Premier League Team of the Week – Isak, Salah, Murillo | OneFootball

Our Premier League Team of the Week, featuring Nottingham Forest’s formidable centre-backs, a Liverpool trio, and Newcastle’s hat-trick hero.

Premier League Team of the Week – Isak, Salah, Murillo

Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga – Bournemouth

Bournemouth will spend Christmas in the Premier League’s top five after an impressive 3-0 win at Manchester United. The scoreline was emphatic for the Cherries, but Bournemouth needed Kepa Arrizabalaga on top form. He made seven saves, including fine strops from Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund, as the home side created an xG of 2.26 without scoring.

Centre-back: Nikola Milenkovic – Nottingham Forest

If Nikola Milenkovic is not the signing of the season, he’s certainly in the conversation. The Serbian stopper has helped transform Nottingham Forest’s backline and was excellent again in the win at Brentford. He made a mammoth 11 clearances as Forest secured a clean sheet and ended Brentford’s unbeaten home run.

Centre-back: Dean Huijsen – Bournemouth

Another outstanding performance from a player growing in stature at Bournemouth. Huijsen’s goal against Manchester United was the icing on the cake of another top-drawer showing. He exuded confidence, made six clearances, won 100% of his tackles, and was not dribbled past at Old Trafford. Bournemouth have got plenty right in the transfer market of late and Huijsen is another gem.

Centre-back: Murillo – Nottingham Forest

Someone, soon, is going to make a big bid for Murillo. The Brazilian was a rock as Nottingham Forest beat Brentford to cement their place in the top four. He read the play excellently on the front foot, was quick over the ground to stop Kevin Schade in his tracks, and embarked on one of his trademark runs. Forest are flying right now but a bigger stage awaits the 22-year-old. He won’t come cheap.

Midfield: Youri Tielemans – Aston Villa

Allowed a greater licence to get forward with Amadou Onana back in the side, Tielemans ran the game at times as Aston Villa beat Manchester City.

The Belgian’s brilliant defence-splitting pass created the first goal, before a run forward freed space in the build-up to the second. City struggled to get near Tielemans, whose craft was complemented by the tenacity of Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana behind. It’s a midfield trio that can take Villa back into the top four.

Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool

The conduit between defence and attack for a Liverpool side who ran riot at Tottenham. Szoboszlai’s industry and speed across the ground helped set Liverpool in motion on several occasions at Spurs, with the all-action Hungarian producing one of his best performances in a red shirt.

He was involved in four goals, won 6/8 duels, scored and assisted in North London, as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the division. On this form, Arne Slot’s side will take some stopping.

Midfield: Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa

Exceptional as Aston Villa piled more pressure on Manchester City. Rogers unselfishly set up Jhon Duran for the opener before scoring the winner with a neat finish into the bottom corner. He was a marauding force and continually powered past a Manchester City midfield that is badly in need of an overhaul.

Much has been of City’s decision to sell Cole Palmer, but what of that to let Rogers leave? Watching this performance, it’s astonishing to think the midfielder was allowed to depart the Etihad for just £1m 18 months ago. A huge talent.

Right-wing: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Magnificent. Two goals, two assists, and the first Premier League player in history to reach 10+ goals and 10+ assists before Christmas. Add in that he’s now the leader in the Golden Boot race and Liverpool’s fourth-highest scorer of all time, it was a weekend to remember for the Egyptian King. He was simply unplayable at times against a Spurs defence all at sea.

Left-wing: Luis Diaz – Liverpool

Ran his socks off as he always does and had the end product to match. Diaz scored twice as Liverpool won 6-3 at Spurs in a chaotic game that saw the leaders cut apart their hosts. His header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s perfect cross opened the scoring, before netting a second late on with a crisp finish. Has taken to a more central role well in recent weeks.

Forward: Gabriel Jesus – Arsenal

What a week for Gabriel Jesus, who Palace must be sick of the sight of. Jesus made it five goals in a week against the Eagles, following up on his Carabao Cup hat-trick with a brace as the Gunners ran riot at Selhurst Park.

His double ended a long league drought for the Brazilian, whose confidence will be sky-high over the festive period. With Bukayo Saka taken off injured, Arsenal will need their other options fit and firing. If Jesus can get back to the level of his first six months in an Arsenal shirt, he could save the Gunners a fortune.

Forward: Alexander Isak – Newcastle

Eddie Howe hailed Alexander Isak as world-class after his hat-trick at Ipswich and it’s difficult to disagree. There are certainly few forwards in Europe with his cool around the area, as Isak made it nine goals in his last nine league appearances.

He guided in an opener inside the opening seconds and doubled his haul before half-time. A smart finish sealed the match ball and the Swede is in red-hot mood right now.

Read – Liverpool top at Christmas but will they win the title?

See more – Tweets of the Week: Drunk football, defender gets pantsed, and Gary Neville ad reads

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok