Once again, we have a wildly varied FotMob Premier League Team of the Week. It makes sense though given just how bizarre Matchday 23 was for results. With that in mind, here is your XI.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Goalkeeper: Mark Flekken
It is not often that you will see a goalkeeper concede three goals yet still make the Team of the Week. Mark Flekken did though. The Brentford shot-stopper conceded three goals in a loss to Manchester City but his exploits between the sticks prevented it from being a much greater scoreline.
The 30-year-old made 12 saves and faced shots with an Expected Goals on Target value of 4.21 on his way to an 8.8 FotMob rating.
Right-Back: Kieren Trippier
At one stage of the season, Trippier was a regular in the team of the week. He’s been an absentee over recent weeks but returned with a bang this week. The right-back was the difference-maker for Newcastle in their epic 4-4 draw with Luton Town. Trippier scored and assisted in what was a dominant performance going forward, all while doing his defensive job to a high level. He won all three of his tackles and came out on top in six of his nine duels.
Centre-Back: Ruben Dias
Dias was a colossus for Manchester City in their 3-1 win over Brentford. The powerhouse centre-back won all of his tackles, made six ball recoveries and won four of his seven duels. He also completed 97% of the 77 passes he attempted and this included a 100% record with long passes. It was an almost flawless performance.
Centre-Back: Lewis Dunk
Brighton emphatically returned to winning ways after a horror-show against Luton Town in mid-week. The Seagulls romped to a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace and captain Lewis Dunk really impressed. The 32-year-old scored and created two chances for teammates while also having a 100% record in duels. He also completed 98% of the 147 passes he attempted.
Left-Back: Alex Moreno
Moreno is quietly going under the radar at left-back for Aston Villa. The 30-year-old full-back, once again, impressed in the 5-0 win over Sheffield United. The maurading left-footer scored the fifth but his overall performance was eye-catching. For example, he was 100% in dribbles (2/2) and tackles (2/2). He won 75% of his ground duels and helped Unai Emery’s side to a clean sheet as they returned to winning ways.
Midfield: Alejandro Garnacho
There was another two-goal showing for Alejandro Garnacho as Manchester United defeated West Ham United 3-0. The 19-year-old Argentine winger registered a FotMob rating of 9.1 for his performance. To go alongside his two goals, Garnacho also created three chances, won four of his seven duels and had a 100% success rate in tackles.
Midfield: Matheus Cunha
Cunha registered a 9.8 FotMob rating for his showing against Chelsea. The nimble Brazilian playmaker bagged a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge while playing as a support striker to Pedro Neto. The 24-year-old also won the penalty, which he converted, and created one opportunity for a teammate. Cunha completed half of his dribbles and won eight of his 12 duels on a day he won’t forget for a very long time.
Midfield: Phil Foden
It was the Phil Foden show on Monday night. The Manchester City winger notched a hat-trick to steal the attention away from the returning Erling Haaland in a performance that earned him a 9.7 rating. The versatile 23-year-old had a total of six shots against Brentford and carved out three chances for teammates all while finishing the game with a pass success rate of 95%. Deployed on the left-wing, he was unplayable.
Attack: Richarlison
Richarlison can’t stop scoring. For the second time this season, he scored in a match against former club Everton. This time around he found the back of the net on two occasions as Spurs picked up a point away at Goodison Park. The in-form Brazilian was in fine finishing form and even created two chances for Spurs in the game. The No. 9 now has 10 goals and three assists in just shy of 1,200 Premier League minutes this term.
Attack: David Datro Fofana
This is one way to make an impression at a new club. Fofana joined Burnley on loan from Chelsea and made his debut for Vincent Kompany’s side in the defeat to Manchester City. He did grab an assist in that loss after coming off of the bench. He was given 27 minutes against Fulham and he managed to turn the game around completely as Burnley came from 2-0 down to claim a point. Fofana scored twice, the second arriving in stoppage time, in what was a clinical showing.
Attack: Ollie Watkins
Watkins ran riot against Sheffield United. The in-form forward scored once and assisted twice. He’s now, statistically speaking, the most creative player in the Premier League having claimed 10 assists already this term. Watkins was a threat throughout and was perpetually on the move, causing the Blades all kinds of problems.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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