Costa on fire for chelsea

The Chelsea striker brought his tally for the season to eight despite continuing injury concerns, while the Tottenham captain led a disciplined defensive display.

After another round of spectacular Premier League action in which Chelsea continued their fine start at the top of the
table, which men have made it into Goal ’s Team of the
Week?...


Hugo Lloris ( 4) lines up in goal after an impressive
performance against Arsenal. The France skipper made five
saves in the north London derby, notably an incredible refle
stop to deny Per Mertesacker’s towering header, and was a
commanding presence despite conceding late on to a
thunderbolt from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Chelsea’s exploits in front of goal have helped them race to
the summit of the Premier League, but left-back Cesar
Azpilicueta ( 3.5 ) continues to fly the flag for the Blues’
back-line. The Spaniard kept a clean sheet against Aston
Villa - only the side’s second of the season - as well as
producing a fine assist and recording a match-high five
interceptions.
Tottenham captain Younes Kaboul ( 4 ) was another member
of the Spurs backline that frustrated Arsenal at the Emirates
Stadium. The French centre-back may have been denied a
clean sheet but was nevertheless an indomitable rock in
defence, making five interceptions and an astonishing 10
clearances to silence his doubters.
Phil Jagielka’s ( 4 ) performance against Liverpool will be
remembered exclusively for the stunning stoppage-time
drive that rifled into the top corner, kissing the crossbar on
the way in, to salvage a point for Everton, but he also
completed 98 per cent of his 56 passes in an assured – and
decisive – display from the veteran.
Southampton’s fine form continued with a 2-1 victory over
QPR that took them to second place in the table, with Ryan
Bertrand ( 3.5 ) opening the scoring for the hosts. The
Chelsea loanee raced towards the by-line and fired a low
shot under Rob Green to do something predecessor Luke
Shaw never managed: score in the Premier League.
Jordan Henderson ( 4 ) continues to shine for Liverpool and
deserved to leave Saturday’s Merseyside derby with more
than a point to show for his efforts. The ground-gobbling
midfielder covered every blade of grass, attempted more
passes than any player on the pitch and tackled his
opponent or intercepted the ball on nine occasions.
The weekend’s most comprehensive victory was, somewha
surprisingly, recorded by West Brom. The architect of the
Baggies’ 4-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Burnley was
Graham Dorrans ( 3.5 ) , who rounded off the scoring at the
Hawthorns after providing two assists earlier in the game.
He also attempted 74 passes at 94% accuracy.
Willian ( 4 ) says he has to “fight like a lion” to get in the
Chelsea starting XI, and performances such as his virtuoso
display against Villa will do his chances no harm. The
Brazilian created the opening goal for compatriot Oscar and
was a constant threat to the visitors' backline, eventually
getting his just reward with his side’s third goal in the 79th
minute.
Youngster Saido Berahino ( 4 ) continues to mark himself out
as a player to watch, especially after scoring twice in West
Brom’s mauling of Burnley. The first goal was a pure
poacher’s effort, the second an intelligent run and emphatic
finish, and he is now the leading English scorer in the
Premier League.
After being stifled against Manchester City, the
prolific Diego Costa ( 4.5 ) was back on the scoresheet
against Villa. The Spain international, despite doing “almost
nothing” in training due to injury, was a constant threat; he
peppered Brad Guzan’s goal, worked hard, played a part in
Willian’s strike and powered in a thumping header.
But for Costa, Graziano Pelle ( 4 ) would likely be the striker
everyone is talking about. The summer signing from
Feyenoord bagged his fourth Premier League goal of the
campaign – and what a goal it was! The Italian’s
outrageous overhead kick bagged all three points for
Southampton, while he showed he is more than just a
creator by setting up four chances.