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Premier League Team of the Week - William Saliba, Cole Palmer, Alexander Isak

Sports Mole picks its Team of the Week from the 30th game week of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, including William Saliba, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak.

Manchester City and Arsenal could not be separated in Sunday's title showdown at the Etihad Stadium, with the two teams sharing the points in a goalless draw.

Liverpool are the new leaders in the Premier League table, moving ahead of Arsenal courtesy of a 2-1 success over Brighton & Hove Albion, with Jurgen Klopp's side now two points clear of the second-placed Gunners and three ahead of reigning champions Man City in third.

Saturday's action started with a seven-goal thriller at St James' Park, with Newcastle United beating West Ham United 4-3, and there were then five 3pm kickoffs in England's top flight.

Bournemouth beat Everton 2-1, while Tottenham Hotspur overcame Luton Town by the same scoreline, but the other three games finished level - Burnley holding Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, Sheffield United playing out a 3-3 with Fulham, and Nottingham Forest sharing the points with Crystal Palace in a 1-1 draw.

Aston Villa strengthened their grip on a top-five position with a 2-0 success over Wolverhampton Wanderers later in the day, before Brentford and Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw in West London.

Here, Sports Mole selects its standout XI from the 30th game week of this season's Premier League.


DEFENCE

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa scores with a cross against Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 30, 2024.© Reuters

Arijanet Muric conceded twice in Burnley's clash with Chelsea on Saturday, but the Clarets would not have picked up a point if the 25-year-old had not been in excellent form. Muric made an incredible 11 saves during a standout performance at Stamford Bridge, and he is fully deserving of a spot between the sticks.

There are three defenders in this week's side, including William Saliba, who was outstanding in Arsenal's goalless draw with Man City. The Frenchman kept a certain Erling Haaland extremely quiet, while he made three successful tackles and won two aerial duels during the clash in Manchester.

Ezri Konsa also makes it due to his contribution at both ends for Villa against Wolves. The 26-year-old found the back of the net to double his side's advantage at Villa Park, while he was solid defensively and managed to finish the contest with a pass success rate of 94%.

The final defender in the side is Liverpool's Conor Bradley, who proved to be the standout player on the field against Brighton. The 20-year-old had four successful dribbles and made six tackles at Anfield, while he completed 41 of his 48 passes and had two shots in an all-round performance.


MIDFIELD

Arsenal's Kai Havertz in action with Manchester City's Rodri on March 31, 2024© Reuters

Man City struggled for creation against Arsenal on Sunday, but they were again solid through the spine of their team, and much of that was down to the presence of Rodri. The Spain international boasted a pass success rate of 92%, while he completed six dribbles and won four aerial duels against the Gunners.

Burnley's Josh Cullen also had to be a certainty in this XI considering his performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder came up with his side's equaliser to make it 1-1 early in the second period, before turning provider for Dara O'Shea to head a second for Burnley late on. Cullen completed 31 of his 34 passes in the capital and put in a real shift for the relegation strugglers.

Palace have recently welcomed Eberechi Eze back into their side following injury, and the attacker has come up with a goal and an assist in his last three league outings. Eze was at his best against Forest on Saturday afternoon, setting up Jean-Philippe Mateta to score early on at the City Ground, and he had three shots himself in an all-action performance.

The final spot in the midfield is handed to West Ham's Mohammed Kudus, who did not deserve to be on the losing side on Saturday. The Ghana international came up with a goal and an assist at St James' Park, while he completed six dribbles and won five tackles in the 4-3 loss for David Moyes's side.


ATTACK

Newcastle United's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first goal with Joe Willock on March 30, 2024© Reuters

Alexander Isak scored two penalties in Newcastle'a 4-3 success over West Ham, while he also came up with the assist for Harvey Barnes to make it 3-3 in the 83rd minute. The Sweden international was a constant threat for Newcastle, and the club will do well to keep him on a long-term basis considering his quality.

There also had to be a spot for Cole Palmer, who was again Chelsea's best player. The Englishman scored twice against Burnley on Saturday afternoon, while he had nine shots in total and completed three successful dribbles during an all-action performance; the 21-year-old's form this season in a struggling side has been exceptional.

The lineup is completed by Ben Brereton Diaz, who is on loan at Sheffield United from Villarreal. The 24-year-old was at his best on Saturday, scoring twice and providing an assist in the 3-3 draw with Fulham. Marco Silva's side just could not deal with the forward, who has managed four goals and one assist in his five Premier League appearances for the relegation-threatened Blades.


SPORTS MOLE'S PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK

PL TOTW GW30

Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week (3-4-3): Muric; Bradley, Saliba, Konsa; Eze, Rodri, Cullen, Kudus; Palmer, Isak, Brereton Diaz


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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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