Who were the standout performers in the Premier League this weekend? Here are the five men that earned their bibs from a tough and uncompromising JOE selection committee.
On another weekend in which it played second fiddle to matters elsewhere in the sporting world – The Six Nations, the Capital One Cup Final and the beginning of the National Hurling League, for example – it wasn’t a terribly eventful weekend in the Premier League where the status quo was pretty much maintained.
Manchester United remained as champions-in-waiting, City cemented their status as challengers in chief, Arsenal put an awful week behind them to maintain their challenge for the Champions League places and there was only one change in the bottom three as Wigan leapfrogged Aston Villa on goal difference.
Still, there was plenty of great goals and some decent collective displays and after casting our eye over the weekend’s action, we have cobbled together a team that would dish out a trashing or two if they turned up at your local Astroturf pitch this week.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Hart has copped some deserved criticism this season for a few high-profile clangers and probably the most cringe-worthy ad featuring a footballer ever (and that’s saying something), but the outcome of yesterday’s clash with Chelsea could have been a whole lot different if he hadn’t saved Frank Lampard’s penalty in the second half.
Granted, Hart gave away the penalty in the first place and certainly wasn’t the busier of the two ‘keepers on the day, but Lampard’s spot-kick was very well hit and Hart needed to get a very strong hand on it to divert it to safety. A super stop.
Defender: Rafael (Manchester United)
Judging by his performance on Saturday, he has quickly recovered from his chastening experience at the hands of Ronaldo, Ozil et al at the Bernabeu a couple of weeks back.
His unbelievable goal was obviously a high point of his performance, but that aside, he cleared the ball off the line, delivered a sumptuous pass that a limping Robin van Persie nearly converted in the first half, was solid in defence and always offered a threat going forward down the right side.
Hasn’t quite ironed out all the flaws in his game yet but he’s getting there.
Midfield: Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
Failure to beat Aston Villa at the Emirates on Saturday would have been an unmitigated disaster at the end of an awful week for Arsenal, but fortunately for the Gunners, Cazorla had his shooting boots on and said disaster was averted.
His first goal was more about persistence than anything else and he was in the right place at the right time to slot home the second late on, showing a cool head when it was badly needed. Arsenal mightn’t be at the peak of their powers at the moment, but with Cazorla and Wilshere in the side there’s always hope.
Midfield: Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle)
Sunday was ‘French Day’ at St. James’ Park and Sissoko stood out above his countrymen in black and white – of whom there were many – with yet another sterling performance and a goal in a crucial victory over a Southampton side who are proving a very tough nut to crack at present.
Showed great desire to get into position to score Newcastle’s equaliser and was a bundle of energy besides. You’d imagine that his form will taper off at some stage, but Magpies fans are certainly enjoying his recent spell while it lasts.
Forward: Arouna Kone (Wigan)
They’re not always the centre of attention, but the performance of the weekend was probably delivered by Wigan, who brushed aside fellow relegation contenders Reading with an excellent display at the Madjeski Stadium on Saturday,
Reading’s tormentor in chief proved to be Wesley Snipes Demolition Man era lookalike Arouna Kone, who scored two goals of wildly varying quality; bundling home the first with his chest from close range before producing a lovely dinked finish to put Wigan 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time.
Whether Wigan can produce yet another Great Escape this season remains to be seen but their performance on Saturday, and Kone’s individual display, offers hope that they can do it once again.
Anyone we missed? Do let us know below.
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