Monday 23rd November 2009

Premier League Team of the Week 05
Kelvin Leong applauds the dazzling Tottenham duo of Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon in his Premier League Team of the Week.
What a weekend! 9-1 at White Hart Lane with Jermain Defoe netting five goals.
What made it even more spectacular for the England striker was that he did it all in 45 minutes of play.
If there was a weekend which should be used to promote the Premier League, it would have been this one.
Here are the eleven players who thrilled the fans with their fantastic play.
Martin Fulop - Sunderland
Had it not been for Fulop's fifth minute save from Tomas Rosicky, the visiting Gunners could have taken the lead. Was in inspiring form for the full 90 minutes as he repelled everything Arsenal threw at him.
Patrice Evra - Manchester United
Easily the best player on the pitch at Old Trafford. He tortured Lucas Neill down the left wing and at times seemed to be playing the role of a winger rather than a defender. Put in a handful of pin-point crosses that troubled the Everton back-line throughout the game.
Steven Caldwell - Burnley
Owen Coyle's team were widely tipped to head back down into the Championship but script seems to have taken a different direction in recent weeks. A huge part of it is down to the defenders like Caldwell who are scraping beyond their skin to slug it out with the Premiership's finest. Caldwell's goal against Aston Villa gave Burnley a crucial point. Job well done.
Wes Brown - Manchester United
The injury-plagued Englishman has come back at the right time. With Rio Ferdinand's loss of form and injury worries, Brown has formed a solid partnership alongside the reliable Nemanja Vidic. Even found time at the weekend to join his team in the offensive half. Slowly getting back to his best.
Michael Essien - Chelsea
Netted a brace against a woeful Wolverhampton side to help Chelsea maintain their lead at the top. Starting to overshadow Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard as the best midfielder in Carlo Ancelotti's renowned ‘diamond formation'.
David Dunn - Blackburn Rovers
After so many seasons of heartache and failure, Dunn has finally shown up. His creativity and mobility this season have been one of the highlights of the Premier League. Great goal to sent Blackburn on their way.
Aaron Lennon - Tottenham
Three assists and full-house standing ovation for Lennon at White Hart Lane. Easily the best game from a winger in the top flight this season. Absolutely amazing. Oh, and not to mention he even got his name on the scoresheet. Vamos!
Nigel De Jong - Manchester City
The Dutch midfield general stood up to the test as he outmuscled and outplayed Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva at Anfield. Nothing got past him and his passing was short and crisp. Tidy performance that left the Liverpool players with another frustrating day at the office.
Darren Fletcher - Manchester United
We all know that the Scotsman can rough it out and come out winning but it was his moment of sheer brilliance to give United the lead against Everton that got the fans talking. Sublime skill as he smashed an absolute gem beyond Tim Howard's reach.
Darren Bent - Sunderland
Bent's name is already on the list for player of the season with his impressive form in front of goal since joining the Black Cats. Showed his class with the winner against Arsene Wenger's Gunners on Saturday to further enhance his chances of making it to the 2010 World Cup with England.
Jermain Defoe - Tottenham
What a game! Five goals in 45 minutes from the Spurs' hitman. Each goal he scored against Wigan demonstrated different parts of his game which will be crucial for Fabio Capello if he wants to win the World Cup in South Africa. If he keeps up this incredible strike-rate till the end of the season, he might even be given a starting role for the Three Lions.



