance after six weeks returning from injury, but looked back to his best again. The Dutch defender’s distribution was crucial to Liverpool’s attack while also managing to keep their first away clean sheet since April 2022.

Felipe (Nottingham Forrest)
Nottingham Forrest caused the biggest upset of the weekend when they managed to hold Manchester City to a 1-1 draw. Felipe was crucial in Forrest’s defence, making ten clearances and stopping an Erling Haaland tap-in with an interception.

Emerson Royal (Tottenham Hotspur)
Emerson Royal has been a divisive figure since joining Spurs, and has been under pressure since the signing of Pedro Porro. The Brazilian had arguably his best performance for Tottenham, managing a goal and a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over West Ham United.

Midfielders 

Jorginho (Arsenal)
Jorginho was immense in Arsenal’s incredible 4-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa. The Gunners came back from behind twice, with Jorginho’s outside the box effort resulting in the third goal, completing the comeback. The Italian set the midfield tempo and controlled the game.

James Ward-Prowse  (Southampton)
James Ward-Prowse scored the decisive goal in Southampton’s victory against Chelsea. An incredible freekick that gave Kepa Arrizabalaga very little chance, Ward-Prowse gave a true captain’s performance helping Southampton keep their first clean sheet in almost 20 games.

Bruno Fernandez (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandez’s form is once again on the rise, with the Manchester United midfielder providing assists to both Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, as they comfortably beat Leicester City 3-0.  Fernandez created nine chances against Leicester, a sign the Portuguese is once again hitting his peak form.

Forwards 

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal came back from behind twice to beat Aston Villa this weekend, largely due to the contributions of star boy Bukayo Saka. Saka’s attitude on the pitch is immense, never giving up and chasing every opportunity. He scored an equaliser but was also a constant threat to the Villa defence.

Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Liverpool made a statement this weekend after beating Newcastle United 2-0. Darwin Nunez scored the opener, controlling an over the top through ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Nunez was substituted due to a shoulder injury, but was causing chaos for Newcastle’s defence with his runs in behind and link-up with Mohammed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford cannot stay out of the action, scoring another goal for Manchester United against Leicester City. Rashford now has 14 goals and 3 assists so far this season, and does not look like stopping anytime soon.

What do you think of our choices for Premier League team of the weekend? Let us know who we left out.

Post by

Dylan Johnson