Premier League Team of the Week - Gameweek #3

West Brom vs Chelsea provided scintillating entertainment as both sides went looking for the winIt’s only been three weeks since the start of the 2015/16 season but it’s already beginning to look like we’re in for a very exciting and unpredictable remaining 35 gameweeks. Manchester City comfortably defeated Everton, with goals from Kolarov and Nasri, and their fans will be happy to see their rivals, Chelsea struggling to get over the finish line and Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United dropping points this past week. Elsewhere, Bournemouth got their first victory, while Sunderland got their first points of the season.Some players shone as others could not improve on their performances in the past two weeks. There were some more debutants and a few less familiar faces. All in all the Premier League action did not disappoint.Lets look at the players that made it to this week’s Premier League Team of the Week:

#1 Goalkeeper

Petr Cech – Arsenal

When Arsenal snapped up the former Chelsea keeper, a lot of people thought he was the answer to the club’s goalkeeping problems. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, had finally made the signing that would make his team title contenders, such was the opinion of a majority of football pundits as well.

Unfortunately, for both the player and the manager, Cech’s Arsenal career got off to a shaky start – responsible for the goals and the loss in his first Premier League game for the club. The performance in the last game against rivals, Liverpool, sees not only a redeeming performance from the 33-year-old, but only sees him enter our Premier League Team of the week for the very first time this season.

Liverpool could’ve been 3 goals up against Arsenal within the first-half, if it wasn’t for Cech. The new Arsenal goalkeeper saving an effort from Milner early on that seemed destined for the bottom corner, Benteke’s shot from less than six yards that had Liverpool scratching their heads as to how it stayed out, and the best of them all – a finger-tip save from a Coutinho curler that had goal written all over it.

What makes Cech’s performance even better was the lack of cover he had during the game; both first choice centrebacks, Mertesacker and Koscielny, were out of action this past week, adding pressure and uncertainty to Arsenal’s backline. Arsenal was second-best for most of the game, especially the first 45 minutes, but it was Cech that got his team the clean sheet and a point from the game.

#2 Defence

Matteo Darmian – Manchester United

The Italian right-back has not put a single foot wrong so far for Manchester United and is quickly becoming one of the most dependable players in the team, alongside centre-back, Chris Smalling. Together, the Manchester United defence is yet to concede in the Premier League, even as majority of doubts at the start of the season were about the club’s back four. Darmian’s biggest weakness – his crossing – also saw an improvement in the last game, a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United.

Fabricio Coloccini – Newcastle United

Things did not go well for the Newcastle United captain last season, and many were calling for the Argentine to be sold and replaced during the off-season period. Playing against Manchester United this past week, Coloccini put in a flawless display, allowing the talented threesome of Depay, Rooney and Mata absolutely no space to work in. The 33-year-old will need to put in at least a dozen such performances to keep his club safe this season.

Scott Dann – Crystal Palace

Putting in a solid, commanding defensive performance for the first 70 minutes of the game against Aston Villa, Dann added to this with a goal from a Puncheon cross, when he was up for a corner. After Aston Villa scored and equalized, Dann contributed to his club’s win with an assist for newcomer, Bakary Sako’s goal.

Aleksandar Kolarov – Manchester City

Just like Darmian on the other side of this Team of the Week defence, the Manchester City left-back, Kolarov, has been putting in efficient performances week in, week out. This time, again, Kolarov opened the scoring for his team and kept a clean sheet in a game against a tough opposition in Everton. He is becoming undroppable for Manchester City and irreplaceable in the Team of the Week.

#3 Midfield

Bakary Sako – Crystal Palace

The Mali international was signed from Championship side, Wolves, in the off-season, but looks like a player who is destined for great things in the top league in England. Comfortable running at defences and adept at finishing, scoring a goal on debut, Sako will be a key member in the Crystal Palace side.

James Morrison – West Bromwich Albion

Last week’s game against champions, Chelsea, must have been bittersweet for Morrison. He took responsibility and missed a 12th-minute penalty, Chelsea scored immediately after. His time in the spotlight was far from over as the Scottish international scored twice in the game, but couldn’t grab a point for his club.

Callum McManaman – West Bromwich Albion

Morrison’s teammate, McManaman won the penalty after being fouled by Matic in the box. For the rest of the game, the 24-year-old winger tormented Chelsea full-backs with his trickery and pace. If he continues such performances throughout the season, it won’t be the last time he makes this list.

Pedro – Chelsea

Life in the Premier League could not have started any better for the former-Barcelona player; after a long transfer saga, as he attracted attention from Manchester United, Chelsea managed to grab the tenacious winger. Manager, Mourinho, will be enthralled by the new signing’s debut, and will hope the Spanish international will add to the goal and performance at the Hawthorns.

David Silva – Manchester City

With how impressive the Manchester City attack has been, it isn’t surprising to see one of their players in this list week-after-week. This time, it’s David Silva, whose performance was stellar against Everton, constantly creating problems for Tim Howard and his defence. Hitting the post early on, creating chances for his teammates and having a hand in the first goal, Silva is worthy of a spot in the Team of the Week.

#4 Attack

Callum Wilson – AFC Bournemouth

The Bournemouth side has maintained a spine that is made of players that helped them grab promotion to the Premier League – one of them is striker, Callum Wilson. After some good performances in the first two games, the newly promoted side finally managed to grab three points in a game that was easily the match of the week, a 3-4 victory against West Ham, away from home.

In the game, Wilson scored a hat-trick, including a penalty in the final moments of the game, but his predatory instincts are the key reason he finds himself as the lone striker in this week’s team. His first two goals were both from near the centre of the opposition’s penalty box and were crucial in silencing the loud West Ham crowd, as Bournemouth looked to gain ascendency.

Wilson certainly looks Premier League material and it’ll be interesting to see if he continues to score and perform for his club throughout the season.

SUBSTITUTES: Jack Butland – Stoke City, Vincent Kompany – Manchester City, Steven Taylor – Newcastle United, Chris Smalling – Manchester United, Riyad Mahrez – Leicester City, Georginio Wijnaldum – Newcastle United, Diego Costa – Chelsea.