Premier League Team of the Week: Defensive stars Van Dijk, Thiaw and Hill stand out

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates against Sunderland
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates against SunderlandReuters / Lee Smith

We were treated to a full midweek slate of Premier League football and there was once again no shortage of entertainment.

The big winners were Manchester City after their 3-0 win over Fulham closed the gap to leaders Arsenal to four points, as the Gunners drew 1-1 at Brentford.

Liverpool handed Sunderland their first home league defeat with a 1-0 win, Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-1 on their travels and lowly Burnley sprung a remarkable comeback to stun Crystal Palace 3-2.

Using Flashscore's player ratings system, it's time to look at the latest Premier League Team of the Week:

Premier League Team of the Week
Premier League Team of the WeekFlashscore

Goalkeeper

Jose Sa (Wolves) - 9.0

Sa was a wall between the posts for Wolves as they snatched a point with a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest.

He made a huge 10 saves to prevent just over two goals and made a superb double stop on the line to keep Wolves level.

Defenders

James Hill (Bournemouth) - 9.1

Bournemouth's in-form Hill had a big impact at both ends of the pitch in the Cherries' 2-1 win away to Everton.

He made a game-high 13 clearances and won eight aerial duels and recorded the assist for Amine Adli's eventual winner.

Hill v Everton
Hill v EvertonMark Fletcher, MI News & Sport / Alamy / Profimedia / Opta by Stats Perform

Malick Thiaw (Newcastle) - 8.4

Thiaw found the scoresheet by bundling Newcastle in front against Spurs with a close-range rebound.

The German made eight clearances and won five aerial duels en route to helping the Magpies to just their third Premier League win on the road.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 9.0

Van Dijk put in a colossal display to help Liverpool edge out a typically stubborn Sunderland.

The Reds captain – like Hill – made 13 clearances and won eight aerial duels and netted the lone goal of the game with a towering header.

Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) - 8.3

There was plenty of huff and puff from the returning Williams, who fired seven of Forest's incredible 35 shots in their Wolves stalemate.

The Wales international created one chance, won nine duels and three tackles as Forest were stifled on home turf.

Midfielders

Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - 8.3

Palmer picked up where he left off last week against Wolves with another goal and assist to his name, this time in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Leeds.

He assisted Joao Pedro's opener before converting a penalty in the first half, but it wasn't enough as Leeds stormed back.

Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) - 8.1

Forest powerhouse Anderson plugged away in the middle of the park at the City Ground.

The England midfielder took seven shots like teammate Williams, completed a game-high 79 passes and won 11 duels, but it wasn't to be.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest) - 8.7

Hudson-Odoi saw plenty of the ball and desperately tried to make something happen for a frustrated Forest.

He took four shots, had six touches in the Wolves box and created one chance, but Forest were unable to break through.

Jaidon Anthony (Burnley) - 8.0

Burnley's top scorer Anthony netted the equaliser in the Clarets' striking first-half rally at Palace, which grabbed them a rare win.

Anthony deceptively found the bottom corner for a Burnley side that may well be showing a bit of life in the relegation battle.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (Arsenal) - 7.8

Madueke netted the lone Arsenal goal in their draw at Brentford with a fine header in the second half.

The former Chelsea man worked hard by winning six ground duels and three tackles, but the Gunners were pegged back.

Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 7.7

After a quiet patch of form, Foden looked a lot more threatening as Arsenal-chasing City cruised past Fulham.

Foden assisted Erling Haaland's strike, took four shots and completed a game-high 17 final-third passes in an improved showing.

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