Perfect Man City and Chelsea forwards lead Premier League Team of the Week
After another weekend of Premier League action, we’ve taken a look at gameweek 36’s standout performers. Represented in our Team of the Week are Aston Villa, Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
Robin Olsen (Aston Villa) - 8.43
Despite his side ultimately falling to defeat at Brighton on Sunday, Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen makes our Team of the Week. Standing in for the injured Emi Martinez, Olsen made a total of seven stops, with one of those denying Joao Pedro from the penalty spot.
Fulham defender Issa Diop helped his side to a 10th clean sheet of the season as they played out a goalless draw with west London rivals Fulham on Saturday. The former West Ham man made nine clearances, six ball recoveries, one last-man tackle and one goal line clearance to ensure the Whites left with at least a point.
After announcing in midweek that he would leave the club at the end of the season, Chelsea defender Thiago Silva reminded Blues supporters just what they’d be missing when he turned in a vintage display against West Ham on Sunday. The 39-year-old provided the assist for Noni Madueke’s headed finish after 36 minutes, while he also completed 74 of the 75 passes he attempted. Silva also managed three tackles and nine clearances to return a WhoScored rating of 8.17.
Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) - 8.10
Rounding off the defence is Crystal Palace man Chris Richards, who was key in Monday's 4-0 win over Manchester United. Richards provided the assist for Jean-Philippe Mateta's strike five minutes before the break and made four clearances, two interceptions and two tackles on home turf to claim a WhoScored rating of 8.10.
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke both scored and assisted for the second time in his last three matches as he continued his sparkling form at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The 22-year-old headed home the Blues’ third of the afternoon with 36 minutes on the clock, before selflessly setting up Nicolas Jackson for the hosts’ fourth three minutes into the second half. Madueke also made six key passes and three successful dribbles on his way to a season-high WhoScored rating of 9.69.
Joining Madueke in our five-man midfield is teammate Cole Palmer, who brought his scoring tally for the season to 21, renewing his credentials for the Premier League’s Golden Boot. Along with netting the opener, Palmer also made four key passes, with two of those leading to clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) - 9.12
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott continued his impressive form since the turn of the year with a Player of the Match display in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Tottenham at Anfield. Early in the second half, the 21-year-old found Cody Gakpo with an inch-perfect ball for the hosts’ third of the afternoon, before picking out the top left corner with a sumptuous strike just nine minutes later. In all, Elliott managed four shots on target, five key passes and seven ball recoveries for a WhoScored rating of 9.12.
Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) - 9.17
Michael Olise was once again the star of the show for Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace on Monday evening, as they put four past a hopeless Manchester United side at Selhurst Park. The 22-year-old was allowed the freedom of south London when he ghosted past the United defence before slotting home the Eagles’ opener after just 12 minutes. Olise would then find the net with a powerful effort midway through the second half, that his second league brace of the season.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest) - 8.88
Former Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi earns a place in our best XI having turned in a Player of the Match performance at Bramall Lane on Saturday. The Nottingham Forest attacker found the net with both of his shots on target, while he also made three key passes and won three ground duels, for a WhoScored rating of 8.88.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 10.0
With his first perfect WhoScored rating of the Premier League season, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is our Player of the Week for his performance against Wolves. In ruthless fashion, the Norwegian found the net four times to effectively seal all three points before half time.
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) - 10.0
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson joins Erling Haaland with a flawless display this week, having been involved in three of the Blues’ five goals against West Ham on Sunday. Jackson calmly netted his 12th and 13th goals of the league season, while he also provided the assist for Cole Palmer’s opener and completed three successful dribbles, in yet another strong showing.
