TT’s Top Men: Santi brings Xmas cheer
After every round of Premier League fixtures, we pick our team of the weekend, explain our selections and then invite you – our loyal army of readers – to pick your team of top men.
We’re looking for the players who caught your eye with dazzling displays or powerful performances on Matchday 17 (December 15-17). You can choose any formation and there’s no limit on how many players you can pick from each team – so have a think, then get involved.
TEAMtalk’s Top Men (3-5-2): Lloris; Lowton, Williams, Vertonghen; Young, Y Toure, Taarabt, Cazorla, Pilkington; Benteke, van Persie.
Hugo Lloris – Tottenham
Lloris is making the most of his chance to show what he can do at Tottenham after putting in an assured display between the sticks in Spurs’ 1-0 win over Swansea. The Frenchman made some brave saves to help the North Londoners to a clean sheet and stave off competition from veteran shot-stopper Brad Friedel, who has found himself on the bench in recent weeks.
Matthew Lowton – Aston Villa
Lowton was an instrumental player for Villa as they claimed a much-needed win at Liverpool, securing a surprise 3-1 success. The defender shone as part of a concrete Villa backline, helping curb the hosts’ attacking threat as he subdued the usually dangerous Raheem Sterling in a composed display which left the teenager frustrated.
Ashley Williams – Swansea
The Swans may have been on the end of a defeat but Williams gave everything for the Welsh side, proving a rock solid presence at the back. A valiant performance from the centre-half saw him make several key clearances and blocks as Spurs were denied a way through up until their late breakthrough.
Jan Vertonghen – Tottenham
Vertonghen continued to establish himself as an influential part of Spurs’ backline following his summer arrival as he produced another fine display against the Swans. The Belgian showed his versatility as he switched to the heart of defence from the left and crowned his showing with the winner 15 minutes from time, popping up to volley home Kyle Walker’s free-kick.
Ashley Young – Manchester United
Young proved a nuisance to Sunderland’s defence at Old Trafford as he continually tried to set up chances for his team-mates and he was rewarded by having a hand in two of United’s three goals as they won 3-1. The winger’s shining moment came when he saw his well-placed cross deflected into Robin van Persie’s path for the opener.
Yaya Toure – Manchester City
Toure ran the show for City in the middle of the park as they overturned Newcastle 3-1 on Tyneside, contributing a diligent performance where he never stopped running. The Ivorian’s pinpoint pass set up Sergio Aguero perfectly for the opener, while he added a goal of his own late on to put the seal on both City’s win and an impressive individual display.
Adel Taarabt – QPR
QPR will be hoping they have hit the turning point of their season after claiming a welcome 2-1 win over Fulham -their first under new manager Harry Redknapp. Taarabt was central to the victory as he netted a crucial second-half brace – prompting Redknapp to compare him to Paolo Di Canio.
Santi Cazorla – Arsenal
The Gunners hit back at their critics with an assured 5-2 victory over Reading which was inspired by Cazorla’s hat-trick. The midfield wizard did early damage in the first half when he scored two goals in as many minutes then followed up his heroics on the hour mark to seal his first triple in an Arsenal shirt.
Anthony Pilkington – Norwich
Pilkington put in another stand-out performance for the Canaries against Wigan as he and fellow forward Wes Hoolahan continue to shine for the in-form club. A brilliantly-taken goal was the crowning moment of Pilkington’s afternoon, while his cross also set up Hoolahan for the second of the 2-1 win.
Christian Benteke – Aston Villa
Benteke was influential to Villa’s surprise win at Liverpool, producing a star turn for the Midlanders as he netted a double, dealing a blow to Darren Bent’s hopes of ending his stint on the bench. The Belgian also provided the assist for Andreas Weimann’s strike with an audacious backheel.
Robin van Persie – Manchester United
Van Persie drew first blood against Sunderland to pave the way for United’s success, slotting home from eight yards out for his 12th goal of the season. He then laid on the home side’s third and final strike, showing superb movement to tee up team-mate Wayne Rooney, who put the gloss on United’s win.