Picking an eleven is hard; picking just five is even harder.
Chelsea were the only team to keep a Premier League clean sheet in match week 11, as they romped to a 5-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge. Sunderland finally claimed their first league win of the season and Arsenal and Spurs shared the spoils in the North London derby. But who made it into our five-a-side TOTW?
Goalkeeper – Jordan Pickford
This is the third time that Pickford has made it into our 5TOTW. That’s quite some achievement considering he’s playing in a team that sits bottom of the Premier League. Pickford has easily been Sunderland’s stand-out player this season, and he was in imperious form once again on Saturday. His brilliant performance ensured that Sunderland claimed their first league win of the season at the eleventh time of asking. On the numerous occasions that the Sunderland defence was breached, Pickford was there to thwart Bournemouth attacks. Still only 22, he has an enormous future in the game.
The Stopper – Jan Vertonghen
Spurs changed to a back-three for the North London derby, with Vertonghen demonstrating his defensive prowess on numerous occasions. His reading of the game was excellent, and he produced some vital headers to prevent Arsenal snatching victory towards the end. Vertonghen was also at the heart of things when the match threatened to boil over, taking particular exception to Theo Walcott’s reaction to a flailing Victor Wanyama arm. The big Belgian has been without his regular centre-back partner, Toby Alderweireld, in recent weeks, yet he has adapted well and has looked confident in dealing with most things that have been thrown at him.
The Runner – Mousa Dembélé
The North London derby was by no means a classic, yet Dembélé put in a performance of supreme quality. He was the best player on the pitch, controlling the game, winning the ball, and driving forward from midfield. His powerful run earned Spurs the penalty from which Harry Kane equalised. The Belgian midfielder looks unflappable at times, oozing with confidence on the ball, as well as possessing so much strength that opposition players seem to almost bounce off him. Spurs really do miss him when he doesn’t play.
Free Role – Eden Hazard
Yes, that’s right, another Belgian! When Hazard plays like this you can’t help but wonder what went so badly wrong last season? I’ve been critical of him at times in the past, but there can be no denying his natural talent. He ran the show against Everton, running at and taking on defenders at will, as well as chipping in with some truly audacious bits of skill. And oh, he also scored two brilliant goals. It was probably the best individual performance in the Premier League this season. His run of form has coincided with Antonio Conte’s decision to change to a 3-4-3 system; it certainly seems to bring the best out of him and his fellow winger Pedro.
The Finisher – Diego Costa
This was a difficult choice. I was tempted to go with Zlatan Ibrahimovic following his two goals away at Swansea, however, I’ve decided to go with the Chelsea striker who was once again excellent, laying on an assist for Hazard before grabbing a goal himself. Costa has been directly involved in 12 goals this season, two more than anyone else in the Premier League. If I’m being harsh he could have, and perhaps should have, had a hat-trick on Saturday. The Brazil-born Spain international has really been in exceptional form so far this season, proving last seasons doubters very wrong. He also seems to have curbed his notoriously violent temper in recent weeks, having not picked up a yellow card in any of his previous five league games after picking up four in the first six.
Someone On The Post 