This weekends Premier League action saw extraordinary performances from teams fighting relegation. Wigan, Bolton and QPR all picked up excellent victories to maintain alive their survival hopes.
On the top of the table, Sunderland took Manchester City to the wire and Newcastle remain level with Chelsea on points as fans and players alike wished Stiliyan Petrov well in his fight against acute leukaemia.
Have a look my Team of the Week and notice in case you believe my picks. Join the talk on Twitter using #BBCFootball
GOALKEEPER - ADAM BOGDAN, BOLTON
Boltons 3-2 victory over Wolves was a giant game for 2 teams who've struggled this season. a mix of great goalkeeping, excellent defending and the woodwork helped produce an outstanding result for Bolton and it was one in every of Adam Bogdans best performances of the season. The Bolton keeper was largely chargeable for keeping his team within the game until referee Jon Moss sealed the fate of Wolves by awarding Mark Davies a penalty when the Bolton player had clearly navigated his way around Roger Johnsons withdrawn leg before going to ground. Bogdan and his team-mates were duly grateful and accepted the gift with open arms.
Do you know- Bogdan has a saves-to-shots ratio of 68.5% within the league this season, higher than Bolton team-mate Jussi Jaaskelainen (62.6%).
DEFENCE - ALEKSANDAR KOLAROV, MANCHESTER CITY
Because the pressure mounts at Manchester City they will need players who can keep their cool stressed. The spat between Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov through the Sunderland game over a free-kick looked as if it would focus the mind of both players. Ballotelli scored a wonder goal and Kolarov earned the purpose with a fantastic strike to equalise and get City out of jail. Theres going to be much more anxiety between now and the tip of the season at City so we're guaranteed more fun and games on the Eithad.
Do you know- Kolarov produced 16 crosses in open play this weekend, just once has a player made more in a Premier League game this season (Matt Jarvis with 17 versus Newcastle in October).
DEFENCE - MIKE WILLIAMSON, NEWCASTLE
Would you think it- I said last week that we pundits are having to take the Magpies seriously and they're now just five points shy of a Champions League place. Newcastles emergence as a top-six force combines nicely with the consistent performances of Mike Williamson. Within the win over Liverpool, he literally played Andy Carroll off the park, with the striker being replaced at the hour mark, much to Carrolls disgust.
Were you aware - Newcastle have won 60% of Premier League games with Williamson playing this season, in comparison to 38% without him.
DEFENCE - ANTOLIN ALCARAZ, WIGAN
The Latics were equally impressive against Stoke as they were the week before against Liverpool. Back-to-back victories have signalled Wigans intent to stick within the division. The performances in their back five were particularly impressive in a game where Roberto Martinezs side were clearly struggling with relegation nerves within the first half. Alcaraz settled those worries when he produced an outstanding header and installation a well-earned victory. Bolton, QPR and Blackburn beware.
Do you know- Since Alcaraz arrived within the Premier League, Wigan have conceded 1.5 goals per game with him playing, in comparison to 2.25 without him.
DEFENCE - BRANISLAV IVANOVIC, CHELSEA
It doesnt matter where he plays in Chelseas back four, Ivanovics contribution to the team is regularly immense. Totally committed to the cause in defence and incredibly dangerous on attacking set plays, his two goals against Aston Villa were a sworn statement to that fact. If Ivanovic and his team-mates keep playing like this the Chelsea hierarchy can have little choice but to present Roberto di Matteo the managers job.
Do you know- Ivanovic is the 1st player to attain two Premier League goals from a whole-back position since Chris Baird versus Stoke in December 2010.
MIDFIELD - VICTOR MOSES, WIGAN
Its official: Wigan have finally replaced Charles NZogbia and far of that praise must visit Roberto Martinez who has done an excellent job with Victor Moses. When he arrived from Crystal Palace he was raw. Not anymore. Moses created chances in a game stuffed with missed ones. Subsequently, he needed to fix the issue himself by scoring a great individual goal and clinching three crucial points. Whether the Latics not sleep or not is debatable. i believe keeping hold of Moses might prove tougher.
Were you aware - Moses has completed more dribbles (75) than the other player within the Premier League this season.
MIDFIELD - STEPHANE SESSEGNON, SUNDERLAND
Ive said it on numerous occasions already this season but Sessegnon is definitely Sunderlands player of the season. In some cases, he terrorised Manchester Citys back four and produced another imperious display of controlled passing. He installation Sebastian Larsson and spread out the title pretenders on numerous occasions and was largely answerable for his teams 3-1 lead. Martin ONeill will do well to hold directly to him next season. Sessegnon is a Manchester United player if ever I saw one.
Were you aware - Sessegnon has scored (seven) or assisted (nine) half Sunderlands last 32 league goals.
MIDFIELD - ADEL TAARABT, QPR
Taarabt needs to be one of the crucial skilful players within the Premier League but in addition probably the most frustrating. A player with enormous ability but who has struggled a number of the big boys within the big league. Against Arsenal, however, he scored a goal worthy of his potential. If Adel can keep his feet at the ground, remain focused and become a team player (a huge ask) then he might fulfil the prospective he craves and save Mark Hughes and his team-mates from a return to the Championship.
Do you know- Taarabt scored for the primary time this season along with his 69th shot, ahead of this hed had more efforts on goal without scoring than any player within the Premier League.
ATTACK - PAPISS CISSE, NEWCASTLE
Four goals in four games tells you all the need arises find out about the shape of the Senegalese striker. Hes proving to be a vast success at Newcastle. His first goal was a perfectly steered header and his second had all of the composure of a veteran. When you think about what the Geordies paid for Cisse and the exorbitant fee Liverpool paid for Andy Carroll it's essential wonder the question: would Kenny Dalglish have paid £35m for Carroll had it been his own money-
Do you know- Cisse became the 13th player to net seven-plus goals in his first seven Premier League games for a club, and the second one to try this for Newcastle after Les Ferdinand (eight goals in his seven).
ATTACK - EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR, TOTTENHAM
How ironic. Spurs are fighting for third spot with their north London rivals and the guy in general to rob Arsenal of a Champions League place is the guy they can not wait to eliminate. Emmanuel Adebayor is calling good again. He went three games without scoring and popped up with two against Swansea. If he keeps this up he could become having the last laugh.
Do you know- Adebayor has scored (four) or assisted (five) nine of Tottenhams last 12 Premier League goals.
ATTACK - MARIO BALOTELLI, MANCHESTER CITY
0 0Just like City boss Roberto Mancini I cant help thinking that my choice of Balotelli is inclined to embarrass me at some stage through the season. Since that could be a chance we're clearly both prepared to take, the Italian features in my team after another performance which went from the sublime to the ridiculous. The sublime was superbly displayed in his two incredibly well-taken goals. The ridiculous is when he insists on conducting a public disagreement with a team-mate over a free-kick. A flawed genius.
Do you know- Balotelli has scored a goal every 94 minutes thisseason, the correct rate within the Premier League for all players who've played a minimum of 1000 minutes.
From WhatNewsToday.net
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