PREM TOTW: FIVE DEFENDERS MAKE THE TEAM AND IT'S A RARE APPEARANCE FROM WEST BROM

Featured Image Credit: The Sun

This weekend’s Premier League action saw a flurry of goals, but it was actually the defenders who were the most impressive.

Surprisingly two West Brom players make an appearance, there was plenty of English talent who impressed and with Spurs winning comfortably, I couldn’t resist not putting a few of Jose Mourinho’s players in this team.

Here is my Premier League GW19 team of the week.

Goalkeeper –

Allison

World class keepers win you games, it’s a simple as that and that’s what Alisson is. Although in this case it was only a point as Liverpool were unable to convert any chances, their Brazilian shot-stopper proved why he’s one of the very best.

In a game which was predominantly dominated by Liverpool it could’ve been a concern that with not much to do, Alisson wouldn’t be on his toes if United got some good opportunities, but luckily for Jurgen Klopp he most-definitely was.

Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba were both denied from close-range by Allison and while it could be argued that had either shot been nearer the corners, the former Roma keeper wouldn’t have got there, the efforts were on target and the saves still had to be made.

Defenders

Joe Rodon

Someone needs to tell Joe Rodon that being this good in only your second Premier League start is simply not fair.

The talented Welsh defender came into the Spurs team in place of Davinson Sanchez to form a back three with Eric Dier and Ben Davies, and while his two centre-half partners have far more experience, Rodon looked like the one who had the most PL games under his belt.

While Spurs were unable to keep a clean sheet, Rodon managed to bail out Dier after he had been outpaced by David McGoldrick.

And Other than that, the 23-year-old had no really noticeable moments which for a defender tends to be a good thing.

Kyle Bartley

It’s fair to say that since their promotion, West Brom have been a tad frail at the back and while they did have some defensive problems in the Black Country derby, Kyle Bartley stepped up with some inspired defending.

Alongside his flick-on header which set up Semi Ajayi for an equaliser early in the second half, Bartley was a wall at the back.

Most notably launching himself in the way of a thumping Wolves effort and then bellowing at his teammates to get forward.

He was a leader all afternoon and his performance alongside Ajayi helped the Baggies to a well-earned three points.

John Stones

In recent weeks John Stones has been defensively superb in a Manchester City shirt and he’s clearly become so good at that he decided to try out his finishing skills against Crystal Palace.

The rejuvenated centre-back rose elegantly to head home a picture-perfect Kevin De Bruyne cross and then reacted like a striker to a loose ball from a City corner to fire home his second.

Before that game, Stones had never found the back of the net in the Premier League for City and in the space of 90 minutes that tally rose by two.

If he continues this form he has to be on that plane for the Euros, and who’d have thought anyone would be saying that this time last year.

Adam Webster

I get the feeling now that every football fan knows that Lewis Dunk is a fantastic defender, but what they may not know is just how good the colossal centre-halves are either side of him.

Dan Burn and Adam Webster were imperious next to Dunk in Brighton’s gritty one-nil victory over Leeds, with the latter particularly impressing.

Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison & Raphinha were limited to scraps by the three central defenders, with Webster not losing one aerial duel, making seven clearances and five ball recoveries, earning the Seagulls a valiant clean sheet and their first win in nine Premier League games.

Luke Shaw

1,278,283 Fantasy Premier League players were left very disappointed as Mohammed Salah, their chosen captain, blanked against Manchester United. However, the Egyptian forward didn’t necessarily have an off day, he just came up against an incredibly in-form Luke Shaw.

Plenty of people have criticised Shaw for his inconsistent performances in recent years for United, but since the arrival of Alex Telles, Shaw has been impenetrable.

The game-plan was pretty simple for United, defend deep and hit Liverpool on the counter-attack, and while Salah had plenty of the ball, Shaw gave him no time at all and no real opportunity to impact the game.

Midfielders

Matheus Pereira

For West Brom to get that win against Wolves, they needed someone who could put the ball in the back of the net so that all of defences hard work wasn’t in vain, and Matheus Pereira was certainly that man.

In both halves Pereira won the battle of wits against Rui Patricio, scoring from the penalty spot twice.

Not only were his goals important but they also replicated his performance as when the Baggies did go forward, Pereira was at he heart of it, elegantly moving round the pitch exactly how he’d become known for in the Championship.

Tanguy Ndombele

Less than a year Tanguy Ndombele was dragged off at half time against Burnley and it seemed as though his Spurs career was over before it even started, but now he’s one of Jose Mourinho’s most trusted players.

Playing in a slightly deeper role to accommodate a back five and a return to the team for Steven Bergwijn, Ndombele made Spurs tick at Brammall Lane.

He was bursting forward through midfield with his powerful dribbling and elegant quick feet and to cap off his afternoon he scored a ridiculous lob with the outside of his right foot.

Youri Tielemans

Leicester’s match against Southampton was poised to be a close affair and it certainly was that, but the Foxes edged their opponents ever so slightly thanks to two simple yet glorious passes from Youri Tielemans which led to goals.

The Belgian midfielder was had a helping hand both Leicester’s two goals over Southampton, his first came with a perfectly-weighted pass to James Maddison which allowed the attacking midfielder to step across his man and fire the ball into the roof of the net.

And then to seal the result, another superbly executed pass into the galloping stride of Harvey Barnes who continued his excellent goal-scoring form to fire Brendan Rodgers side into second.

Mason Mount

Despite the millions worth of attacking talent on the pitch, it was the young lad straight out of Cobham who got Chelsea out of jail against Fulham.

Frank Lampard has played around with his Blues squad in recent months, but a constant mainstay in the starting team is Mason Mount.

The English midfielder had recently admitted he wanted to start scoring more goals and he certainly provided that at Craven Cottage, volleying home a loose ball from just inside the 18-yard-box.

Alongside this, Mount also had the best chance of the first half, striking the bar from close-range.

Attackers

Harry Kane

He’s back.

Unfortunately, very rarely does Harry Kane play badly, and while there were other attackers that scored, none of them put in a more influential performance than the one Kane did at Sheffield United.

The England captain netted Spurs second goal with a sublime curling effort after shrugging off the challenge Chris Basham.

His world class hold up play also allowed him to create four chances and he should’ve had a second but his effort late in the second half flew over Aaron Ramsdale’s cross bar.

Amazingly, the 27-year-old has been able to adapt his game to incorporate opportunities for his teammates, but is still consistently scoring goals.

Manager

Sam Allardyce

He keeps teams in the Premier League, it’s just what he does.

While there are minimal people who enjoy the tactics of Sam Allardyce, you can’t argue with the results and you definitely can’t dispute the win at Wolves was nothing short of superb.

Following some hefty defeats, Allardyce has tinkered with his side a fair amount, but for this game he was allowed the opportunity to bring Kyle Bartley back into the team and hand a first team debut to new signing Robert Snodgrass, both of which proved effective.

As well as this, I’m sure plenty of West Brom fans feared the worst when Willy Boly gave Wolves the lead but the Baggies attacked their Midlands counterparts in the second half and got their just reward, a very needed three points.