Don Hutchison says Liverpool were far too open in their play at Wembley against Tottenham and that played right into Mauricio Pochettino's hands. Don Hutchison says Liverpool were far too open in their play at Wembley against Tottenham and that played right into Mauricio Pochettino's hands.
After each round of Premier League fixtures, ESPN FC brings you its Team of the Weekend. Our panel of experts carefully selects 11 star performers along with a manager.
Do you agree or disagree? You can have your say on those picked or overlooked in the comments section at the foot of the article or on Twitter using the hashtag #ESPNFCTOTW.
ESPN FC's Premier League Team of the Weekend.
Goalkeeper: Ederson, Manchester City
It's Ederson we turn to as our No. 1 this week after helping Manchester City to yet another clean sheet in the Premier League this season (their sixth in nine games) in the victory against Burnley. While he wasn't required to make too many saves, he did all that was required of him and his passing out from the back was as cool as ever. "A very sound display and excellent distribution with his feet for City," says Paul Mariner.
Right-back: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta really is Chelsea's Mr. Dependable. The Spain international filled in at both right wing-back and left wing-back against Watford on Saturday, having previously been deployed as part of a back three under Antonio Conte. And while he was one of Chelsea's better defenders on a day they struggled at the back, he also proved his worth in the final third too, heading home his side's decisive third goal to turn the game back in their favour. "Whether playing at full-back or centre-back, he's there, he does his job and one-on-one, he doesn't get beat," Gab Marcotti states.
Centre-back: Nicolas Otamendi, Manchester City
Manchester City's creaky defence seems to be a thing of the past and Nicolas Otamendi has been central to that. Having formed an ever-blossoming partnership with John Stones, Otamendi helped City to that sixth clean sheet against Burnley -- second in the league to only Manchester United -- and bagged a goal for himself too. He gets the nod ahead of Mariner's pick of Stones by virtue of having found the back of the net. Marcotti says: "Burnley don't really threaten him so he wanders further forward and does his job as a set-piece threat."
Centre-back: Maya Yoshida, Southampton
While Sofiane Boufal's spectacular solo effort against West Brom will take all the plaudits, it was Southampton's backline that created the platform for him to go on and net the winner. Granted, West Brom's attack was not the sharpest St Mary's has ever seen but the Saints still had to be alert to any danger and Maya Yoshida was central to their success in that department. "He helped Southampton to a clean sheet and put in a very solid performance," notes Mariner.
Left-back: Nacho Monreal, Arsenal
Much like Chelsea can always rely on Cesar Azpilicueta, Arsenal can always turn to Nacho Monreal when in need of a calm and composed performance. His display against Everton (bar a late mix-up with Petr Cech) was exactly that and included a superbly taken equaliser that takes his tally to two goals from his last three league games. Mariner hailed a "top performance" while Marcotti took note of how "he grabbed a goal but, more importantly, settled the back three. He might just be Arsenal's best centre-back right now."
Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne is really making a habit of producing not just assists, but spectacular assists while wearing the blue of Manchester City this season. Leroy Sane can sure attest to that after De Bruyne slotted open the Burnley defence for his goal on Saturday, as City players line up to get on the end of one of his passes. As Marcotti points out: "Yeah it's easier with talent around you but it's significant that everyone looks to him. Another masterclass from the man in the middle."
Ozil was superb in Sunday's big win at Everton, even scoring with his head during the 5-2 rout.
Midfield: Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
Mesut Ozil has had his fair share of critics but when he is as effective in the final third as he was against Everton, it's impossible to argue against his talent. An uncharacteristic header from the Germany international was followed up with a crisp assist for Alexandre Lacazette as he helped to make it a very happy 68th birthday for Arsene Wenger. "Class," says Mariner. "His passing, playing between the lines and ghosting in for his goal: he did it all."
Midfield: Aaron Mooy, Hudderfield Town
While Mariner quite rightly acknowledges the performances of Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey this week, it's Marcotti's choice of Aaron Mooy that completes our midfield trio after he inspired Huddersfield to an historic victory over Manchester United. The Australia international set the Terriers on their way on Saturday but as Marcotti says: "Forget the goal, a gigantic display both ways from the shaven-headed pressing machine."
Winger: Pedro Rodriguez, Chelsea
Pedro Rodriguez's opener for Chelsea against Watford was the club's 8,000th in all competitions and what a fitting strike it was, one that David Beckham in his peak would have been proud of. Pedro also created Michy Batshuayi's first strike of the afternoon with a fine cross and has had a hand in more goals for Chelsea in 2017 than any other player. "Scores a beauty to open the game and then sets up a key goal later, Marcotti says. "Ready when called upon."
Winger: Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
Anything Mesut Ozil can do, Alexis Sanchez can match. With Ozil having set the bar with his performance against Everton, Sanchez was determined to make some headlines for himself. It was Sanchez's wonderful cross that Ozil headed home and the Chile international rounded off the scoring for Arsenal with a fantastic hit of his own. Mariner highlighted his "aggression with and without the ball" as well as his "inventiveness," with Mariner adding: "It's not his fault Everton make it look so easy for him."
Can anyone stop Harry Kane? He chipped in two goals and an assist as Tottenham dismantled Liverpool at Wembley.
Striker: Harry Kane, Tottenham
Another game, another goal for Harry Kane. Or as Liverpool found out on Sunday, another two goals. And an assist. Kane produced two typical poacher's efforts for Tottenham at Wembley to take him to eight league goals for the season, and delivered a sumptuous ball in for Son Heung-Min's strike to boot. There's just no stopping this man at the moment. "Simply brilliant," purrs Mariner, with Marcotti stating: "There are no more superlatives left for him."
Manager: David Wagner, Hudderfield Town
If inspiring newly promoted Huddersfield to victory over a Manchester United side yet to lose in the Premier League this season wasn't quite enough for David Wagner to earn a place in our dugout this week, then how about masterminding the club's first win against the Red Devils since 1952? There's no arguing with that. "He got them fired up out of the blocks quickly -- no one saw this victory coming," says Mariner, with Marcotti adding: "Right now, the best bespectacled German coach in the Premier League." Sorry, Jurgen Klopp.
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Source: espn.co.uk