It was a riveting weekend of Premier League action that started with the Mings stamp on Zlatan and featured the bizarre benching of Alexis Sanchez, Harry Kane's golden scoring streak and ended so predictably with Man City hammering Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Here's our team of the weekend.
GK - Artur Boruc
It was like 2007 all over again for the Holy Goalie yesterday at Old Trafford. Boruc stopped a Zlatan penalty and bossed his box to help 10-man Bournemouth get a highly unexpected point away from home lunchtime yesterday. United had more than 20 shots on goal but they couldn't get two past Boruc. Not bad for a 37-year-old.
Typical United. Boruc is not a particularly good goalie but he's having the game of his life. Like he did a couple of times with Celtic.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) March 4, 2017
LB - Martin Olsson
Olsson continued his incredible run of form since joining Swansea from Norwich in January. Olsson scored another huge goal for the Swans as they continue to inch their way out of the relegation mire.
CB - James Tomkins
Crystal Palace required three points from their trip to the Hawthornes yesterday, and they got it in large part to a solid defensive showing from the Palace defence anchored by Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins. Big Sam was effusive in his praise of Tomkins after the match:
"James Tomkins didn't put a foot wrong again and they helped to provide the platform to win the game."
After the match. Palace fans were delighted with JT.
Dear James Tomkins, pic.twitter.com/QDWeoEHpN5
— Jack Pierce (@Jackpierce88) March 4, 2017
CB - Ragnar Klavan
After Liverpool's shitshow at home against Leicester at Anfield last Monday, Klopp opted to reshuffle his deck and brought in the mostly-maligned Estonian Ragnar Klavan for the not-actually-a-centreback Lucas Leiva. Klavan was competent and assured, completely suffocating Olivier Giroud in the game's first half. Things changed a bit when Sanchez came on at halftime as Arsenal pressed to equalise but Liverpool fans can still dream of a Matip-Klavan partnership in the centre of defence, which is very surprising.
Great win last night and great atmosphere!! Need to keep focused now 🔴🔴 pic.twitter.com/7K4qr8HeWo
— Ragnar Klavan (@notreallyklavan) March 5, 2017
RB - Christian Fuchs
Leicester made it two wins from two in the post-Ranieri period with a win over Hull and Fuchs played a vital role in the victory. Fuchs combined brilliantly with Jamie Vardy to score Leicester's first goal and Fuchs has been inspiring for Leicester as they look to salvage some pride after this terrible season.
Very important 3 points! #FoxesNeverQuit 🦊 pic.twitter.com/dT1C6IzAvW
— Christian Fuchs (@FuchsOfficial) March 4, 2017
Yesterday showed why Christian Fuchs is the best Left Back at the club by miles. When he plays like that there aren't many better in the PL
— Dan (@Dan_1884) March 5, 2017
LM - Adam Lallana
Sane was the standout performer for Liverpool last night but Lallana is in this team not just for the ridiculous pass to Origi to set up the Wijnaldum goal that iced the game. His energy and enthusiasm helped Liverpool to a memorable win. He was singled out for praise from Danny Murphy on MOTD last night: “We know he is a good footballer and he is creative, but [for] this part of his game, playing in a central position is so much better for Adam Lallana. He is so much more involved in the game in every aspect.
🎥Interesting comments from Klopp on Adam Lallana's pressing - and the problem when it's done in the wrong situations. pic.twitter.com/3pV3aBSr2W
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) March 5, 2017
CM - Gylfi Sigurdsson
Sigurdsson created five chances yesterday but his heel flick to set up Olsson's goal - his 10th assist of the season - was absolutely world class.
Gylfi Sigurdsson one of the unsung stars of the Premier League. So good to watch. #Swans
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) March 4, 2017
CM - Dusan Tadic
Dusan Tadic has been so good for Southampton these last few weeks, his transfer to Liverpool must be as good as done. Tadic scored a vital goal for Southampton yesterday and assisted on two others. Playing in a more central role, Tadic has forged a very fruitful partnership with Manolo Gabbiadini since his arrival from Napoli, and Tadic has the third-most assists of any Premier League player over the last three seasons.
RM - Nathan Redmond
The still Irish-eligible Southampton player turned in one of his best games of this stellar season when he scored twice during the Saints' entertaining 4-3 away win over Watford. Redmond hadn't scored a league goal since October but the stats showed he deserves a Man of the Match award.
Nathan Redmond vs Watford:
- 55 touches
- 5 successful take-ons
- 5 key passes
- 3 shots
- 2 goals
Man of the Match #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/eA8pS4jwCm— Saint Harris (@LHarrisSFC) March 4, 2017
F - Marko Arnautovic
Arnautovic scored twice in Stoke's 2-0 thrashing of likely-to-be-relegated Boro yesterday and in doing so, entered the pantheon of all-time great Austrian Premier League goalscorers.
21 - No Austrian has scored more @premierleague goals than Marko Arnautovic; 21, level with Paul Scharner. Alpine.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 4, 2017
We cannot vouch for his dress sense, however.
Marko Arnautovic appearing like an extra from Boardwalk Empire on MOTD last night pic.twitter.com/XWaGEV6EaN
— Bob (@Robbie_OR) March 5, 2017
F - Harry Kane
Kane continued his insane run of form by adding two goals as Spurs doled out Everton's first league loss of 2017. Spurs look nailed on for the Top 4 thanks in large part to Kane's goalscoring spree these last few weeks.
There's not many better feelings! 👊⚽️ #COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/YcL0IWYfuU
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 5, 2017
Harry Kane's Premier League record for Spurs since 2014/15:
94 games
65 goals
9 assists
4 hat-tricks
You're a wizard, Harry. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/US8wo5XSoE— Squawka (@Squawka) March 5, 2017
The only thing powerful enough to put a stop to Harry Kanes form.. an English jersey
— Evan McMillan (@EvanMcMillan2) March 5, 2017
