Man Utd and Man City pairings star in Premier League team of the month
Manchester City maintained their unstoppable march towards the Premier League title with another winning month as they won all six league matches in February and, as such, have two players make the team of the month. Rivals Manchester United also have two players feature in the best XI, while Leicester and Tottenham are also represented.
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) - 7.42
Emiliano Martinez was the busiest Premier League goalkeeper in February, but dealt with the action with aplomb as he made more saves (26) than any other shotstopper. The Argentine kept three clean sheets from his five outings last month - only Alphonse Areola (4) kept more - as Martinez did enough to make the best XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.42.
Joel Veltman (Brighton) - 7.31
With Tariq Lamptey sidelined, Joel Veltman has stepped in at right-back well for Brighton and makes the Premier League team of the month in defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.31 as a result. The Dutchman bagged his first Premier League goal of his career, albeit in a 2-1 defeat to rivals Crystal Palace, in February, and defended well as he made 13 tackles and interceptions combined.
Joachim Andersen (Fulham) - 7.30
Only Chelsea (2) conceded fewer goals than Fulham (3) in February with Joachim Andersen churning out some solid rearguard showings for the Cottagers last month. The Dane registered his first Premier League assist of the season last month, that coming for Ola Aina to score in the 1-1 draw at Burnley, while only James Tarkowski (31) won more aerial duels than Andersen (29) of defenders to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.30.
Kyle Bartley (West Brom) - 7.24
Partnering Andersen at the heart of the defence is West Brom's Kyle Bartley. The 29-year-old scored his third league goal of the campaign in February, that coming in a crunch relegation six-pointer success over Brighton. Only Tyrone Mings (31) made more clearances than Bartley (29) last month and while the Baggies remain nine points from safety, the defender's performances contributed towards a WhoScored rating of 7.24 and gives West Brom a fighting chance of beating the drop.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) - 7.52
Rounding off the backline is Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw. The defender has been in superb form for United this season and deservedly makes the team of the month with a WhoScored rating of 7.52. Shaw registered more assists (4) than any other Premier League player in February, while only Raphinha (20) made more key passes than the 25-year-old (18).
The sole Wolves representative in the Premier League team of the month is wing wizard Adama Traore. The Spaniard may have failed to have a direct hand in a goal in February, but it wasn't for want of trying as he made 10 key passes last month. Traore completed more dribbles (33) than any other player, 14 of which came in Wolves' 1-1 draw with Newcastle, that a record in a game in Europe's top five leagues this season, and helped the 25-year-old to a WhoScored rating of 7.68.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 7.91
The second Manchester United player to make the XI is key man Bruno Fernandes. No player scored more goals than the midfield maestro (4) in February, those coming from 17 shots, the second highest return. With an additional three assists, Fernandes had a direct hand in more goals (7) than any other Premier League player to make the team of the month with a WhoScored rating of 7.91.
James Maddison (Leicester) - 7.61
James Maddison joins Fernandes in the middle of the park following a fine February for Leicester. The England international had a direct hand in four goals last month, assisting both goals in the Foxes' 2-0 win at Fulham, and netting in wins over Liverpool and Aston Villa. Three clear-cut chances created was one of the better returns in February to help Maddison to a WhoScored rating of 7.61.
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 8.16
The first of two Manchester City players is also the Premier League player of the month. Raheem Sterling enjoyed an impressive February as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.16. Three of the nine goals Sterling has scored this season were netted last month, those coming in wins over Burnley, Liverpool and Arsenal. Sterling, along with Andersen and Fernandes, was one of three players to win multiple man of the match awards last month to help land the individual accolade.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 7.66
Maintaining the Manchester City theme, Phil Foden features on the frontline as the youngster continues to shine for Pep Guardiola's side. Foden had a direct hand in three goals in February, netting twice, and put in a man of the match display in City's 4-1 win at Liverpool early last month. Six key passes and four dribbles contributed towards Foden's inclusion in this team with a WhoScored rating of 7.66.
Joining Foden on the frontline is compatriot Harry Kane. The Tottenham star may have endured a quiet month, netting just twice in comfortable home wins over relegation threatened pair West Brom and Burnley, but Kane's confidence didn't waver as he managed more shots (18) than any other player to round off the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.44.
