As featured on NewsNow: Football news

TRIBAL TEAM OF THE WEEK: Martial impresses at Man Utd, Payet on point for West Ham as Naismith and Stones shine for Everton

Week 5 of the 2015/16 Premier League season has been and gone and so have some top individual performances.


Despite a loss, Stoke City keeper Jack Butland finds himself in the elite XI while Leicester City hotshot Riyad Mahrez gets yet another nod for masterminding his side's stunning comeback against Aston Villa.

Anthony Martial made an immediate impression at Manchester United as Steven Naismith destroyed the reigning champions with a match-winning hat-trick for Everton.


TRIBAL TEAM OF THE WEEK - 5


Goalkeeper


Jack Butland (Stoke City)

It's not often a goalkeeper concedes two goals and still finds himself in our team of the week, but Arsenal may well have racked up a cricket score had it not been for Jack Butland at the weekend. The Potters shot-stopper produced a string of sensational saves as Stoke went down 2-0 at the Emirates, including an absolute cracker to deny Alexis Sanchez.

Defenders


Matteo Darmian (Manchester United)

For all of the big name signings United made in the summer, it will most likely be Darmian who makes the biggest impact at Old Trafford this season. The spirited Italian resembles the Energizer Bunny with his all-action displays up the right hand side. Had another great game against Liverpool.


John Stones (Everton)

Boy, what Jose would have done to have this guy playing on his team at the weekend. Stones was at his composed best at the back as Everton dismantled the champions.


Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)

A regular in this article, Kompany was in fine fettle as City managed to contain a Crystal Palace side which will score goals this season. City maintained their perfect record with a late winner, but they largely have this guy to thank for the 0 goals in the 'conceded' column.


Richie De Laet (Leicester City)

The man who looks suspiciously like Ned Schneebly from 'The School of Rock' endured a tough first half, but came back strong to find the back of the net as Leicester recorded a sensational come from behind victory over Aston Villa.


Midfielders


Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

The man of the moment was at it again on the weekend, playing a part in all three goals as the Foxes continued their remarkable start to the season. This guy not winning the Premier League Player of the Month award last month will go down as one of the great mysteries of our time.


Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)

Scored a beauty in the first half and then calmly slotted in another as West Ham rolled Newcastle 2-0. Payet is a key part of the Revolution that is happening at Upton Park at the moment.


Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

Received Arsenal's man-of-the-match award after setting up Walcott's opener in the win against Stoke. Much-maligned in his two years in North London, the German has been one of the Gunners' best so far this season, and has added tackling and tracking back as features to his game. Made 57 of 58 passes at the weekend.


Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City)

Scored in the Canaries' win over Bournemouth, and performed a wicked bit of skill to set up Cameron Jerome for the game's opener. Hoolahan was still holding his shinpad from a prior tackle when he received the ball, deceived Adam Smith before passing to Jerome.


Forwards


Steven Naismith (Everton)

Who else? Naismith had scored in the last two matches at Goodison Park between Chelsea and Everton going into the weekend, but could have been forgiven for taking a nap when Roberto Martinez left him out of the starting line-up for the match against the champions. Muhamed Besic's injury gave Naismith something to do, and the Scot produced the best performance of his career by scoring a 'perfect' hat-trick (one with his left, one with his right and another with his head) as the Toffees continued Chelsea's woes. The performance of the week without question.


Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

Well, we sort of have to include this guy, don't we? Introduced himself to the Old Trafford faithful with a stunning goal on debut, against United's biggest rivals. Suddenly THAT fee doesn't seem all that large.


Manager


Roberto Martinez (Everton)

Oversaw the dismantling of a Chelsea side that is admittedly low on confidence, but still with a squad full of talent. Everton are performing in the early part of the season, which can be accredited to their manager playing hardball in the transfer window. Can we credit the Naismith substitution as a masterstroke too?

Video of the day:

Tim McGlone
About the author

Tim McGlone

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free