The team of the week February 04 2008
Round 25 of the Premier League took place on the weekend and we pick out an entire team of star performers.
Goalkeeper:
Jussi Jaaskelainen - Bolton
The Finn has suffered from a dip in form this season but looked back to his best as he produced some fine saves to earn the Trotters a much needed away win - their first in ten months. He even proved instrumental in setting up Bolton's first goal.
Defenders:
Alan Hutton - Tottenham
Juande Ramos' defensive revolution appears to be nearing fruition as the new recruit proved that he was fully up to the task of dealing with Manchester United's fearsome attacking prowess. The Scot showed pace and the awareness that has been so sorely lacking for Spurs all season.
Jonathan Woodgate - Tottenham
Woody's class has never been in doubt and, alongside Ledley King, Spurs may finally have hit on a winning formula in the centre of defence. It's a pity that both of them are made of glass and are unlikely to play more than three games on the trot. If Woodgate stays fit - and that's a massive if - Spurs could still be in line for a European spot come the end of the season.
Joleon Lescott - Everton
As anybody worth their salt at Fantasy Football knows, Lescott is worth his weight in gold. Not only is he instrumental in keeping the Toffees' defence very stingy, but he is that rarest of things - a defender who can be relied on to score goals. He may not have found the net against Blackburn on the weekend, but yet another clean sheet attests to his international credentials.
Bacary Sagna - Arsenal
Sagna has been many pundits' signing of the season. As lethal in attack as he is solid in defence, the Gunners look incredibly dangerous when the Frenchman goes on one of his overlapping runs, acting like an extra winger as much as a defender. He was instrumental in setting up the first goal against Manchester City.
Midfield:
Joe Cole - Chelsea
Forget the Lampard/Gerrard debate, Joe Cole is the best English midfielder at the moment. His trickery, ability to spot a pass and eye for goal have been essential in keeping a depleted Chelsea side competitive and he showed his worth again on the weekend when he proved instrumental in setting up Nicolas Anelka for what proved to be a crucial goal.
Jimmy Bullard - Fulham
The man with the seventies rockstar hair is back and what a return. Not only did he score one of the best free-kicks we're likely to see all season, but Fulham looked an entirely different prospect upon his return. Manager Roy Hodgson was perfectly right to claim that Bullard just might be what stands between the Cottagers and relegation this season.
Lassana Diarra - Portsmouth
One has to wonder why Arsenal chose to keep a player like Abou Diaby when someone as good as Diarra was let go. He also showed previous side Chelsea what they're missing on the weekend as his pace, vision and bustling energy had the Blues midfield chasing shadows. He may prove to be the best signing of the January transfer window but, sadly for Pompey fans, will be on his way in the summer at the first offer from a 'big' club.
Jermaine Jenas - Tottenham
Whatever Juande Ramos has been feeding the previously erratic midfielder is working as he has been in spectacular form of late. Jenas used to go missing for lengthy spells during crucial points in the game but that habit seems a thing of the past. He provides Spurs with some much-needed creativity in midfield and was instrumental in their goal against Manchester United.
Strikers:
Emmanuel Adebayor - Arsenal
The Togolese forward has been a revelation since stepping out of Thierry Henry's shadow. He is currently the Premier League's second highest scorer and has found the net nine times in his last six outings. Sheyi scored two and set up one as Arsenal moved two points clear at the top of the table by beating Manchester City at home. Adebayor has it all - pace, power, creativity and an eye for goal. If the Gunners win the title this season it will be largely thanks to his ability to score no matter what the occasion.
Jermain Defoe - Portsmouth
Defoe makes the team not so much for the quality of his play as the fact that he scored on debut after a last-minute transfer deal that looked dead in the water. His goalscoring ability has never really been doubted and there's every chance that the Pompey style might suit him better than Spurs'. He also managed to cap off a dream weekend with a call-up for Fabio Capello's first England squad.