• Goalkeeper: Christian Walton (Wigan) – Made two brilliant saves from Manolo Gabbiadini, including one from a penalty, and did not deserve to finish on the losing side. Alex Livesey / Getty Images
    Goalkeeper: Christian Walton (Wigan) – Made two brilliant saves from Manolo Gabbiadini, including one from a penalty, and did not deserve to finish on the losing side. Alex Livesey / Getty Images
  • Right-back: Cedric Soares (Southampton) – Scored his first Saints goal to seal victory at Wigan, even if new manager Mark Hughes was bemused he was so far forward. Alex Livesey / Getty Images
    Right-back: Cedric Soares (Southampton) – Scored his first Saints goal to seal victory at Wigan, even if new manager Mark Hughes was bemused he was so far forward. Alex Livesey / Getty Images
  • Centre-back: James Tomkins (Crystal Palace) – Set Palace on their way to a much-needed victory at Huddersfield. Also helped them keep a clean sheet. Tony Marshall / Getty Images
    Centre-back: James Tomkins (Crystal Palace) – Set Palace on their way to a much-needed victory at Huddersfield. Also helped them keep a clean sheet. Tony Marshall / Getty Images
  • Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) – Kept Swansea’s forwards quiet as Spurs cruised to victory in Wales to set up an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United. Andrew Couldridge / Reuters
    Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) – Kept Swansea’s forwards quiet as Spurs cruised to victory in Wales to set up an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United. Andrew Couldridge / Reuters
  • Left-back: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) – A cross for one of Mohamed Salah’s quartet of goals against Watford illustrated what a threat he is going forward. Phil Noble / Reuters
    Left-back: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) – A cross for one of Mohamed Salah’s quartet of goals against Watford illustrated what a threat he is going forward. Phil Noble / Reuters
  • Right midfield: Jordon Ibe (Bournemouth) – Scored in the comeback victory against West Brom that took Bournemouth to 36 points and the brink of safety. Peter Nicholls / Reuters
    Right midfield: Jordon Ibe (Bournemouth) – Scored in the comeback victory against West Brom that took Bournemouth to 36 points and the brink of safety. Peter Nicholls / Reuters
  • Centre midfield: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) – Capped an all-action display against his old club Leicester by providing the cross for Pedro’s extra-time winner. Michael Regan / Getty Images
    Centre midfield: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) – Capped an all-action display against his old club Leicester by providing the cross for Pedro’s extra-time winner. Michael Regan / Getty Images
  • Centre midfield: Nemanja Matic (Manchester United) – Scored one goal, made another and was the only United player praised by Jose Mourinho after the win over Brighton. Alex Livesey / Getty Images
    Centre midfield: Nemanja Matic (Manchester United) – Scored one goal, made another and was the only United player praised by Jose Mourinho after the win over Brighton. Alex Livesey / Getty Images
  • Left midfield: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) – A masterclass. Scored twice, hit the bar and set up a disallowed goal as Swansea could not contain him. Andrew Couldridge / Reuters
    Left midfield: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) – A masterclass. Scored twice, hit the bar and set up a disallowed goal as Swansea could not contain him. Andrew Couldridge / Reuters
  • Striker: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Invited comparisons to Lionel Messi after scoring four goals and setting up the other for Roberto Firmino in the demolition of Watford. Lee Smith / Reuters
    Striker: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Invited comparisons to Lionel Messi after scoring four goals and setting up the other for Roberto Firmino in the demolition of Watford. Lee Smith / Reuters
  • Striker: Cenk Tosun (Everton) – A match-winning brace at Stoke booked Everton’s place in the Premier League next year. Coming good after a slow start. Ed Sykes / Reuters
    Striker: Cenk Tosun (Everton) – A match-winning brace at Stoke booked Everton’s place in the Premier League next year. Coming good after a slow start. Ed Sykes / Reuters

Football

Team of the week: Superb Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's own Lionel Messi

Scroll left/right on your browser to see who makes Richard Jolly's best XI

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly
Greater Manchester, England

March 19, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

A mixed bag of FA Cup heroes and Premier League punishers make the best XI from England this week.

Christian Walton's heroics against Southampton deserved more than finishing on the losing side. The Wigan Athletic goalkeeper denied Manolo Gabbiadini from the spot and also denied the Italian striker with another brilliant save but it was all in vain as the Premier League club sealed their place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win.

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante capped an all-action display against his old club Leicester City by providing the cross for Pedro's extra-time winner. They meet Southampton next month for a place in the FA Cup final.

Nemanja Matic scored one goal, made another and was the only Manchester United player praised by Jose Mourinho after their FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion to set up a last-four clash with Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen put on a masterclass in the 3-0 win over Swansea City, scoring twice and denied a rare treble only by the frame of the goal.

In the Premier League, the weekend belonged to one player.

Mohamed Salah invited comparisons to Lionel Messi after scoring four goals and setting up the other for Roberto Firmino in the demolition of Watford.

Meanwhile, Cenk Tosun's match-winning double at Stoke City booked Everton’s place in the Premier League next year. The Turkey striker looks to be coming good after a slow start to life in England.

______________

Read more:

Ian Hawkey: Mohamed Salah's form for Liverpool will make Russia nervous ahead of 2018 World Cup clash with Egypt

Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp backs Mohamed Salah to feature in the player awards list

In Salah's hometown not everyone supports Liverpool, but everyone roots for him

______________

Jurgen KloppMohamed SalahTottenham HotspurJose Mourinho