This might be the most varied FotMob Team of the Week of the season with eight teams represented in the XI. It was yet another potentially decisive weekend in the Premier League with the title race playing out, the race for a top four place taking an abrupt turn for one team and Tottenham Hotspur finally winning a game of football. So, let’s take a look at the FotMob Team of the Week for Matchday 25.
By Sam McGuire
Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
Vicario was making his first start for Spurs since the 4-0 win over Manchester City in November. He showed exactly what Tottenham have been missing with his display against Manchester United on Sunday. He was given the FotMob Player of the Match award with a rating of 8.4 having made six saves against the Red Devils to keep a clean sheet and relieve some pressure on Ange Postecoglou. With the 28-year-old back between the sticks, Spurs could surge up the table.
Right-Back: Yankuba Minteh
Minteh was deployed as a wing-back by Brighton in their 3-0 demolition of Chelsea. He was one of the main reasons why the Seagulls were able to run riot against Enzo Maresca’s men. The former Newcastle United forward scored twice, created the most chances (three), made the most tackles (four) and won the most duels (12). He also completed three of his four dribbles. He did all that having had just 35 touches. He made the most of his limited time in possession. The FotMob rating of 9.3 was more than justified. It was deserved.
Centre-Back: Calvin Bassey
Bassey was the match-winner for Fulham against Nottingham Forest. The centre-back put in a dominant display in possession, completing 88% of his passes, while winning 50% of his duels. A solid feat considering he was up against an in-form battering ram known as Chris Wood. The 25-year-old recovered the ball on five occasions and no opponent managed to dribble past him. All in all, it was a solid showing at Craven Cottage.
Centre-Back: Marc Guéhi
The in-demand Crystal Palace skipper was on the losing side this weekend but he did more than enough to catch the eye. The 24-year-old completed the most passes against Everton (63 of 79), created one chance at Selhurst Park, completed 100% of his dribbles, won 75% of his tackles and triumphed in 10 of his 17 duels. He put in a solid showing for the Eagles and probably didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
Left-Back: Keane Lewis-Potter
The left-back caught the eye for Brentford in their 1-0 win over West Ham United. The 23-year-old created two chances, completed 82% of his passes, and completed 50% of his dribbles. He won 100% of his attempted tackles, recovered the ball on seven occasions, won 100% of his aerial duels and came out on top in four of his seven duels.
Midfield: Ryan Christie
The versatile midfielder ran the show for Bournemouth in their 3-1 win over Southampton. Christie scored and assisted on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.8. He created two chances at St Mary’s on Saturday, while also winning 50% of his tackles and 67% of his aerial duels and three of his seven ground duels. He made one interception and recovered the ball seven times. He was dominant, with and without the ball, as the Cherries returned to winning ways in the Premier League.
Midfield: Mikel Merino
Merino was the unlikely hero for the Gunners as they kept within touching distance of Liverpool. The midfielder was brought on with 21 minutes remaining against Leicester City and he was the match-winner, scoring twice in the final nine minutes to help Arsenal claim a 2-0 win. He was barely involved in general play, attempting just nine passes, but won the game for the Gunners with some poacher-like instincts in the penalty box.
Attack: Ethan Nwaneri
The 17-year-old Arsenal forward has fully bought into the idea of carrying this Arsenal title challenge on his back. The Gunners are down to the bare bones in attack following injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Nwaneri started the game against Leicester City and was the main man for the team looking to hunt down Liverpool. He completed the most dribbles (seven), won the most duels (13), made the most tackles (three), and claimed an assist in the 2-0 win. His showing earned him a FotMob rating of 9.0.
Attack: Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz joined on loan in January in a move that went slightly under the radar. The versatile midfielder spent last season on loan with Juventus from Southampton before moving to Flamengo in a club-record transfer. In his first start for the Toffees, the 22-year-old assisted the opener and scored the winner on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.6 – the highest of the match. The 22-year-old had five shots and carved out three chances playing as an attacking midfielder behind Beto. It was a genius decision by David Moyes.
Attack: Omar Marmoush
Marmoush finally announced himself to the Premier League.
The Egyptian signed for Manchester City in the January transfer window and though he’s looked bright, he was yet to open his account for the champions. He ran riot against Newcastle United though, netted a first-half treble in an eventual 4-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s men on his way to a FotMob rating of 9.6. If this is a sign of things to come, City may have struck gold. They’re now back in the top four, too.
Attack: Beto
What a week it has been for the Everton forward. The 27-year-old is only in the Everton team at the moment because of an injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. But he’s making the most of it. The powerhouse forward netted against Liverpool in midfield and opened the scoring against Crystal Palace, making it four goals in three Premier League games. Against the Eagles, Beto carved out two chances and won a match-high 18 duels. He was also involved in a match-high 33 duels. His performance was key in David Moyes’ men returning to winning ways.
(Images from IMAGO)
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