De Gea, David Silva and Rooney feature in EPL Team of the Week

It was yet another exciting week in the English Premier League as the title battle intensified with Arsenal and Leicester playing out draws and Manchester City improving their situation with a well-deserved victory.

Here’s a look at the players who featured in the EPL team of the week -

Goalkeeper

David de Gea (Manchester United): The Spaniard has been compared to legendary United goalkeepers Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar of late and was the team’s best performer in the narrow win against Liverpool. Rushing off his line to palm away Adam Lallana’s header at the top of the box and saving with his legs to deny Emre Can were his most important contributions to make sure United kept a clean sheet.

Defenders

Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth): With little to worry about on the defensive end, Daniels was able to make his presence felt in the attacking third. He scored from a penalty - the ball crashing against the frame of the goal before going in - and then curled in a cross described by commentators as ‘inch perfect’ for Benik Afobe to secure all three points.

Matt Targett (Southampton): The English youngster had a game to remember as he put in some impressive leg work across the field to make himself useful in the defensive and attacking thirds. He helped his side keep a clean sheet by marking out the opposition’s attackers. And he won a penalty for Southampton to score their second goal. He almost got one for himself but was denied by a goalline clearance.

Ashley Williams (Swansea City): Williams scored his first goal in the Premier League this season to give Swansea a home win against Watford. The Swansea captain was detailed to man mark in-form striker Odion Ighalo and did a good job as the Nigerian’s threat was neutralised and he wasn’t able to get any shots on target.

Midfielders

David Silva (Manchester City): Silva made it a comfortable day for Manchester City as they enjoyed a 4-0 home win against Crystal Palace through the playmaker’s influence. Silva was extremely influential in City’s attack as he controlled the play to help set up goals for Fabian Delph and Sergio Aguero. He also scored a goal, combining with Aguero towards the end of the game to manufacture an easy finish.

Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United): The Dutchman was an excellent cog in Newcastle’s attacking trio. He created plenty of chances for strike partners Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic with the former managing to convert one of the chances for the Magpies’ opening goal. Wijnaldum got on the end of an excellent attacking move to secure Newcastle’s winner.

James Ward-Prowse (Southampton): With an excellent curling free-kick, Ward-Prowse gave the Saints their opening goal in the fifth minute. Later, he converted a penalty and double his professional career goalscoring statistics, having only scored two goals in his career before this match.

Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur): The Danish playmaker’s immense influence on the Spurs midfield cannot be doubted after his performance in their 4-1 comeback victory against Sunderland. Eriksen scored the first half equaliser and was the focal point of Tottenham’s attacks in the second half. He also scored Tottenham’s third goal although with a bit of luck as his long-range shot took a deflection to loop over the keeper.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United): Rooney is back in form and many comparisons have been made to a younger version of himself when he initially joined the Manchester club. The United and England captain claimed a record for himself by scoring the most number of goals for a single club in the Premier League as his winner against Liverpool was his 176th goal in the competition for United, taking over the record from Thierry Henry who had 175 for Arsenal.

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City): Aguero created plenty of chances for himself by putting in an excellent shift. The Argentine scored two goals for City; a shot from distance which got a lucky deflection and a tap in at the goalline from a brilliantly worked City play. He had a chance to complete his hattrick but chose to unselfishly set up Silva for an easy goal.

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur): Kane’s impressive work rate to lead the forward line for Tottenham was key to them completing their comeback. He kept the Sunderland goalkeeper on his toes with three excellent shots from distance before claiming his reward by stepping up to convert a late penalty.