• Goalkeeper: Ben Foster (Watford) – Made eight saves and kept a clean sheet as Watford defeated his former club Manchester United for Nigel Pearson’s first victory. Reuters
    Goalkeeper: Ben Foster (Watford) – Made eight saves and kept a clean sheet as Watford defeated his former club Manchester United for Nigel Pearson’s first victory. Reuters
  • Right-back: Matt Doherty (Wolves) – The Irishman was involved in the start and the end of the move that brought Raul Jimenez’s winner at Norwich and which completed a comeback. AFP
    Right-back: Matt Doherty (Wolves) – The Irishman was involved in the start and the end of the move that brought Raul Jimenez’s winner at Norwich and which completed a comeback. AFP
  • Centre-back: Chris Basham (Sheffield United) – United’s intrepid travellers remain unbeaten on the road and Basham excelled in the defence who helped defeat Brighton. Reuters
    Centre-back: Chris Basham (Sheffield United) – United’s intrepid travellers remain unbeaten on the road and Basham excelled in the defence who helped defeat Brighton. Reuters
  • Centre-back: Ben Mee (Burnley) – The captain was a rock at the back as Burnley subdued Bournemouth before Jay Rodriguez pilfered a late winner for the Clarets. Reuters
    Centre-back: Ben Mee (Burnley) – The captain was a rock at the back as Burnley subdued Bournemouth before Jay Rodriguez pilfered a late winner for the Clarets. Reuters
  • Left-back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) – A surprise selection who justified his choice. Won a penalty against Tottenham and was terrific both going forward and defensively. Reuters
    Left-back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) – A surprise selection who justified his choice. Won a penalty against Tottenham and was terrific both going forward and defensively. Reuters
  • Right midfield: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) – Produced one of his best displays for City as he scored the equaliser against his old club Leicester and tormented Ben Chilwell. Reuters
    Right midfield: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) – Produced one of his best displays for City as he scored the equaliser against his old club Leicester and tormented Ben Chilwell. Reuters
  • Centre midfield: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) – Astonishingly good against Arsenal and equally excellent against Leicester. His passing was exceptional, his running dynamic. AFP
    Centre midfield: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) – Astonishingly good against Arsenal and equally excellent against Leicester. His passing was exceptional, his running dynamic. AFP
  • Centre midfield: Miguel Almiron (Newcastle) – After 27 games, 46 shots and 2190 minutes of football, the Paraguayan finally got his first Newcastle goal to defeat Crystal Palace. Reuters
    Centre midfield: Miguel Almiron (Newcastle) – After 27 games, 46 shots and 2190 minutes of football, the Paraguayan finally got his first Newcastle goal to defeat Crystal Palace. Reuters
  • Left midfield: Willian (Chelsea) – Two well-taken goals, some brilliant skill and some wonderful passing as he inspired Chelsea to a derby victory over Tottenham. Reuters
    Left midfield: Willian (Chelsea) – Two well-taken goals, some brilliant skill and some wonderful passing as he inspired Chelsea to a derby victory over Tottenham. Reuters
  • Striker: Ismaila Sarr (Watford) – Showed why Watford made him their record signing, scoring, albeit aided by a goalkeeping error, and winning a penalty against Manchester United. Reuters
    Striker: Ismaila Sarr (Watford) – Showed why Watford made him their record signing, scoring, albeit aided by a goalkeeping error, and winning a penalty against Manchester United. Reuters
  • Striker: Danny Ings (Southampton) – His brace defeated Aston Villa, lifted Southampton out of the bottom three and made him the joint second top scorer in the league. Reuters
    Striker: Danny Ings (Southampton) – His brace defeated Aston Villa, lifted Southampton out of the bottom three and made him the joint second top scorer in the league. Reuters

Football

Willian and Marcos Alonso in alongside Manchester City pair and Watford duo: Premier League team of the week

Southampton striker Danny Ings brace against Aston Villa sees him joint second in the goalscoring charts

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly
Greater Manchester, England

December 23, 2019

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Bottom-club Watford pulled off the shock of the weekend with a first win under new manager Nigel Pearson against Manchester United.

Granted they were aided by an early Christmas present from David de Gea, who fumbled Ismaila Sarr's volley, and a rash challenge from Aaron Wan Bissaka that allowed Troy Deeney to convert from the penalty spot, but the Hornets were well worth the three points at Vicarage Road.

Chelsea's 2-0 win away to Tottenham owed much to Frank Lampard's shake up in formation and selection, with wing-back Marcos Alonso and winger Willian more than justifying their selections.

You can view who else makes it into Richard Jolly's team of the week by scrolling through the photo gallery above.

If you are viewing on a a mobile device, simply swipe/click on each picture.

Christmas 2025