Premier League Team of the Week: Hazard and Aubameyang feature

Premier League best XI for matchweek 37, featuring Eden Hazard and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Eden Hazard signed off in style in what was likely his last home game as a Chelsea player. The classy No. 10 assisted three goals to beat Watford and help send the Blues into the Champions League.

Chelsea returned to Europe’s top tournament thanks to Arsenal dropping two points in a dismal 1-1 draw at home to Brighton. The Gunners wasted the chance to take the fight for a top-four finish to the final day, despite a fine performance from in-form striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Find out who else makes the latest team of the week:

Goalkeeper: Mark Travers, Bournemouth

Arsenal were still in with a chance of reaching the top four because Bournemouth beat Tottenham 1-0 on Saturday. The Cherries benefited from Spurs being reduced to 10 men after Heung-Min Son and substitute Juan Foyth were both shown red cards.

Their dismissals naturally put Bournemouth on the front foot until Nathan Ake headed in the winner in stoppage time. Before then, though, it was all Tottenham.

The only reason Spurs weren’t out of sight was a commanding display by Mark Travers in the Bournemouth goal. Making the most of his debut, the 19-year-old stopper thwarted all of the visitors’ best forays forward:

Developing young talents such as Lewis Cook and David Brooks has been vital in keeping the Cherries relevant in the top flight. Travers could become another burgeoning gem for manager Eddie Howe.

Defender: Ryan Fredericks, West Ham

Forward-thinking West Ham have found some defensive solidity at the right time in the season. Full-back Ryan Fredericks has been a key factor in the Hammers keeping back-to-back clean sheets.

The 26-year-old was near-flawless during Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Southampton. He tormented the Saints with well-timed raids forward and some useful deliveries from wide areas.

Just as important, Fredericks was stout at the back. He snuffed out Southampton’s attempts to break with pace between the lines and stood up strong to any attempted aerial bombardments:

Following on from excelling during last week’s 1-0 win away to Tottenham, Fredericks is going from strength to strength.

Defender: Christopher Schindler, Huddersfield

Being relegated before leaves returned to trees means not many of your players make a list like this. Yet Huddersfield finally get some representation thanks to Christopher Schindler’s imposing display during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

While the Red Devils were lacking in pace and inspiration, typical of their late-season malaise, it would have taken something truly special to circumnavigate Schindler.

Huddersfield’s towering center-back bullied United forwards in the air, intimidated them in 50-50 duels and took a no-nonsense approach to clearing his lines:

The Terriers may be skulking back to the Championship, but Schindler deserves to be handed a reprieve by another top-flight club.

Defender: Shane Duffy, Brighton

The Gunners deserve criticism for fluffing their lines yet again in the race for fourth. Yet before head coach Unai Emery swings the axe, he must admit his team was undone by a resolute defensive effort from Brighton.

Shane Duffy led the rearguard action with a solid-as-a-rock performance. The 27-year-old was an invaluable last line of defense as Arsenal pressed for a winner late on.

Limiting an attacking quartet comprised of Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to just one goal is no mean feat.

Duffy managed it by throwing himself into challenges, blocking shots and taking decisive action in a way few Arsenal defenders can. Emery would be wise to make Duffy one of his prime transfer targets this summer.

Defender: Seamus Coleman, Everton

Everton have made Goodison Park a fortress recently thanks to a mix of tough defending and midfield artistry. Seamus Coleman maintained the former quality during Friday’s 2-0 win over Burnley, the Toffees’ fourth-straight victory on home soil.

Always an enterprising right-back, Coleman got forward to head Everton into a two-goal lead after 20 minutes. Aside from his goal, Coleman showcased familiar athleticism and aggression to keep the Clarets frustrated in the final third.

The 30-year-old repelled Burnley’s considerable threat on the wings. He kept pace with Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady and never let substitute Dwight McNeil get behind the Everton defense.

Staying strong at the back gives this squad a firm enough foundation to aim for a top-six finish next season.

Midfielder: Ryan Fraser, Bournemouth

Ryan Fraser is the player who makes Howe’s expansive style of play work. The Scotland international winger is the creative fulcrum of a team built to boss possession and be incisive between the lines.

It’s a key responsibility Fraser has accepted and flourished in meeting. He was at his industrious and astute best against Spurs:

One of those pinpoint deliveries found the head of Ake in the game’s decisive moment. It meant a 14th assist in the league for Fraser, further proof his signing was a masterstroke for the Cherries.

Players this prolific at creating chances belong at a higher level.

Midfielder: Eden Hazard, Chelsea

Fraser only had top spot in the assists chart all to himself for a day until Hazard reasserted himself. Chelsea’s attacking talisman was the difference against a Watford team well on top before the Belgian picked out two teammates at the start of the second half.

Hazard’s crosses found Ruben Loftus-Cheek then David Luiz as Chlesea snatched the game away from the Hornets in less than six minutes. In the process, Hazard resumed his place as the division’s chief creative force:

If Hazard does bolt to Real Madrid, as widely expected in the summer, the Blues will become the weak link in next season’s top six.

Midfielder: Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea

Ruben Loftus-Cheek isn’t just a promising youngster with potential anymore. Instead, the 23-year-old is a dynamic talent set to become the fulcrum of Chelsea’s midfield.

Manager Maurizio Sarri needs to encourage the skilled powerhouse to seize his chance and develop into the linchpin a title contender can be built around. Loftus-Cheek offered a hint of the brilliance to come by dominating Watford:

Not many midfielders combine power with flair in this way. Chelsea are going to need Loftus-Cheek’s eye for goal and engine to drive the team forward in a post-Hazard world.

Midfielder: Leander Dendoncker, Wolves

Wolves are the best of those outside of the top six thanks to an embarrassment of riches at the heart of midfield. Fellow Portugal internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho provide ample amounts of guile and technique.

Yet Leander Dendoncker is the bruiser who adds steel alongside the silk. The Anderlecht loanee showcased the more expressive side of his game as a match-winner against Fulham on Saturday:

Keeping Dendoncker won’t be easy for Wolves. Not least because other members of the Premier League are likely to put up a fight for his signature if Anderlecht are willing to sell.

Midfielder: Andros Townsend, Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha usually deserves to hog the headlines for Crystal Palace. Even so, he was upstaged for a rare time during a 3-2 win over Cardiff on Saturday that confirmed the Bluebirds’ relegation.

Townsend wrecked the Cardiff defense with pace and perceptive movement. He routinely ghosted off the flanks into pockets of space between midfield and the back line.

Often noted for a penchant for taking shots early, the 27-year-old proved he has an eye for a pass by picking out Zaha in space to open the scoring.

Of course, it wouldn’t have been a standout Townsend performance without a trademark shot into the top corner from distance.

Zaha is still the main man for the Eagles, but Townsend has more than done his bit to ensure a strong finish to the campaign.

Striker: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal

Not unlike Townsend and Zaha, Aubameyang is often overshadowed by a teammate, namely fellow Arsenal striker Lacazette. Unlike Townsend, Aubameyang’s numbers are actually far superior to those of his club mate.

The 29-year-old added a 20th league goal to his impressive tally by stroking home a penalty against the Seagulls. It’s the latest contribution in a campaign offering proof not only of Aubameyang’s finishing chops, but also his versatility:

Those numbers are hardly a surprise since Aubameyang has been delivering consistently in front of goal since his days with Borussia Dortmund:

Having Aubameyang patrol the final third means Arsenal have one marquee match-winner who is Champions League level. Emery’s task is to build the rest of the team to match him.