Premier League Team of the Week – Jackson and Diaz shine

Each week we delve through the Premier League action and compile our Team of the Week from the fixture’s finest performers.

Premier League Team of the Week

Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson – Crystal Palace

Dean Henderson was a frustrating barrier to Manchester United’s hopes of three points this weekend, as the Crystal Palace goalkeeper denied his former side with a string of saves. Though few will make a highlight reel, Henderson stood firm amid strong pressure from the visitors to earn a clean sheet and Palace a point.

Right-back: Kenny Tete – Fulham

Fulham’s right-hand side tormented Newcastle United at Craven Cottage as the Kenny Tete and Adama Traore combination caused headaches for the visitors. The former’s regular raids down the right opened up the game for the Cottagers, while he dominated his duel with Anthony Gordon at the other end. A fine full-back performance.

Centre-back: Ibrahima Konate – Liverpool

Ibrahima Konate has answered the question marks around him in the early Arne Slot era, emerging as a dominant defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk.

Against Bournemouth, he led the contest for touches (124), made six clearances, won 100% of his aerial duels (4/4), and completed eight long passes, including a raking assist to pick out Luis Diaz. Having been left out of the team on the opening weekend, the shirt will be tough to take from him now.

Centre-back: Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal

Arsenal’s draw at Manchester City will feel like defeat given the nature of the late equaliser conceded, but the Gunners defended unbelievably after being reduced to ten men in first-half stoppage time.

Gabriel was a colossus at the back and scored for the second week running with another towering header. The Brazilian can be a wrecking ball at set-pieces and powered in to score Arsenal’s second of the game. He’ll be disappointed it was not the winner but he could not have done much more. The 26-year-old has come on leaps and bounds in an Arsenal shirt.

Left-back: Marc Cucurella – Chelsea

Deserves huge credit for the way he has turned his Chelsea career around. Written off after early struggles, Cucurella is now one of the first names on the team sheet. The Spaniard did well against Mohammed Kudus in the 3-1 win at West Ham and continues to excel when inverting into midfield. Gives his all every single time.

Midfield: Moises Caicedo – Chelsea

Stamped his mark on the game at the London Stadium as Chelsea cruised to three points at West Ham. The Ecuadorian was energetic and tenacious, leading the contest for duels won (13) and tackles (4) in the sort of all-action performance Chelsea fans have craved from him. A delightful through ball for Nicolas Jackson also saw the 22-year-old claim an assist.

Midfield: Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa

Morgan Rogers’ reward finally came this weekend with two assists against Wolves. The 22-year-old has consistently been one of Aston Villa’s standout players since the start of the season, without the tangible end product some statisticians demand. Against Wolves, he picked out Ollie Watkins for the equaliser, before racing away to tee up Jhon Duran to seal the win.

Another eye-catching performance from a talent enjoying his football right now.

Midfield: James Maddison – Tottenham

After successive snubs with England, James Maddison has a point to prove. The midfielder produced one of his best performances in a Spurs shirt against Brentford this weekend, with Maddison at the hub of a comeback win in North London.

Inventive all afternoon, his ability to twist and turn away from challenges is wonderfully watchable and he capped a top-class display with a well-taken goal late on.

Right-wing: Adama Traore – Fulham

Adama Traore has quietly had a superb start to the season at Fulham. The season’s opening weeks have seen the Spaniard shed the frustrating performances of old with improved decision-making and trademark athleticism.

After assisting the opener, he dovetailed delightfully with Kenny Tete down the right-hand side to cause Newcastle all sorts of problems, while drifting into central areas to burst past challenges. One nonchalant shrug off of Joelinton showed what Traore is capable of at his best, boasting an almost unrivalled combination of strength and speed.

Left-wing: Luis Diaz – Liverpool

Scored twice, could have had more, and was a real livewire in the Liverpool attack to continue his excellent start to the campaign. Diaz scored twice in as many minutes to put Arne Slot’s side in control against Bournemouth, extending his haul to five for the season.

He rounded the wayward Kepa Arrizabalaga with a neat touch and finish for the opener, before sliding a second under the Spaniard to make it 2-0. The Colombian looks revitalised under the Slot regime.

Forward: Nicolas Jackson – Chelsea

A fantastic centre-forward display from a player who has had his critics in a Chelsea shirt. A quick-fire brace put the Blues in control at West Ham, with each taken clinically.

After slipping an opener through Alphonse Areola, Jackson added a second with a prodded finish to double the lead. He turned provider for Cole Palmer’s third with a perfectly weighted pass to complete his number nine clinic across the capital.

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