London24 Team of the Week: Wimbledon duo, Hammers stopper, that man from Spurs and more…
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
2.26 PM
With a slightly belated selection this week after last night’s scintillating London derby which saw Tottenham beat West Ham 3-2, here the London24 sports desk have chosen a star 11 from the 14 Premier League and Football League clubs around the capital. Tweet us @London24Sport to let us know what you think!
GOALKEEPER – Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham)
He made a string of saves, including point blank stops, against Tottenham last night which kept the Irons in with a shout of a point until Gareth Bale fired in a stunning, long range 90th minute winner.
DEFENDER – Steven Caulker (Tottenham)
He was lively in attack against West Ham and could have bagged a hat-trick but for the inspired form on Jussi Jaaskelainen. he was involved in Gylfi Sigurdsson’s leveller to make in 2-2.
DEFENDER – Chris Hussey (AFC Wimbledon)
The left-back tested Dagenham & Redbridge with a series of set pieces and it was his corner that was cleared off the line in the build-up to Kevin Sainte-Luce’s winner ten minutes from time. At the back he also helped the Dons keep a first clean sheet in nine games.
DEFENDER – Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
The Gunners’ January signing produced the cross for Santi Cazorla’s winner against Aston Villa. Good going forward and reliable in defence, the Spaniard made a welcome return to the starting line-up after being cup-tied for the north Londoners’ rout at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
MIDFIELDER – Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The Belgian broke Sparta Prague’s hearts in the Europa League on Thursday with a winner in stoppage time to send the Blues through to the last 16, 2-1 on aggregate.
MIDFIELDER – Kevin Sainte-Luce (AFC Wimbledon)
The Frenchman’s first goal for his new club, since signing from Cardiff on transfer deadline day, could not have been more vital as his 25-yard drive in the 80th minute toppled capital rivals Dagenham & Redbridge and lifted them out of the League Two relegation zone, one point above north London strugglers Barnet.
MIDFIELDER – Martyn Woolford (Millwall)
The 27-year-old’s first goal for the Lions since signing from Bristol City in January was a timely one as it arrested a poor run of form for the south Londoners, handing them a first win in the Championship since they beating his former side on New Year’s Day,
MIDFIELDER – Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
The Spaniard scored both of Arsenal’s goals in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa – the winner in the 85th minute – as the Gunners bounced back from a dreadful week in which they were knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Championship Blackburn and all but knocked out of the Champions League with a 3-1 reverse to Bayern Munich at the Emirates.
MIDFIELDER/STRIKER – Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
The Welshman played centrally off striker Emmanuel Adebayor against West Ham last night and was hailed by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce as single-handedly beating his side by opening the scoring and then producing a wonder strike in the last minute to win the game 3-2. It continued the 23-year-old’s hot streak which has seen him score eight of Spurs’ last ten goals, including other winners against West Brom, Newcastle and Lyon in their Europa League first leg clash.
STRIKER – Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham)
The 32-year-old scored the only goal of the game – his second in three games – as Fulham beat Stoke and claimed a vital fourth victory in 19 Premier League outings for the Whites and put eight points between them and relegation.
STRIKER – Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace)
His strike in the 2-1 victory over Bristol City moved him on to 28 goals for the season.