MD9’s Best XI includes Rogers, Palmer, and Van Hecke
Elsewhere, Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the table after a 1-0 win over Liverpool. The Gunners took advantage of Man City suffering their second successive top flight defeat, this time to Brighton.
Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
Bart Verbruggen makes the Team of the Week (TOTW) for the second time this season thanks to an impressive display against Man City.
The Belgian shot-stopper made seven saves throughout the contest to keep Erling Haaland & Co at bay, giving Brighton all three points in the process.
Right-Back: Josh Acheampong
Josh Acheampong is really coming into his own this term and he delivered another fine display at the weekend against Manchester United.
Going forward, he made eight passes into the final third and took three touches in the opposition box.
The 20-year-old also made seven defensive contributions, which included four tackles along with ten recoveries. His place in the TOTW is certainly well deserved.
Centre-Back: Jan Paul van Hecke
The Tottenham defender may have endured a difficult start to life in North London, but he has shone in recent weeks.
Spurs have won three games in a row, with the latest win coming over Crystal Palace. Van Hecke netted the second deep into the second-half, contributing five shots in total during the game, the most of any player.
Not only that, he even recorded the most touches during the game (160) and made a staggering 30 passes into the final third. His ability to move the ball swiftly into the opposition danger zone could prove crucial this term.
As such, Van Hecke’s 9.1 rating is the best in this TOTW, and the Spurs man also makes the grade in our Team of the Month.
Centre-Back: Micky van de Ven
Van de Ven and Van Hecke are starting to form a solid partnership and the former also makes the TOTW for matchday 9.
Like his compatriot, Van de Ven showed plenty of attacking qualities, making 26 passes into the final third while even creating three chances for his teammates.
The defender also won 100% of his ground duels, proving that he is just as difficult to beat in one-on-one scenarios.
Left-Back: Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson is the third Spurs defender to make the TOTW and he looked back to his old self against Palace.
Indeed, he was a menace on the left flank, creating three chances, delivering seven crosses and making seven passes into the final third.
Defensively, he won both of his ground duels and made two tackles in the 2-0 win over the weekend.
Midfield: Julio Enciso
Julio Enciso makes it into the TOTW for the second consecutive matchday following a wonderful display against Hull.
The Paraguayan took the most touches in the opposition box (7), created the most chances (7) and even recorded the highest top speed (34.1km/h) than anyone else on the pitch.
Not to mention he rescued a point for Ipswich by netting a late equaliser against Hull – with his persistance finally paying off having amassed five shots during the game. If he keeps this form up, the Tractor Boys should be safe this term.
Midfield: Roméo Lavia
Lavia’s excellent performance against Man United earnt him a rating of 8.9 for his efforts – the second highest score of the week.
Throughout the game, the midfielder registered the most defensive contributions with 23, including five tackles and 14 recoveries as he helped keep the Red Devils at bay.
With seven out of nine ground duels won, Lavia is a dominant force in the heart of the Chelsea midfield.
Midfield: Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer scored Chelsea’s second goal against United, his first since 9 September.
That penalty against the Old Trafford side was also his 50th Premier League goal for the club. Palmer also created the joint-most chances in the game with three and contributed with 11 defensive involvements.
This is the version of Cole Palmer that Xabi Alonso wants to see every week and he will be hoping the Englishman can kick on from here.
Forward: Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers may have cost northwards of £100m, but he is certainly delivering the goods for the Blues since his summer move.
His opener against Man United was his tenth goal contribution of the campaign and he also created the joint-most chances of the match (3) along with Palmer.
Rogers never stopped running during the tie, covering the a match-high 11.7 km against United.
Elsewhere, he succeeded with two of his three dribbles, made four passes into the penalty area and took seven touches in United’s box in a fine attacking display.
Forward: Oli McBurnie
McBurnie scored for the second Premier League match in a row as Hull drew with Ipswich.
The forward also grabbed an assist during the tie and succeeded with 100% of his dribbles against the Tractor Boys.
At his best, the Scottish forward is a right handful for defenders and he is more than deserving of his spot in the TOTW.
Forward: Jérémy Doku
Man City may have lost against Brighton, but Jérémy Doku was doing everything he could to prevent that.
The winger not only created the most chances (4) during the game, but also took the most chances in the opposition box (14) and completed the most dribbles (9).
He could only manage one shot on target, however, which was saved by Verbruggen. His relentlessness down the left flank gave City plenty of opportunities and that is why he seals a place in the TOTW for matchday nine.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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