Premier League Team of the Week: De Gea, Pogba and Silva involved

Premier League best XI from matchweek 15, with David De Gea, Paul Pogba and David Silva all involved.

The Manchester clubs have been a class apart through the first 15 games of this Premier League season, so it’s no surprise to see another team of the week dominated by stars of both United and City.

The result of the week belonged to the former, who beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday thanks to heroics from David De Gea in goal and Paul Pogba’s brilliance going forward.

United’s significant win put the pressure back on City to maintain their eight-point lead at the top. David Silva duly answered the call on Sunday, as he glided effortlessly through a stubborn West Ham side and netted the winner for a narrow 2-1 victory.

Find out who else joins the stars of Manchester in the team of the week:

Goalkeeper: David De Gea, Manchester United

De Gea was almost supernatural in north London this weekend. The Spain international was a bane to an Arsenal side that produced a lot of attractive football, but couldn’t best the man between the posts.

United’s No. 1 was put through his paces, facing 33 shots, with 15 of them on target. He saved 14. To repeat, he saved 14.

Some of those stops defied belief, not to mention the laws of physics and anatomy. Everyone will have a favourite, except for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Personally, I would choose the dive to palm away a goal-bound deflection after the ball had cannoned off United striker Romelu Lukaku.

De Gea’s miracle show can be summed up with a myriad of superlatives. But United boss Jose Mourinho found the most fitting sentiment:

There isn’t a better ‘keeper in England’s top flight, nor the world game, than De Gea.

Defender: Ashley Williams, Everton

Solid, dependable and tough. Ashley Williams once epitomised all those qualities as arguably the most underrated centre-back in the division.

Yet like many at Everton this season, Williams’ form has hit the floor amid managerial changes and tactical mis-steps. The arrival of Sam Allardyce as manager will likely get Williams back to his best, if the early evidence is anything to go by.

Proof of the Allardyce effect was obvious during Everton’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday. It was a victory built on an air-tight defence, with Williams its stingiest member.

He was commanding in the air and too strong on the deck. What should please Toffees’ fans the most was how steady Williams was as the organiser at the back.

Defender: Christian Kabasele, Watford

Dominance in the air was also a feature of Christian Kabasele’s performance for Watford. The centre-back rose highest to head in the Hornets’ goal against Tottenham, before spending the rest of the match frustrating Harry Kane.

Spurs’ star striker couldn’t shake Kabasele loose. Kane found himself buffeted, harried and harassed by a quick, physical and aggressive Kabasele.

The Belgian defender is steadily becoming a linchpin at the back.

Defender: Mamadou Sakho, Crystal Palace

Two clean sheets in a row has Palace just three points short of safety. This mini revival on the watch of manager Roy Hodgson has been inspired by a mean defence led superbly by Mamadou Sakho.

He was the key figure for Palace again as Hodgson’s side earned a 0-0 draw at West Brom. It was the Eagles’ second goalless stalemate on their travels in a week after the 0-0 draw away to Brighton last Tuesday.

Inconsistency and disciplinary problems have plagued Sakho throughout his career. But there is little doubt the Frenchman is a formidable presence when on form, with few defenders able to match his pace and power.

Midfielder: Jesse Lingard, Manchester United

Last week I discussed the importance of Jesse Lingard to United’s title challenge. He underlined the point emphatically by bagging a brace to down the Gunners.

Once again, Lingard’s movement between the lines caught the eye. He ghosted from wide areas into the middle and advanced quickly to support Lukaku up top.

Lingard’s pace and work-rate were key factors in United’s high-pressing strategy. Even so, the goals will have pleased Mourinho most.

Lingard has netted three in a week, filling the void created by Lukaku’s ongoing goal drought. He has also given United the tactically aware, grafting and quick mover between the midfield and forward lines their flexible shape needs.

Next: The Table Doesn’t Lie: Someone tell Arsenal to stop missing

Midfielder: Eden Hazard, Chelsea

No matter how sluggishly Chelsea begin a match, the Blues can always trust Eden Hazard to spark into life and turn what is pedestrian into something thrilling.

