Hat-trick hero Salah leads the way - the Premier League Team of the Weekend

Mohamed Salah led the way with a hat-trick for Liverpool at Bournemouth to make our Opta-powered Premier League Team of the Weekend.

Published : Dec 10, 2018 05:24 IST

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth.
Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth.
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Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth.

It could well have been a crucial weekend in the Premier League, with Manchester City's first defeat of the season – away at Chelsea – opening the door for Liverpool to take the lead.

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick in the Reds' 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth, while Manchester United ended a four-game winless streak in the league.

And all of the victorious sides listed above are represented in this Opta-powered Team of the Weekend, with West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham also featuring.

Read: Doherty clinches Wolves three points with late winner

GOALKEEPER - KEPA ARRIZABALAGA (CHELSEA)

Crucial to Chelsea's victory over Manchester City was its resilient defence, marshalled excellently by David Luiz, who also features in this team.

But when its backline was breached, Chelsea had its young shot-stopper to rely on, with Kepa Arrizabalaga becoming just the second goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against City this season after Liverpool's Alisson.

RIGHT-BACK - ASHLEY YOUNG (MANCHESTER UNITED)

Young got Manchester United up and running in its 4-1 victory over Fulham – Jose Mourinho's 50th win as Red Devils boss.

The full-back's goal ended a run of 39 games without Young getting on the scoresheet, and after setting up Marcus Rashford for United's final effort, the England international scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for the first time since April 2015.

CENTRE-BACK - SOKRATIS PAPASTATHOPOULOS (ARSENAL)

It took a late goal from Lucas Torreira for Arsenal to see off Huddersfield Town at Emirates Stadium, although its star performer came in defence.

There were just two shots on target in this game, with Sokratis Papastathopoulos helping keep Huddersfield's attack under wraps by making five interceptions, three more than any other Arsenal player.

CENTRE-BACK - DAVID LUIZ (CHELSEA)

David Luiz grabbed the headlines with his late goal to secure the points for Chelsea against Manchester City, but the defender was also dominant at the back.

The Brazil international made seven recoveries and seven clearances, more than any other Chelsea player.

LEFT-BACK - ANDREW ROBERTSON (LIVERPOOL)

Mohamed Salah's hat-trick sealed the points for Jurgen Klopp's men at Bournemouth, with Steve Cook's own-goal also adding further humiliation for the Cherries.

Robertson's cross forced that mistake from Bournemouth's captain, and no Liverpool player had more touches than the Scotland defender, who had 97.

The former Hull City full-back also made four tackles and three clearances, more than any of his team-mates.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD - FELIPE ANDERSON (WEST HAM)

It took some time for Felipe Anderson to settle into the Premier League, but the former Lazio playmaker is now growing into his best form.

His exceptional finish secured the win for West Ham against Crystal Palace, and the Brazilian has now scored five goals in his last six league games, as many as his previous 34 combined for both the Hammers and Lazio.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD - JUAN MATA (MANCHESTER UNITED)

Mata scored and then teed up Romelu Lukaku's first goal at Old Trafford since March in Manchester United's win over Fulham.

In the process, he became only the third Spanish player to both score 50+ goals and register 50+ assists in Premier League history after Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD - ROBERT SNODGRASS (WEST HAM)

Snodgrass hauled West Ham level in their 3-2 win over Crystal Palace, smashing a spectacular half-volley into the top corner from long range.

That was the midfielder's first Premier League goal for West Ham, and his first for any club since January 2017, when he scored for Hull City against West Brom, 705 days ago.

STRIKER - SON HEUNG-MIN (TOTTENHAM)

Son opened the scoring for Tottenham in its 2-0 win over Leicester City, and the South Korea forward has now scored three goals in his last four league appearances.

He was directly involved in six of Tottenham's seven shots against Leicester, having four shots at goal and creating two chances.

STRIKER - MARCUS RASHFORD (MANCHESTER UNITED)

Rashford added gloss to Manchester United's win over Fulham with a late goal at Old Trafford.

The youngster had already teed up two of United's three goals before that, meaning it is the first Premier League match that Rashford has been directly involved in three goals since doing so on his debut against Arsenal in February 2016.

STRIKER - MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL)

Salah was the star of the weekend, netting a hat-trick against Bournemouth as Liverpool leapfrogged Manchester City into first place. 

The Egypt forward has scored the opening goal in seven Premier League games this term, more than any other player, while he has now scored 42 league goals since the start of 2017-18. Only Barcelona's Lionel Messi has scored more in that time.

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