SoccerMag’s Premier League team of the week

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Matchday 26 saw a historic Liverpool victory over Manchester United and a 97th minute Arsenal winner. Take a look at SoccerMag’s best 11 performers from the weekend.

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

Goalkeeper – Jose Sa (Wolves) 

Jose Sa kept Wolves’ seventh clean sheet of the season as they managed a shock 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspurs. Sa was arguably man of the match, making some important saves with Spurs never truly threatening the Wolves keeper.

Defenders 

Andy Robertson (Liverpool)

Andy Robertson was immense in Liverpool’s 7-0 victory over Manchester United. The Scot played an incredible defence splitting pass to set up Cody Gakpo and Liverpool’s first. Robertson had little to do defensively, with his opposite number Anthony providing little threat down United’s right flank.

Wesley Fofana (Chelsea) 

Wesley Fofana returned from injury to replace Thiago Silva in the starting XI. Fofana managed to end Chelsea’s goal scoring drought while also keeping a clean sheet. Graham Potter will still be feeling the pressure, but Fofana’s performance will hopefully be a catalyst for a late season resurgence.

Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton)

Armel Bella-Kotchap had a solid performance in Southampton’s much needed win over Leicester City.  The German defender won all of his ground duels, made three clearances and recovered the ball on nine occasions. The clean sheet and three points take the Saints up to 19th above Bournemouth.

Matty Cash (Aston Villa)

Matty Cash had an impressive performance down Villa’s right hand side as they defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 at home. Cash’s run down the Palace left flank resulted in the deciding goal, with the Polish international’s whipped cross deflecting into the goal off Palace defender Joachim Andersen.

Midfielders

Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) 

Martin Odegaard dominated the midfield once again as Arsenal came back from two goals behind, for the second time in a month, to beat Bournemouth 3-2. Odegaard was unrelenting on attack, constantly putting pressure on Bournemouth’s defence by whipping in dangerous crosses or taking shots when in space.

Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton) 

Alexis Mac Allister was a standout performer as Brighton continue to impress the rest of the Premier League. Mac Allister scored the first, calmly converting a penalty and assisted Joel Veltman for the second. After destroying West Ham United 4-0, Brighton will need Mac Allister to continue this run of form as they aim for a European place.

Phil Foden (Manchester City) 

This is Phil Foden’s second appearance in our team of the week in a row, with the attacking midfielder once again making the difference for Manchester City. Foden scored an exceptional opening goal after a great run from Erling Haaland opened up the space for the Englishman. City comfortably defeated Newcastle United 2-0, keeping within touching distance of Arsenal.

Forwards

Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forrest) 

Brennan Johnson scored a crucial brace for Nottingham Forrest this weekend as they came back from behind twice to secure a draw against Everton. Johnson has finally settled in the Premier League after a superb season in the Championship last year, and will now look to push on as Forrest fight to stay in England’s top division.

Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)

Cody Gakpo silenced his haters after a spectacular brace against Liverpool’s biggest rivals Manchester United. The Dutchman showed great composure in both his finishes, especially with his second, picking up a Mohamed Salah pass to chip United Keeper David De Gea. Liverpool’s front three of Gakpo, Salah and Nunez look determined to fight for top four until the end of the season.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah once again proved he is one of the best players in the Premier League, scoring two goals and providing two assists as Liverpool embarrassed Manchester United 7-0. Salah broke Lisandro Martinez’ ankles when setting up Liverpool’s third and Cody Gakpo’s second. The Egyptian is now Liverpool’s all time leading scorer in the Premier League, overtaking the legendary Robbie Fowler with 129 Premier League goals.

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Dylan Johnson