Premier League Team of the Week: Marcus Rashford, Riyad Mahrez involved

Premier League best XI for matchweek 30, with Marcus Rashford and Riyad Mahrez involved.

Marcus Rashford fired himself into the latest Premier League team of the week after downing Liverpool with two goals at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Both goals were about redemption for Manchester United attacker Rashford, a player who has struggled for consistency in his development this season.

Speaking of redemption, Riyad Mahrez has surely endeared himself to Leicester fans once again. Another superb display, this time in a 4-1 win over doomed West Brom, will help some forget about the strike the winger went on when he didn’t get his move to Manchester City in January.

Find out who else makes this week’s best XI:

Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski, Swansea

West Brom look certain for the drop, but Swansea continue to move away from danger. The Swans had a miserly defense to thank for Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Huddersfield.

In particular, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was a hero. The Polish stopper stood tall against a barrage of shots from the Terriers.

Fabianski was called into action early and often, especially after Jordan Ayew was sent off in the 11th minute. Playing with 10 men didn’t harm the Swans thanks to Fabianski’s form.

The ex-Arsenal man saved brilliantly from Steve Mounie in the second half. He also dealt with crosses with authority and calm.

To put Fabianski’s resolve into context, OptaJoe detailed how often Huddersfield tested the Swansea defense:

Defender: Ashley Young, Manchester United

A converted winger against the deadliest wide forward in the division should have been a recipe for disaster for United. Instead, Ashley Young looked like a left-back for the ages as he subdued free-scoring Mohamed Salah with the minimum of fuss.

Young was intelligent and selective about the way he went about keeping Liverpool’s main threat under wraps. He knew when to press and get touch-tight, while also choosing the right times to sit off and deny Salah the chance to spin in behind.

Young’s case was helped by the support he received on the flanks. Rashford doubled up whenever he could, while center-back Chris Smalling was quick to cover whenever Salah drifted infield.

Overall though, it was Young who kept the pressure on Liverpool’s attacking talisman and kept him off his deadly left foot.

Defender: Federico Fernandez, Swansea

Any time Fabianski wasn’t called into action it was usually because Federico Fernandez had already stymied another Huddersfield attack.

The Argentinian center-back was quick to throw himself into the path of a shot. He blocked more than one sighter from the Terriers, with the dangerous Tom Ince twice denied after the break.

Fernandez was also aggressive in the air. He dealt with the power of Mounie and made sure the Benin international couldn’t dominate with his back to goal.

Defensive solidity has been a hallmark of the Swans’ revival under manager Carlos Carvalhal. Experienced types such as Fernandez have given the new man the ideal platform to build on.

Defender: Shkodran Mustafi, Arsenal

It’s not often an Arsenal defender makes the team of the week. In fairness to Shkodran Mustafi, the German center-back was an asset at both ends of the pitch during Sunday’s 3-0 win over Watford.

Mustafi reminded everyone of his underrated threat in the opposition box when he headed the Gunners into an early lead from a Mesut Ozil free-kick.

In the process, the former Valencia man brought up a landmark for Arsenal in England’s top flight, per Sky Sports Statto.

Aside from his goal, Mustafi stood up well to the physical presence of Hornets target man Troy Deeney. He competed well in the air, and, for a rare time this season, timed his tackles on the deck flawlessly.

Considering the inexperienced Rob Holding played next to him, Mustafi deserves extra credit for staying stable, solid and commanding.

Next: United 2-1 Liverpool: 3 things we learned

Midfielder: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester

Some may doubt his commitment, but nobody can deny the quality Mahrez possesses. The Algerian wing wizard was at his creative best to dismantle the Baggies.

Flair and vision were obvious in the way Mahrez deftly chipped to help Jamie Vardy net the Foxes’ opener. Next, it was Mahrez who received a chipped pass with a soft touch, before lobbing in a stylish finish.

Style was the word of the day for Mahrez, who glided effortlessly between the midfield and forward lines to lead his markers a merry dance.

This was the kind of performance underlining why Leicester fight so shard to keep their wantaway star. Unfortunately for the Foxes, it was also the type of display sure to encourage bigger clubs to try again.

Midfielder: Kenedy, Newcastle

Securing the loan signing of Kenedy from Chelsea may be the best piece of business Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has done during his time on Tyneside.

The versatile Brazilian was a menace against Southampton on Saturday, scoring twice in a 3-0 win. He took up a position on the left of a central midfield trio, but was never shy about getting forward in support of striker Marcus Gayle.

Ironically, it was Gayle who turned provider for Kenedy’s second goal. It was a tap in for the South American, who had already scored via a fine curling shot inside two minutes.

