Gameweek 7 of the Premier League was a sedated affair with nowhere near as many goals scored as the week before. With players about to go on international break for a fortnight, it was Tottenham Hotspur who took everyone by surprise as they inflicted a two-goal defeat on a seemingly flawless Manchester City. Chelsea, meanwhile were back to winning ways as Manchester United squandered away the chance to record a home win.
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With all the action of Gameweek 7 concluded, here’s a look at Sportskeeda’s Premier League Team of the Week:
Goalkeeper
Lee Grant
Manchester United could have easily won against Stoke City, had it not been for their keeper Lee Grant. Selected ahead of Shay Given by Mark Hughes in the absence of their regular keeper Jack Butland, Grant kept his team in the game for the entire first half. Three saves from close-range meant that the Potters were still in the game after halftime. Grant exhibited razor-sharp reflexes and impressive shot-stopping abilities.
Even though he was unable to keep a clean sheet, his numerous saves during the game ensured his team went away with one point against an apparently resurgent United.
Defenders
Cesar Azpilicueta
Playing on the right of a three-man defensive back line, Azpilicueta was back in his preferred position and understandably put on a more confident display. With an 81% passing accuracy, he was only second best to Kante for the Blues.
After two defeats and a draw in their last three Premier League games, Azpilicueta did well to keep the opposition out and maintain a clean sheet. Conte’s tactics had a positive impact on the Spaniard which showed in his calm defensive play.
Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny handed Arsene Wenger one of the scrappiest and most controversial goals of his two-decade tenure securing a literal last-minute win for the Gunners. A Maradona-esque ‘Hand of God’ goal from the centre-back helped Arsenal avert some uncomfortable questions about their form. The Frenchman even held on to a clean sheet making two blocks and recovered the ball a total of 10 times.
Jan Vertonghen
With very little to separate him and Toby Alderweireld, Vertonghen makes it into the Team of the Week because of more blocks. Vertonghen was a wall in front of his goal and did well to keep the Manchester City onslaught at bay.
With the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kelechi Iheanacho who seem always sure to score, hounding him, the Belgian centre-back kept his calm and did some fine defensive work.
Danny Rose
England international Danny Rose was in form for Tottenham against Manchester City. His impressive work rate kept Guardiola’s men at bay and did his part to further his team’s attack as well. It was his cross from near the halfway line that confused Kolarov into clearing it into the net.
Once Rose’s cross and Kolarov’s mistake put Spurs in the lead, the English left-back applied relentless pressure on the opposition that saw him come away with a victory and a clean sheet.
Midfielders
Santi Cazorla
Despite a narrow, last-minute win for the Gunners, they created plenty of chances for themselves, many of them initiated by central midfielder Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard saw plenty of the ball with 114 touches to the ball and attempted 104 passes of which only two were misplaced.
With a 98% passing accuracy, Cazorla was Arsenal’s main man in the midfield who helped funnel the ball to either side of the pitch.
Dele Alli
Last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year has had a slow start to the 2016-17 campaign. However, hosting title contenders Manchester City at home seems to have put the zing back into his game. Alli was relentless in his pursuit of the ball and caused many uncertain moments for the City defenders.
His most important contribution to the game in the 37th minute when he scored the winner. Alli converted a pass from Son into their winning goal of the night when his shot went past Bravo’s outstretched fingers into the far corner.
Dimitri Payet
Despite a number of assists so far this season, Payet had failed to score himself until this gameweek. It seemed like West Ham United were in for another defeat this season when Payet ended his goal drought and scored in the 57th minute.
A cross from Reid in midfield found Payet on the wings. The Frenchman took on five defenders, dribbled past every single one of them to score West Ham’s equalizer. The best goal of the week from Payet helped the Hammers salvage a point from their 7th game of the season.
Forwards
Roberto Firmino
With Lallana off injured, Firmino settled into the midfield and was Liverpool’s best player against Swansea by far. Klopp’s men looked a little off their game trailing 1-0 to Swansea. It was Firmino, however, who made everything happen for his team.
His runs in and around the Swansea defenders kept them off guard all evening and his goal from a header was well-deserved. After going level with their opposition, Firmino did well to win a penalty for his side that ensured Liverpool was going home with three points yet again.
Willian
At a time when Conte and Chelsea are still figuring out the best way to move forward, Willian continues to be the Blues' best player. With a stream of crosses from the right wing, the Brazilian was effectively creating chances. His goal came in the 61st minute after Diego Costa barreled through Hull defenders and passed the ball to Willian.
After a few touches, he curled a shot past a defender and the keeper that found its way to the back of the net.
Diego Costa
It’s quite clear that when Diego Costa just controls his aggression in a wee bit, he performs well for his team. After a trying first half, the game was in the bag for Chelsea in the second. Costa did well to plough through the midfield past Hull players to provide Willian with the assist for his goal.
Only a few short minutes later, Nemanja Matic’s rebound shot landed at Costa’s feet which he quickly proceeded to convert into a goal similar in style to Willian’s. Costa made it six goals in seven matches and ensured the Blues went home with three points.
Substitutes
Anthony Martial
Relegated to the bench for most games, Anthony Martial came on in the second half and made an immediate impact for his team. After squandering chance after chance in the first half, it was Stoke who came back looking stronger after the break. Martial put an end to it after he scored a sublime goal that put Manchester United in the lead.
Patrick van Aanholt
Another substitute to come on and score a goal, Sunderland’s Van Aanholt helped his side get a point in front of their supporters at home. The Black Cats were trailing by a goal to visitors West Bromwich Albion when the Dutch midfielder came on and regained possession of the ball in midfield. Quick play between Watmore and Van Aanholt saw the Dutchman receive the ball in the box and score on the volley.
Isaac Success
Another goalscoring substitute, this time from Watford, Isaac Success made sure his team did not leave empty-handed. After coming on for Ighalo in the 58th minute, he scored soon after with a little help from Holebas to ensure a draw against Bournemouth.
Manager
Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino is no stranger to Pep Guardiola’s tactics. The Argentine manager was at the helm of Espanyol when his men ruthlessly defeated Guardiola’s Barcelona. Pochettino’s instructions to play high-pressure counter-attacking football against title hopefuls City seemed to work as the Citizens found themselves thwarted at every turn.
The game was all but done by the first half and Spurs were even more impressive in the second when they allowed no space for Guardiola’s men to go through.
Pochettino’s tactics and strategy ensured City’s winning streak was over and handed them their first defeat after six consecutive wins in the Premier League.
Here’s how the squad would line up:
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