FST’s Premier League Team of the Week (game week 2)
Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
The Premier League blew through the weekend with a blizzard of goals, howlers, penalty controversy and red cards between Saturday and Monday, leaving supporters dizzy and disorientated after another frenetic round of top-flight fixtures.
On Saturday, a net-shredding 21 goals were plundered across the day’s four fixtures, where Everton’s 5-2 win against West Brom and Crystal Palace’s superb 3-1 win at Man Utd were the pick of the results.
A day later, Tottenham, Brighton and Liverpool all recorded fine away wins, before Man City did the same on Monday evening with an excellent 3-1 triumph at Wolves.
Let’s take a look at the players that we thought put in the best individual performances in the latest round of fixtures our FST Premier League TOTW selection for game week two:
Check out the latest Premier League predictions, news, match previews, betting tips and special offers here.
FST’s Premier League Team of the Week
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur)
Spurs romped to a 5-2 win at Southampton on Sunday, though somewhat remarkably, Tottenham had less shots overall and less attempts on target than their hosts. Luckily for Spurs, Hugo Lloris was in superb form between the sticks, and the Frenchman made five saves at St. Mary’s Stadium to help keep the Saints at bay.
Defence: Joel Ward (Crystal Palace)
Eagles defender Joel Ward enjoyed a productive evening at Old Trafford in Crystal Palace’s equal parts superb and surprise 3-1 win against Manchester United. Ward didn’t give Marcus Rashford a sniff down his right hand flank and the 30-year-old completed six clearances and four interceptions during a well-rounded defensive display.
Defence: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Filling in at centre-half in a tough test at Chelsea, versatile Brazilian Fabinho barely put a foot wrong for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The 26-year-old made more successful tackles (four) and interceptions (four) than any of his teammates in red during the champion’s comfortable 2-0 win against the 10-man Blues.
Defence: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
Central defender Ezri Konsa was the man of the hour in Villa’s hard-fought 1-0 triumph at home to Sheffield United on Monday evening. The 22-year-old performed manfully at the heart of the Villa’s rearguard, and Konsa also made his presence felt at the other end when he nodded home the game’s only goal on 63 minutes.
Right Wing: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Back at the club where he failed to make the grade, Wilfried Zaha proved a point against his former employers with a superb two goal showing at Old Trafford. The Ivorian winger terrorised United’s defenders throughout with his explosive pace and close control, and Zaha’s efforts helped Palace to a well-deserved victory.
Midfield: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin de Bruyne’s midfield mastery was on show for the first time this season at Molineux on Monday evening, though the brilliant Belgian was as influential as ever. De Bruyne scored one and made one of Man City’s three goals in their 3-1 win against Wolves, and the 29-year-old played an incredible six chance creating key passes overall.
Midfield: James Rodriguez (Everton)
Big-name Toffees signing James Rodriguez put on a show on his first runout at Goodison Park on Saturday against West Brom. The Colombian superstar scored his first Everton goal on the stroke of half time in the Blues’ 5-2 win over the Baggies, and Rodriguez also claimed a late second half assist when he set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin for his hattrick completing header.
Left Wing: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Son-Heung-Min was in electrifying form for Tottenham in their meaty win at Southampton on Sunday. The South Korean international rattled home four of Spurs’ five goals on the south coast, hitting the net with each of his four attempts during the contest.
Attack: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin followed up his opening weekend winner at Spurs last week, with a magnificent hattrick against West Brom on Saturday, in Everton’s excellent 5-2 win over the newly promoted outfit. The 23-year-old found the net from each of his three efforts on target on the day.
Attack: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
More renowned for his expert finishing, Harry Kane showcased his equally devastating creativity against Southampton on Sunday. The England star finished the game with an incredible four assists against the Saints, and Kane still had time to claim one goal for himself in the dying embers of the game.
Attack: Neals Maupay (Brighton)
Seagulls striker Neals Maupay was at his devastating best for Albion in their comprehensive 3-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday. The Frenchman bagged his team’s first two goal inside seven minutes at St. James’ Park, and the 24-year-old showed his invention late the second period to set up Aaron Connolly for a third.
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