Premier League Team of the Week: January 19-20

Goal-scoring defenders and a hat-trick hero are in our Team of the Week.

Ben Foster (Watford)

Saves from Ashley Wood and Jeff Hendrick preserved the Hornets’ clean sheet against Burnley. This was just the third occasion that Watford have kept out the opposition at home this season. It looks as though Foster will be busier than he’d like!

Jan Bednarek (Southampton)

Southampton continue to climb the table after a 2-1 win over Everton, during which Bednarek won 14 aerial duels and made seven interceptions. The Saints now have four wins from eight matches under Ralph Hasenhuttl, more than they managed in 22 games with Mark Hughes in charge.

Fabian Schar (Newcastle)

Did anybody back Schar to be First Goalscorer against Cardiff? If so, congratulations! The Swiss international scored his first goal for the “Toon” after carrying the ball forward from the halfway line before curling it past Neil Etheridge. He then doubled Newcastle’s lead after the break with an instinctive flick, leaving him as the Magpies’ fourth highest scorer this season.

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

One goal, one clean sheet, 13 clearances and one very painful block means that the veteran defender features in our team. Granted, there was an element of fortune to his goal as the ball found the net via his shoulder. However, he has now scored in nine consecutive Premier League seasons.

Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Bellerin returned to the starting 11 against Chelsea but could only last 72 minutes before he departed on a stretcher due to a knee injury. Prior to that he had retained possession on five occasions, won two aerial duels and completed both of his attempted dribbles. Hopefully he won’t be on the side lines for too long.

Joao Moutinho (Wolves)

Wolves snatched a win deep in injury time as they beat Leicester 4-3 on Saturday. Moutinho boasted a pass success rate of 85% in the match, with two assists in the first 12 minutes for Diogo Jota and Ryan Bennett. The win means that Wolves leapfrog the Foxes into eighth.

Harry Winks (Tottenham)

Fulham’s efforts weren’t to be enough as Winks’ winner leaves Tottenham four points clear in third place. The goal, scored in injury time, was his first since November 2016 and means Spurs have won four straight away games.

Danilo (Manchester City)

In truth there was little to no chance of Danilo’s speculative strike finding the net against Huddersfield, but a fortunate deflection ensured that the Brazilian broke the deadlock. He has now started in five consecutive Premier League games for the first time.

Mo Salah (Liverpool)

Liverpool are up to 60 points after they came out on top against Crystal Palace at Anfield. Two second-half goals from Salah increases his tally to 50 in the Premier League and returns him to the top of the scoring charts for this season.

Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)

In arguably his finest performance yet in an Arsenal shirt, Lacazette was key in both attack and defence for the Gunners. He broke the deadlock with a powerful drive that beat Kepa Arrizabalaga at his near post, while also making three interceptions as a striker.

Diogo Jota (Wolves)

Jota opened the scoring inside of four minutes at Molineux, and completed his hat trick 88 minutes later to end an incredibly entertaining match. His composure for his latter two goals has been missing from Wolves’ game this season – perhaps a new striker isn’t needed after all.