Chelsea’s liberated playmaker; Bournemouth’s rocks in the back – EPL team of the week

English football columnist Richard Jolly names his Best XI in the Premier League for the December 19-20 weekend. including Chelsea midfielder Pedro and Bournemouth defenders Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels.

Goalkeeper: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace)

Chung-yong Lee clinched victory at Stoke, with a dramatic winner, but Hennessey made it possible, with a string of fine saves.

Right-back: Adam Smith (Bournemouth)

The goalscoring right-back popped up with a second significant goal in Bournemouth’s great run to set them on their way to a win at West Brom.

Centre-back: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)

While his former club Southampton defended in amateurish fashion, Alderweireld showed them what they are missing as Tottenham kept a clean sheet.

Centre-back: James Collins (West Ham)

A no-nonsense defender resisted with typical determination on his return to his native Wales as West Ham earned a point in the stalemate at Swansea.

Left-back: Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth)

Showed how to take a pressure penalty to secure Bournemouth’s third consecutive victory in a dramatic game at the Hawthorns.

Right midfield: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)

Two calmly converted penalties took his tally to 13 league goals this season and earned table-topping Leicester a 3-2 win at Everton.

Centre midfield: Alexander Tettey (Norwich)

Yes, his finish was a toe poke, but it capped an energetic display from the Norwegian and secured Norwich a famous win at Old Trafford.

Centre midfield: Ben Watson (Watford)

One of the quiet success stories of Watford’s season, he helped them dominate the midfield as Liverpool were thrashed at Vicarage Road.

Left midfield: Pedro (Chelsea)

One of many Chelsea players who looked liberated by Jose Mourinho’s departure. The Spaniard scored and starred against Sunderland.

Striker: Cameron Jerome (Norwich City)

A barnstorming run allowed him to open the scoring and set up Norwich’s first win at Old Trafford for 26 years.

Striker: Odion Ighalo (Watford)

The top scorer in English league football in 2015 added another brace after combining superbly with Troy Deeney again against Liverpool.