Premier League Team of the Week: Aguero and Jimenez lead the way

Here’s the Premier League best XI for matchweek 23, led by Sergio Aguero and Raul Jimenez.

Sergio Aguero isn’t resting on his laurels after setting a pair of Premier League records in Week 22 of the 2019-20 season. Aguero followed those landmarks with two more classy goals on Saturday, but he couldn’t prevent Manchester City from dropping points during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Another two-goal striker, Wolves’ frontman Raul Jimenez, earned greater reward for his efforts. A brace from Jimenez helped Wolves come back from 2-0 down to beat in-form Southampton 3-2.

Find out who else joins Jimenez and Aguero in the latest team of the week:

Goalkeeper: Paulo Gazzaniga, Tottenham

A third 1-0 defeat in a row in the league appeared inevitable for Tottenham when Watford won a penalty 20 minutes from time. Skipper Troy Deeney stepped up confidently at Vicarage Road, but he was soon left aghast after Paulo Gazzaniga had guessed the right way and palmed his effort clear.

https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1218533351486906369

It was the signature contribution of a steady display from Gazzaniga. Hugo Lloris’ stand-in doesn’t always inspire confidence, but Gazzaniga stood tall against Watford pressure.

He was brave in the air and made smart decisions about when to come off his line and collect crosses. The 28-year-old also had his angles right to close down space in one vs. one shooting situations.

Spurs are woefully lacking firepower with Harry Kane on the shelf, but Gazzaniga is at least helping steady a leaky defense.

Defender: Gary Cahill, Crystal Palace

Palace couldn’t keep Aguero quiet all game, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The Eagles produced another masterclass in how to frustrate City at the Etihad Stadium, thanks largely to Gary Cahill’s performance.

A smart free-transfer pickup during the summer, the 34-year-old Cahill held together a back four that denied City space between the lines. His experience meant there were no obvious gaps for Kevin De Bruyne to exploit with through passes.

As solid as he was at the back, Cahill’s true value was at the other end of the pitch. He was a menace in the City box, bossing a fragile defense in the air.

His towering header helped tee up Cenk Tosun’s opener. It wasn’t the last time Cahill would cause havoc in the City box.

This was a special performance from a veteran who has proved he still has a lot left to offer at this level.

Defender: Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle

Keeping Chelsea’s young charges without a goal required a tremendous effort from Newcastle. Fortunately for the Magpies, Jamaal Lascelles was in a formidable mood at St. James’ Park.

The beefy center-back bullied Chelsea’s prolific No. 9 Tammy Abraham in the air. Lascelles also stayed quick and alert on the deck, frequently making timely interceptions to cut out passes played between the lines.

His smart positioning denied space for the Blues’ many runners from midfield to get into dangerous positions around Abraham. This was the kind of performance that has marked 26-year-old Lascelles out as a natural leader and the focal point underpinning Steve Bruce’s team.

Defender: Mason Holgate, Everton

Mason Holgate returns to the best XI for a second week in a row after another assured display. He was the standout figure along an Everton back line put under significant pressure by a resurgent West Ham.

The Hammers peppered the Everton goal with a barrage of crosses. Going direct gave towering target man Sebastien Haller plenty of chances in the air.

Fortunately, Holgate competed well in the aerial duels. He was also calm and thoughtful in possession, regularly getting the Toffees moving forward with smart distribution.

Holgate’s quality on the ball yielded an assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser. It ensured a 1-1 draw and a 10th point from a possible 15 since Carlo Ancelotti took charge.

Midfielder: Jack Grealish, Aston Villa

If Aston Villa manage to avoid relegation it will be solely down to the brilliance of Jack Grealish. The classy No. 10 was once again the best player on the pitch when Villa earned a useful point on Saturday.

Grealish had done his best to leave Brighton defenders chasing shadows by embarking on a series of mazy runs and trying to pick the right passes. Yet the Seagulls still held a 1-0 lead with 15 minutes remaining, before Grealish opted for a more direct route to goal.

His deft first touch and powerful shot showcased the confidence of a player producing his best performances:

https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1218655805697712128

The goal also underlined Villa’s reliance on the maverick maestro, who will surely be the target of the division’s big names during the summer:

https://twitter.com/StatmanDave/status/1218574735111598081

Villa will hope Grealish signs off by ensuring another top-flight season for the club before the money men come calling.

