There was a sense that some normality had returned to the Premier League this week, leaving behind the frenetic and unpredictable goal-fests of the campaign’s opening exchanges.
Just 19 goals were plundered across the 10 top-tier fixtures contested in game week six, after a three-day schedule that saw defensive solidity prioritised over reckless abandon further up the pitch for the first time this season.
Below we take a look back at the players that put in the best individual performances during game week six of the 2020/21 Premier League season in our latest Team of the Week selection.
Find all of our latest betting tips and match previews on our Premier League predictions page.
FST’s Premier League Team of the Week
Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
On an evening that promised so much and delivered so little at Old Trafford, defensive players took centre stage at the Theatre of Dreams in a 0-0 draw between Man Utd and Chelsea. The Blues would have lost however, had summer signing Edouard Mendy not made a string of acrobatic stops, and the Frenchman’s dive to deny Marcus Rashford at the death was incredible.
Defence: Wesley Fofana (Leicester City)
19-year-old Wesley Fofana was composure personified for the Foxes in their smash and grab victory at Arsenal on Sunday. City’s recent acquisition from St. Etienne made a game-high five interceptions from his right sided berth in Leicester’s central defensive trio, and Fofana won 100% of his tackles to help keep the Gunners at bay.
Defence: Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)
Swedish international Victor Lindelof was Man Utd’s star performer in their largely dour 0-0 draw with Chelsea. The 26-year-old hardly put a foot wrong defensively, and Lindelof showed intelligence and drive in possession during numerous surges up the pitch in the second half.
Defence: Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva rolled back the years with a superb performance for Chelsea in Manchester on Saturday, combining front-foot defending with his unparalleled organisational skills to thwart the attack after attack. Silva’s goal-saving block to deny former PSG teammate Edinson Cavani was a match-defining moment.
Midfield: James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
James Ward-Prowse was the Saints’ schemer supreme on Sunday in Southampton’s surprise 2-0 win over early pace setters Everton. The England international played an unbeatable three key passes against the Toffees, and the 25-year-old powered home the game’s deadlock breaking goal in the 27th minute.
Midfield: Declan Rice (West Ham)
West Ham powerhouse Declan Rice was a menacing presence in the Irons midfield in their 1-1 draw at home to Man City on Saturday. The England regular made four interceptions to disrupt the flow of the visitor’s football, and Rice maintained a 100% pass completion rate when in possession himself during a well-round display.
Midfield: Mateusz Klich (Leeds United)
Leeds brought Aston Villa back down to earth with a bump on Friday, and Polish midfielder Mateusz Klich was one of the architects of the Villains’ demise. The 30-year-old popped up everywhere at Villa Park, and Klich, who attempted more tackles than any other player involved (six), also played more passes (61) than any of his Leeds teammates. The Poland international capped his performance with a second half assist.
Midfield: Miguel Almiron (Newcastle)
Miguel Almiron abandoned his attacking endeavours to put in a real shift for Newcastle in the Magpies backs-to-the-wall draw at Wolves on Sunday. The 26-year-old attempted a bone-bruising 13 tackles against Wanderers, eight of which were successful, and the Paraguayan’s gargantuan effort helped Newcastle to snatch a late point.
Attack: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has been a regular fixture in our TOTW selections this season, and the Ivorian attacker earned a spot in this week’s XI thanks to another hugely impactful performance against Fulham. Zaha created one and scored one of the Eagles’ two goals in their 2-1 triumph over the Cottagers during yet another influential showing.
Attack: Patrick Bamford (Leeds United)
Patrick Bamford was Leeds’ hattrick hero on Friday in United’s superb 3-0 win at high-flying Aston Villa. Bamford – who racked up a remarkable nine attempts at Villa Park – brought his haul for the Premier League campaign up to six goals in as many games after his trio of strikes in the Midlands.
Attack: Danny Ings (Southampton)
Usually the chance finisher, Saints’ star Danny Ings turned chance creator on Sunday and the 28-year-old set up both of his team’s goals in their impressive 2-0 win over league leaders Everton. Ings played in James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams for the contest’s decisive efforts in a first-half performance that allowed him to show a different, more innovative side to his character.
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