Pace, direct running, impish flair and goals have been in short supply for the Magpies for most of this campaign. Fortunately, Kenedy has brought all those qualities to bear since arriving at St James’ Park.

Midfielder: Matt Ritchie, Newcastle

Kenedy was the main man for Newcastle, but Matt Ritchie was a close second. The Scottish schemer bagged his side’s third goal to cap a performance littered with examples of creative verve.

Guile is typical of Ritchie, a player who loves to roam the pockets of space between the tip of midfield and the striker. The 28-year-old was everywhere against the Saints, switching flanks and ghosting off the wings into a No. 10 role.

Ritchie seamlessly rotated positions with Kenedy and Ayoze Perez to leave Southampton midfielders and defenders chasing shadows. Newcastle need this level of fluidity every week to increase their output in the final third.

Midfielder: Willian, Chelsea

Chelsea made hard work of their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. The Blues had Willian to thank for adding some star quality to an otherwise drab showing.

As he has done for most of 2018, Willian defined Chelsea’s play going forward. His pace, movement, touch and vision created and exploited every gap in the Eagles’ defence.

The scoring touch hasn’t deserted Willian often lately, and the Brazilian was on the sheet in the 25th minute. He turned Andros Townsend superbly, before benefiting from a deflection off James Tomkins.

Another goal made this Willian’s most prolific season, according to Squawka Football:

His pace and eye for a pass helped Chelsea score a second seven minutes later. A direct run took Willian clear on the left before he lofted a terrific ball for wing-back Davide Zappacosta on the right.

The Italian’s shot deflected in off Martin Kelly to give the Blues all the goals they would need.

Willian wasn’t quite as influential during the second half, but his deliciously arced pass for Olivier Giroud got supporters out of their seats in admiration.

On current form, the Brazilian has overtaken Eden Hazard as Chelsea’s star attraction going forward.

Striker: Marcus Rashford, Manchester United

Rashford made the most of a first start since Boxing Day to put the game out of Liverpool’s reach before halftime. His two goals emphasized the qualities he adds to United’s sometimes pedestrian forward line.

The first is pace, something the 20-year-old has always had in abundance. Another trait essential to Rashford’s game is taking his shots quickly and instinctively.

He did so after racing to meet a header from centre-forward Romelu Lukaku. A deft trick took Rashford around Trent Alexander-Arnold, before the striker lashed a shot across Loris Karius and into the far corner.

Instincts were the reason for Rashford’s second. He anticipated where the ball would break when Juan Mata’s effort was blocked, and was on hand to score with another decisively struck snap shot.

It wasn’t all about goals for Rashford, though, since he also helped double up in wide areas when United didn’t have the ball. Winning the numbers game out wide and forcing Liverpool into central areas was crucial for United’s tactics.

Striker: Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester

His start to life at Leicester had been so slow, you could be forgiven for forgetting Kelechi Iheanacho had joined the club at all. Recently though, the player who arrived from Manchester City  for a fee of £25 million back in the summer has been steadily proving his class.

The Nigeria international was nothing short of a class act as a substitute at the Hawthorns. Entering the game on the hour mark, Iheanacho played a cute chip for Mahrez to give the Foxes a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Quality passes aren’t something usually associated with Iheanacho’s game, but his radar was faultless against the Baggies. Playing almost like a No. 10, the gifted 21-year-old slid an inch-perfect ball in to release Vardy, who nearly added to his tally.

When Leicester netted a third, it was Iheanacho who proved he hadn’t lost his scoring touch. His header had power and angled direction to leave West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster snatching at air.

Iheanacho is doing enough to prove he merits starting more often. His combination with Vardy and Mahrez could be downright scary for the rest of the league.

Next: Ranking every Premier League season

Striker: Chris Wood, Burnley

Iheanacho wasn’t the only substitute who delivered a memorable cameo. Chris Wood proved the catalyst for Burnley’s 3-0 away win over West Ham.

The New Zealand international striker slid in a perfect ball for Ashley Barnes to open the scoring in style on 66 minutes. It prompted ugly scenes as several disgruntled home supporters invaded the pitch in protests aimed at Hammers owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

These incidents may have rattled West Ham, but even a fully focused team would have had trouble containing Burnley’s super sub. Wood scored the visitors’ second when he was on hand to finish coolly after being teed up by Aaron Lennon to cap a fine passage of pass-and-move football in the box.

Wood’s third wasn’t nearly as clean, as he bundled in a rebound after Irons goalkeeper Joe Hart had spilled a shot.

Wood’s reward for his stunning supporting act was to equal a mark last set three years ago, per OptaJoe:

With Wood and Barnes up top, Burnley have the firepower to match their noted defensive excellence.