Midfielder: Etienne Capoue, Watford

When Nigel Pearson moved Abdoulaye Doucoure into a No. 10 role, Etienne Capoue lost his natural partner at the heart of Watford’s midfield. Rather than let the change harm his performances, Capoue is going from strength to strength as the anchor in the engine room.

The Frenchman was a terrier against Spurs. He timed his tackled well, made key blocks and rarely gave Tottenham playmaker Dele Alli a moment of peace.

Alli was eventually subbed off after 73 minutes, a reflection of how well Capoue had kept him under wraps. Capoue was a nuisance off the ball, but he also exuded quality on it, using neat distribution to maintain the Hornets’ threat.

Watford have become tougher to beat since Nigel Pearson took over, and Capoue’s renaissance is a major reason why.

Midfielder: John Fleck, Sheffield United

John Fleck is getting used to the weekly roll call after yet another terrific display for Sheffield United. Fleck’s 83rd-minute equalizer earned the Blades a point from a 1-1 draw away to Arsenal.

The stylish finish highlighted the growing confidence of a player enjoying a career-best campaign in front of goal:

https://twitter.com/SheffieldUnited/status/1218654044002058242

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1218574996118888448

As well as his goal, Fleck helped the visitors own the ball at the Emirates Stadium. His ingenuity and technique, along with the industry and intelligence of Oliver Norwood, ensured the Blades always carried a credible threat.

The performances of Fleck and Co. are no longer a surprise. This group is potentially bound for Europe because of genuine quality in the ranks.

Midfielder: Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal

Arsenal are still seeking identity and consistency on Mikel Arteta’s watch. The Spaniard has won just one of five league games in charge, but he has coaxed encouraging performances from previously struggling players.

Nicolas Pepe is one of those who has looked refreshed under Arteta. The winger was arguably the best player on the pitch on Saturday, tormenting the Blades with pace and trickery.

Pepe also showcased a keen eye for a pass. The Gunners’ record signing twice teed up Gabriel Martinelli with pinpoint crosses, only for the 18-year-old to fluff his lines.

Martinelli did eventually put Arsenal in front, but the hosts had a chance to move out of sight when Pepe drew a foul in the box five minutes after the restart.

No penalty was forthcoming, despite a lengthy VAR review of Jack O’Connell’s challenge. Even so, the incident underlined Pepe’s ability to conjure something out of nothing.

His improvement during the second half of the season will be vital for an Arsenal side lacking inspiration.

Striker: Cenk Tosun, Crystal Palace

Tosun always seemed to be misused by Everton. The Toffees rarely appreciated the qualities of a versatile forward who had been a proven goalscorer for Besiktas.

Tosun’s unfulfilled potential in the Premier League made his loan switch to Palace earlier this month a shrewd move. The Turkey international wasted no time showing what he can do by heading in Palace’s first goal against City.

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1218563343746764803

Tosun continued to trouble the Citizens after his goal. His movement was subtle, while he proved he has the strength to play with his back to defenders and hold the ball up.

He will be judged on goals, though, and Tosun was unfortunate not to get another after he superbly controlled Wilfried Zaha’s pass and stung Ederson’s palms.

Showing more faith in Tosun will end longstanding striker issues for goal-shy Palace.

Striker: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City

The abiding image of Aguero for many is a slalom run followed by a thumping shot into the top corner from a tight angle. Yet while he’s scored his share of spectacular goals, the Argentinian has always done more damage closer in.

Aguero comes alive in the box, with his timing and instincts in tight spaces the true keys to his success. He was unerring in the area against Palace, producing two penalty-box specials.

The first came when he glided unseen between two defenders to apply a deft and telling touch to a fine cross from Gabriel Jesus. Aguero’s second goal relied on him getting away from the impressive Cahill long enough to guide in a downward header:

It was the finish of a master marksman who remains the one player City can ill afford to be without for long.

Striker: Raul Jimenez, Wolves

Securing Raul Jimenez on loan, then stumping up the cash to make his move from Benfica a permanent one remain the two best decisions Wolves have made in recent years.

The Mexico international is arguably the most well-rounded striker in the league. His hold-up play, vision and flair create a host of chances and goals for a team geared to strike on the break.

Yet as creative as Jimenez is, his own scoring record remains the defining feature of his game. He took both goals brilliantly against the Saints, coolly rolling in a penalty, before sweeping an emphatic finish into the bottom corner to win it.

In the process, Jimenez set a club record:

https://twitter.com/WilliamHill/status/1218858306686607360

It’s a fitting accolade for the main reason Wolves have outperformed expectations in the division.