Hazard dragged Chelsea out of the mire against Newcastle on Saturday. The Blues trailed 1-0 early, causing the home support at Stamford Bridge to get a little testy.

The change in atmosphere was merely the cue for Hazard to turn on the style. He scored twice, including a cheeky and deft chip from the penalty spot to turn a struggle into a comfortable day’s work for Chelsea.

Goals have become more common for the gifted No. 10 since Antonio Conte took charge, per OptaJoe:

Last season’s champions may be hanging on by their fingernails in the title race, but Hazard has enough magic in his boots to make sure United and City can’t forget about Chelsea just yet.

Midfielder: Paul Pogba, Manchester United

Paul Pogba’s day ended on a sour note when he was sent off after a nasty collision with Hector Bellerin. Before then, Pogba was a class act whenever United went forward.

He assisted two of his side’s three goals, with both contributions brilliantly illustrating what makes Pogba a special player. His technique and vision were obvious in the build-up to United’s first goal.

He received a pass from Antonio Valencia and shaped to shoot, but the action was only a feint, one Arsenal’s defence fell hard for. Instead, Pogba deftly slid the ball outside and back into the path of Valencia, who finished through Petr Cech’s legs.

Pogba’s next assist wasn’t a technical accomplishment. It was all about the brute strength the midfield powerhouse boasts. Laurent Koscielny knows all about it after Pogba swatted him away like a fly before crossing for Lingard to tap in.

Pace, power, peerless technique and a creative temperament all make Pogba the jewel of this United team.

The France international will now miss United’s next three matches, including next week’s Manchester derby, per Mark Crellin of Sky Sports. United won’t have the same fluency in attacking areas without Pogba’s flair.

Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho spent all summer angling for a transfer to Barcelona and took a lot of flak for it. But the critics have since been made to keep schtum by the Brazilian’s superb form.

Coutinho was again the chief architect for Liverpool during the 5-1 thrashing of Brighton. He provided an assist, blasted in a free-kick and forced an own goal from Lewis Dunk.

It was the kind of dynamic and decisive display befitting a world-class No. 10. Coutinho is moving into that bracket with his performances this season.

If he continues playing this well, Liverpool will have an even harder time resisting offers for their main man next summer.

Midfielder: David Silva, Manchester City

City’s irrepressible form this season has been all about the collective brilliance of their squad. There are so many stars, not just one artisan responsible for the leaders’ free-flowing football and lengthy winning run.

Yet if one player is closest to being the talisman of this City side it’s Silva. The pocket-edition playmaker was a picture of effortless artistry against West Ham.

Silva roamed freely between the lines, always finding dangerous pockets of space to exploit. What made Silva dangerous was his efficiency on the ball, as the 31-year-old rarely wasted a pass. Silva’s touch and technique ensured the right weight and shape was on all his passes.

Goals are rarer for Silva than assists, but his well-timed run into the box to finish smartly beyond Adrian for the winning goal showed the Spaniard knows how to pick his moments.

Striker: Roberto Firmino, Liverpool

Coutinho and Mohamed Salah ensure Liverpool own one of the best forward lines in Europe. But the Reds are better still whenever Roberto Firmino is given the start through the middle.

The No. 9 who is not really a No. 9 was terrific against Brighton. Firmino scored twice and gave the Brighton back line a torrid time thanks to his subtle movements inside the box.

It wasn’t all about the goals, though, as Firmino’s link play helped Liverpool combine at breathtaking speed on the break. It’s no coincidence the Reds have arrested their slide in the league, moving back into the top four after four wins from five, since Firmino has been back to his best.

Striker: Charlie Austin, Southampton

Just as Firmino has revived Liverpool, Charlie Austin has helped Southampton finally find a scoring touch. The burly target man was on the scoresheet again to help the Saints earn a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Sunday.

In the process, Austin continued a fine recent run in front of goal:

Austin couldn’t add to his tally, but it wasn’t for the want of trying, as he bullied the Cherries’ defence in the air. With Austin up top, the Saints have the natural focal point they had been missing.