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Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week

Sports Mole picks out the 11 most impressive players from the fourth round of 2015-16 Premier League encounters.

Shock results were the order of the weekend, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all tasting defeats.

There were more positive results for Arsenal and Manchester City, while Southampton and West Bromwich Albion claimed their first victories of the new Premier League season.

Aside from that, draws were played out in the encounters at the Villa Park, Dean Court and White Hart Lane.

Here, Sports Mole has looked back over the 10 contests and picked out the best 11 players from the fourth round of matches, as well as the best goal and biggest villain.


Tim Howard (Everton)
The veteran American has not always been a popular inclusion within the starting lineup among Everton supporters over the last couple of seasons, but he rolled back the years at White Hart Lane. In keeping his second Premier League clean sheet of the campaign, Howard made six saves, including two very smart ones to thwart Harry Kane and Ryan Mason.

Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United)
The left-back would probably be the first to admit that he had a bit of a nightmare last time out against Bournemouth, but he certainly atoned at Anfield. Getting forward whenever the opportunity presented itself, Cresswell drove in a low cross that resulted in the first goal. Also of equal importance, he didn't neglect his defensive responsibilities at the other end.
Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace)
Countless centre-backs have been bullied by Diego Costa since the Spaniard arrived in the Premier League last summer, but Delaney was having none of that. His tussle with the Chelsea striker was a key part of Palace's shock victory at Stamford Bridge. The Irishman won numerous physical battles with Costa, as well as dispossessing him with one well-timed slide tackle inside the area during the second half.
Ashley Williams (Swansea City)
There will be those, perhaps quite rightly, that will point to the fact that a combination of Wayne Rooney's lack of pace and confidence allowed Williams to make two last ditch challenges at the Liberty Stadium. Yet, the fact of the matter is that the Swansea centre-back should be credited for not giving up hope when other defenders may very well have done. He also made a highly impressive 15 clearances.
Joel Ward (Crystal Palace)
Quite what Ward was doing in the Chelsea six-yard box to score the winning goal late on, only he knows. Palace won't care, though, as his well-placed header handed Alan Pardew's men all three points. His match-wining impact aside, Ward was a solid influence defensively and was a willing runner when it came to supporting the winger in front of him.

Sadio Mane (Southampton)
With performances like this, the Saints may find it even harder to keep Mane out of Man United's clutches over the next couple of days. It was a slightly erratic start from the Senegalese winger, but once he settled down, Norwich couldn't live with him. He may not have got his name on the scoresheet, yet Mane played a big role in all three of Southampton's goals at the St Mary's Stadium.
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
There is no doubt that the Brazilian midfielder found consistent form hard to come by last term, but he has certainly started the current campaign brightly. He made the points safe with his second goal in four outings, but it was his work out of possession that truly impressed. On the rare occasions that Watford ventured forward, Fernandinho was often on hand to break up play and then send City away on the counter-attack.
Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham United)
A popular figure among the West Ham fans, there are those that believe Kouyate doesn't receive the recognition that he deserves. The scoreline may have been heavily in West Ham's in favour on Merseyside, but the fact that Liverpool had 63% possession highlights just how hard the away side had to work. Few put more effort in than Kouyate, who to use an old cliche, covered every blade of grass for the West Ham cause.
Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United)
As far as Premier League debuts go, it doesn't get much better than this. When Lanzini arrived at Upton Park, few people had heard of the Argentine. Yet, they will all remember his name now following a display that saw him break the deadlock in the third minute with an opportunistic finish. Then, with 29 minutes on the clock, his refusal to give up ended with his side's second goal of the contest.

Andre Ayew (Swansea City)
Considering that the Ghanaian cost Swansea nothing, has a new signing impressed more during the opening four matches? He drew the Swans level against Man United with a perfectly placed header and then had a big say in Bafetimbi Gomis's winning goal. Yes, Sergio Romero should have saved the tame shot, but the pass from Ayew with the outside of his boot was so sublime that it deserved a goal.
Scott Sinclair (Aston Villa)
After far too long sitting on the bench or in the stands during his stint with Man City, Sinclair is starting to look like the player that he was at Swansea. Given his record from the penalty spot, it was no great surprise when he drew Villa level from 12 yards, while the run and finish for his second goal of the game showed good predatory instincts.

Numpty of the week

Steven Whittaker: There were a ridiculous number of red cards brandished in the Premier League this weekend, with many of the offenders in contention to feature here. But, perhaps the daftest of them all was Norwich right-back Whittaker.

Just four minutes after he had been cautioned for trying to stop Southampton's Matt Targett's from taking a quick throw, he was booked again for needlessly hauling back Dusan Tadic when there was very little danger. It meant that his side, who were doing okay at 0-0, had to play for just less than an hour with 10 men.

Goal of the week

Callum Wilson: (Bournemouth) vs. Leicester City: In a weekend where there was no true standout goal that got bums off seats up and down the country, we've opted for Wilson. While his effort was from close range, the ingenuity and athleticism that he displayed to score such an acrobatic effort should be appreciated.

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Premier League Team of the Week
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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