After the excitement and frantic nature of Matchday 12, things were a lot more subdued in Gameweek 13 in the Premier League with only 21 goals scored across the weekend. Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal all coasted to comfortable home victories while Michael Carrick’s Manchester United held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
There were plenty of shining displays across the league on Matchday 13, and here is our Man’s Life Premier League Team of the Week.
GK: David de Gea (Manchester United)
David de Gea made some important interventions for Manchester United in the first half against Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi and Reece James to help the Red Devils come away from Stamford Bridge with a point.
RB: Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal)
Takehiro Tomiyasu enjoyed his best game in an Arsenal shirt against Newcastle United at the Emirates, with Japanese international completely nullifying the threat of the dangerous Allan Saint-Maximin before delivering the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk marshalled the Liverpool backline with authority against his former club and thundered home the fourth goal of the night with a clean strike from a corner.
CB: Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Thiago Silva provided another reminder of why he is considered as a Rolls Royce defender, with the Brazilian oozing class as the leader of the Chelsea backline and crucially winning the penalty for the Blues in the second half.
LB: Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
Andy Robertson returned from injury in Liverpool’s 4-0 demolition of Southampton and the Scotsman was back to his best, linking up excellently with Mane down the left wing and creating five chances on the night.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Ilkay Gundogan has become a master of the late-run into the box, and the German midfielder was at it again for Manchester City on Sunday, popping up at the right place at the right time to score the all-important opening goal at the snowy Etihad.
CM: Albert Lokonga (Arsenal)
Albert Sambi Lokonga delivered a midfield masterclass for Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday, pulling the strings for the Gunners in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle. The former Anderlecht captain completed 92% of his 89 passes and created six chances in the match, a game-leading total.
CAM: James Maddison (Leicester City)
It was a magical performance from James Maddison in the snowy conditions at the King Power, with the number 10 opening the scoring for the Foxes and creating seven chances in a comfortable 4-2 victory for Leicester City.
RW: Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Jadon Sancho has endured a tough start to life in Manchester, but the winger scored his first Premier League goal to help the Red Devils earn a crucial point away to Chelsea. Sancho provided plenty of energy and industry without the ball, and produced a composed dummy and finish while 1 on 1 with Edouard Mendy to put United in front.
ST: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
After a run of four scoreless games, Jamie Vardy was back to his vintage best for Leicester City, scoring a brace for the Foxes and giving the Watford centre-back pairing a torrid time throughout the 90 minutes.
LW: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Diogo Jota’s movement with and without the ball caused the Saints backline trouble throughout the match, and the Portuguese was unlucky not to come away from the game with a hat-trick.
Manager of the week: Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Considering the circumstances, Michael Carrick did a terrific job as Manchester United’s caretaker manager to take back a point from Stamford Bridge. Despite missing three of their first-choice defenders, United produced an admirable back to the wall display and frustrated Chelsea with their compact shape.
Shivaan Shah