FPL Team Of The Week- Gameweek 22

In a frenzied finale to the transfer window, recruitment teams nationwide were in a race against time. Meanwhile, the Premier League witnessed an action-packed midweek as 20 teams clashed on the pitch. Liverpool maintained their dominance with a resounding 4-1 victory over Chelsea, extending their lead at the top to five points.

Arsenal and Manchester City, hot on the heels of the Reds, secured wins to stay in the title race. The Gunners narrowly triumphed 2-1 against Nottingham Forest, while the reigning champions, Manchester City, comfortably brushed aside Burnley in a 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur’s thrilling 3-2 win over Brentford propelled them back into the Champions League positions, capitalizing on Aston Villa’s first home defeat of the season, a 3-1 loss to Newcastle United. Manchester United clinched an extraordinary away success, overcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 in a late drama. Luton Town also shone with a remarkable 4-0 rout against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Crystal Palace displayed resilience, recovering from an early setback to secure a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United. West Ham United and Bournemouth played out a forgettable 1-1 draw, while Fulham and Everton struggled to break the deadlock in a goalless stalemate. The midweek fixtures provided a thrilling spectacle as the league continued its unpredictable narrative.

Let’s have a look at the Team of the Week for Gameweek 22:

Jordan Pickford (Everton)

In the showdown between Fulham and Everton at Craven Cottage, the pitch witnessed a goal drought with a staggering 46 shots fired without finding the net. However, the spotlight shone on Jordan Pickford, the England number one, whose exceptional performance played a pivotal role in ensuring Everton remained in contention.

Pickford’s goalkeeping heroics included five crucial stops, demonstrating his shot-stopping prowess and resilience under pressure. One standout moment came in the form of a magnificent acrobatic leap, where he skillfully tipped Tosin Adarabioyo’s threatening header over the crossbar.

James Tarkowski (Everton)

Amidst the buzz surrounding Jarrad Branthwaite’s potential big-money European move, it was James Tarkowski who took center stage for Everton in their quest for a point in West London. The experienced center-back showcased his defensive prowess with a crucial intervention, preventing a goal-bound strike from Timothy Castagne with one of his nine clearances.

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Tarkowski’s defensive resilience was a key factor in thwarting the opposition’s attacks and securing a valuable point for Everton. However, his influence wasn’t limited to the defensive end, as he came close to notching a late assist for Beto. In a promising attacking move, Tarkowski set up the opportunity for the Portuguese striker, only to witness a surprising turn of events as Beto inexplicably missed an aerial sitter from just a couple of yards out.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

Despite Everton securing a point at Craven Cottage, the team dropped into the relegation zone. For Nottingham Forest, the disappointment after their loss to Arsenal was palpable. However, Murillo stood out as one of Forest’s notable post-promotion acquisitions.

The Brazilian showcased his defensive prowess with 11 clearances, five blocks, four interceptions, and two tackles. In a match where the Tricky Trees frustrated Arsenal for over an hour, Murillo’s standout performance highlighted his crucial role in defense. Unfortunately, Forest succumbed to two errors from other defensive members, leading to their defeat against the Gunners.

Fabian Schar (Newcastle United)

Newcastle’s Fabian Schar emerged as a hero at Villa Park, breaking the Magpies’ striker crisis with an instinctive volley from a corner. Notably, Schar, a Switzerland international, ended his goal drought in the top flight after missing his previous 73 shots. The defender completed an unlikely brace with an unmissable tap-in. A potential hat-trick was narrowly denied by a top-notch block from Clement Lenglet in the second half. Schar’s remarkable performance earned him praise and played a crucial role in Newcastle’s success against Aston Villa.

Conor Bradley (Liverpool)

Liverpool’s Conor Bradley, standing in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, caught Jurgen Klopp’s attention with a standout performance against Chelsea. The 20-year-old not only scored his first goal for the Reds with a fine strike but also showcased his attacking prowess by setting up two goals.

Bradley assisted Diogo Jota and delivered a pinpoint cross for Dominik Szoboszlai, earning the distinction of being the youngest Liverpool player to set up two goals in a Premier League match since Alexander-Arnold accomplished the feat five years ago. Klopp faces an interesting decision as Bradley’s impressive display adds depth to the squad ahead of their upcoming clash with Arsenal.

Ross Barkley (Luton Town)

Former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley had a dream performance for Luton at Kenilworth Road. The Englishman, showcasing his enduring quality in the Hatters’ engine room, played a pivotal role in Elijah Adebayo’s hat-trick against Brighton. Barkley not only provided an assist but also created a total of five chances while completing three successful dribbles. The dynamic display highlighted Barkley’s impact as he rolled back the years, contributing significantly to Luton’s success and leaving a lasting impression in midfield.

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Luton and Sheffield United quickly found the net in midweek, but Sheffield’s early goal proved inconsequential against a vibrant Palace side led by the dynamic duo, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. In a thrilling five-goal encounter, Eze showcased his prowess with a first-half brace, both expertly set up by Olise – the first an acrobatic hook and the second a stunning strike after a clever dummy.

Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

Not content with just providing, Olise added his own goal to the mix with an exquisite drive from the edge of the area. The well-executed shot found the bottom corner, securing maximum points for a Roy Hodgson-led Palace team. Despite their impressive contributions, both Eze and Olise left the pitch worse for wear, leaving Hodgson anxiously awaiting updates on their conditions.

Adebayo (Luton Town)

In a goal-packed round of 10 Premier League fixtures with a staggering 39 goals, the standout attacker was Luton’s history-maker, Elijah Adebayo. Securing his place as the first name on the teamsheet, Adebayo netted a remarkable hat-trick, featuring two powerful headers and a calm finish at Jason Steele’s near post. This achievement marked Luton’s first top-flight hat-trick in 33 years and their inaugural one in the Premier League. 

The 26-year-old forward not only etched his name in Hatters’ history but also celebrated his long-awaited first professional career treble, sending Kenilworth Road into raptures in the process. Adebayo’s standout performance made him the undeniable star of the goal-laden Premier League fixtures.

Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)

On his 24th birthday, Julian Alvarez marked the occasion with goal-scoring prowess for Manchester City on Wednesday evening. The Argentine striker made the most of his limited opportunities, converting both of his two shots on target into a memorable brace.

Alvarez opened the scoring with a straightforward header and showcased his striking instincts with a perfectly timed run to meet Kevin De Bruyne’s impeccably weighted free kick. The celebration of his birthday took a delightful turn as Alvarez’s goal-scoring display played a crucial role in Manchester City’s success.

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Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)

In a three-pronged attack featuring the third South American representative, Gabriel Jesus initially faltered with a glaring miss against Nottingham Forest in Arsenal’s challenging opening hour. However, the Brazilian swiftly redeemed himself, skillfully slotting the ball through Matt Turner’s legs from a tight angle. Jesus further contributed by providing an assist for Bukayo Saka during a lightning-quick counter-attack. His quick turnaround and impactful performance earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match prize.