Premier League TOTW Gameweek 36: Four Crystal Palace players join Saints defensive effort | OneFootball

Eberechi Eze continued his hot streak with two goals to help Crystal Palace to a famous 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The England international scored either side of half-time to ensure the Eagles can now finish no lower than 12th, while perfectly preparing them for their FA Cup final clash with Manchester City.

He’s one of several Palace players to make our Premier League Team of the Week on Gameweek 36, but he’s also joined by in-form stars from Everton and Brentford, alongside a heroic Southampton rearguard effort against Man City.

We’ve used our Squawka Score to determine the 11 picks, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.

GK: Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton)

The most remarkable result of the weekend was Southampton’s 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City. That point stopped the Saints equalling the worst in Premier League history, while it was their first clean sheet since December 22nd. Naturally, City almost totally dominated and Aaron Ramsdale was forced into four high-quality saves, preventing 1.32 goals.

Honourable mention: Emiliano Martinez (83%)

RB: Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace’s FA Cup final preparations went perfectly as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 away from home on Sunday. The Eagles scored twice in quick succession either side of half-time, both by Eberechi Eze. Daniel Munoz was the architect behind the first goal, bursting beyond the Spurs defence before setting up Eze for a simple finish in the penalty area. Munoz was a constant threat throughout, creating three chances and attempting three shots, while he also helped out defensively with two tackles, two clearances and one interception.

Honourable mention: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (72%)

CB: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

While Munoz caused havoc at one end, Marc Guehi kept things locked up for Palace at the other. The Eagles skipper won six of his seven ground duels against Spurs, while also winning three tackles and making five clearances, three interceptions and one block. The England international was as calm as ever on the ball, completing a match-high 54 passes at a 90% success rate, while he even created one big chance.

Honourable mention: Tyrone Mings (69%)

CB: Jan Bednarek (Southampton)

It wasn’t just Ramsdale pulling off that defensive masterclass against City; those in front of him put everything on the line. Jan Bednarek, for example, made a ridiculous 13 clearances, which is nearly as many passes as he completed throughout the match (17). Furthermore, he was 100% on tackles and ground duels, while he won three of four aerial duels and made three blocks and two interceptions. Not much got past him and when it did, it didn’t get past Ramsdale.

Honourable mention: Sven Botman (68%)

LB: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa had to work hard for their 0-1 win away at Bournemouth and few worked harder than Lucas Digne. The Frenchman is best known for his delivery, and he did create one big chance. However, it was his defensive efforts that stood out, making two tackles and four clearances, while also winning six of nine combined ground and aerial duels.

Honourable mention: Josko Gvardiol (67%)

CDM: Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)

Mateo Kovacic will feel sick that he didn’t end up on the winning side at St. Mary’s, but he certainly gave his level best. The Croatian created two chances and completed 56 passes on the day, including 10 into the final third. He was also four for five on ground duels and five for seven on overall duels, while stopping those rare Saints forays to maintain pressure by making two interceptions and three recoveries.

Honourable mention: Sandro Tonali (72%)

CM: Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace)

Jefferson Lerma was at his usual, combative best against Spurs, making two tackles (winning one), two clearances and one block, while also winning four of his seven ground duels. However, he was also ice cold on the ball, completing 22 of his 25 passes, creating one chance and playing four passes into the final third, while also drawing two fouls. He was brought off after 61 minutes due to being on a yellow card, but Lerma had already helped do the damage.

Honourable mention: James Ward-Prowse (71%)

RW: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

Brentford’s European hopes remain very much alive after their narrow 1-0 win away at Ipswich Town. Kevin Schade was the match-winner on 18 minutes but it was Bryan Mbeumo’s perfect corner that put it on a plate for him. The impressive Mbeumo was a threat throughout, attempting four shots and completing two of his three dribbles, while having six touches in the opposition box and attempting 10 crosses. The 25-year-old pulled his shift at the other end, too, with four clearances.

Honourable mention: Anthony Elanga (68%)

AM: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Eze is a man in red-hot form right now and Pep Guardiola will be giving him considerable thought ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final. The England star scored either side of half-time to give Palace a 2-0 win over Spurs at the weekend and while a lot of the other stuff he tried didn’t quite come off, he’d already decided the game in three supremely effective minutes. That’s five goals in his last four games across all competitions.

Honourable mention: Morgan Gibbs-White (75%)

LW: Alex Iwobi (Fulham)

Alex Iwobi ended up on the losing side at the weekend against his former club Everton, but he put in an immense individual performance. The numbers are remarkable, with the ex-Arsenal man creating three chances and attempting three shots, while completing a match-high three dribbles. He also played five passes into the final third and had four touches in the opposition box, while attempting four crosses and chipping in with three tackles.

Honourable mention: Kevin Schade (67%)

CF: Beto (Everton)

Beto, on the other hand, was on the winning side and it was he who decided the match in the 73rd minute, dispatching an excellent finish to beat Fulham ‘keeper Bernd Leno on the break; Beto’s seventh Premier League goal since David Moyes returned to Everton, with only four players managing more throughout the entire division. Beto is an old-fashioned striker and only completed eight of his 16 passes, but he won a ridiculous eight of his 11 aerial duels, proving effective at both ends of the pitch. The second coming of Duncan Ferguson?