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Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week

Sports Mole picks out 11 of the most impressive players from the sixth round of Premier League matches.

Over the opening five weeks of the new Premier League campaign, Manchester City had looked almost unbeatable, to the point where some had started to guess by how big of a margin they would win the title.

Manuel Pellegrini's men were brought back down to earth at the weekend, though, as West Ham United continued their impressive away form with a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Elsewhere, there were victories for Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, Bournemouth and Watford, while draws were played out at Anfield, the Britannia Stadium and the Liberty Stadium.

Here, Sports Mole has reflected on the action to pick out the most impressive 11 players, as well as the best goal and biggest villain.


David de Gea (Manchester United)
Those that wondered where De Gea's head would be after seeing his move to Real Madrid fall through had that question emphatically answered at the St Mary's Stadium. The Spaniard pulled off six saves, which is the most that he has made in a Premier League match since December 2014. One of those - to deny Jose Fonte and keep United 2-1 in front - is likely to go down as one of the best stops this season. The Spaniard also showed great athleticism to thwart Victor Wanyama in stoppage time.

Tyias Browning (Everton)
Jefferson Montero has embarrassed many right-backs so far this term, but not Browning. In for the injured Seamus Coleman, the Everton youngster did a good defensive job on Swansea's Ecuadorian winger. Browning, who was making his full Premier League debut for the Toffees, saw Montero whizz by him with barely a minute on the clock, but he recovered to make numerous challenges in key areas of the pitch.
Winston Reid (West Ham United)
West Ham's pacey attacking players have hogged the headlines recently, but it's important that the contribution of Reid at the back is not overlooked. The New Zealand international seemed to block everything that was thrown his way, including two efforts from Yaya Toure that had goal written all over them. In total, he made 21 clearances in East Manchester, which is four more than any other defender has made this term.
Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Jose Mourinho demonstrated his faith in the young Frenchman by picking him ahead of captain John Terry for the Arsenal clash and he was rewarded by a mature display. One moment in particular vindicated Mourinho's decision when Zouma managed to get back and deny the speedy Theo Walcott as the Arsenal striker bore down on goal - had Terry been on the pitch, the visiting frontman would have almost certainly got a shot away. Add to that the fact that Zouma broke the deadlock and it was a positive outing by the 20-year-old.
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool)
On what was his first Premier League start of the season, the wing-back was arguably Liverpool's biggest attacking threat against Norwich, particularly during the first half. Captain James Milner should have scored from his pinpoint low cross, while the Spaniard himself also called John Ruddy into action. With a display like this, Moreno should have done enough to retain his place in the starting lineup ahead of youngster Joe Gomez.

Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
Having spent much of his Spurs career to date on the right side of midfield, an injury to Ryan Mason meant that Alli was switched to his more natural environment in the centre of the pitch against Palace at White Hart Lane. It was an energetic display from the 19-year-old, who made five tackles at one end of the pitch and then created two chances at the other. The England youth international was also close to getting his name on the scoresheet late on with a low strike that only just missed the target.
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
The Spaniard has been widely criticised for the standard of his displays this term, but he was back to something approaching top form against his former club Arsenal. It's no surprise that when Fabregas plays well, Chelsea produced their best performance of the season to date. Even his dead-ball deliveries had been poor, but his cross for Zouma's goal was perfect.
Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)
The French playmaker is becoming a regular inclusion in this team. With the greatest of respect to West Ham, on current form it seems amazing that a bigger club didn't come in to swoop for his services when it was known that he was leaving Marseille in the summer. Once again at the Etihad Stadium Payet was West Ham's creative force, something that he showed during the away side's first goal of the night.

Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
There is a good chance that Sunderland defender Younes Kaboul will be having nightmares about Wilson for some time. The centre-back was given his marching orders for two fouls on the Bournemouth centre-forward, who was speeding away from him on both occasions. Wilson also got his name on the scoresheet for the fifth time this term. When you consider some of the centre-forwards that have played for England over recent years, it may not be too far fetched to suggest that an international call-up is around the corner.
Odion Ighalo (Watford)
The worry when a free-scoring Championship striker moves up to the Premier League is that they will not be able to replicate that clinical form at the top level. There seems to be no such concerns where Watford's Nigerian frontman is concerned, though, as he notched a brace on Tyneside. He showed great composure both times, particularly for the second goal when he rounded Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul to roll the ball into an empty net.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
The fee that Monaco received for the 19-year-old has been well documented, but it doesn't appear that it's weighing the £36m man down. One thing is for sure, Martial has ice running through his veins when a chance falls his way. Thierry Henry, who Martial has been compared to in recent weeks, would have been proud of the way that he scored his two goals against Southampton. He has also provided some much needed pace to the United frontline, which sees him run in behind defences and stretch the game.


Numpty of the Week

Gabriel Paulista: Whatever your opinion is of Diego Costa's antics, there is one thing that we can all agree on - it's nothing new. He's been a Premier League player for over a year now and it's common knowledge that he thrives on ruffling a few feathers. The key, of course, is to not react to the provocation.

Yet, Arsenal centre-back Gabriel allowed himself to be wound up by Chelsea's centre-forward and he subsequently ended up getting himself red carded during the first half at Stamford Bridge.

Goal of the Week

Matt Ritchie - (Bournemouth) vs. Sunderland: On any other weekend, Man United's 44-pass team goal would have taken this award with flying colours. However, Ritchie's strike was not only the best of the weekend, it could well end up being the best goal this season. Almost 30 yards out, the Scotland midfielder's chest control was perfect, while his left footed volley seemed to be picking up speed as it hit the back of Costel Pantilimon's net.


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Santi Cazorla of Arsenal is shown a red card by referee Mike Dean during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on September 19, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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