Premier League Team of the Week XI

Another Premier League gameweek is in the books. The hectic festive period is beginning to warm up – but which teams are starting to feel the heat?

It was a positive weekend for Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Liverpool – let’s see if any of their players made it into our Premier League team of the week.

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma has had his ups and downs since joining Manchester City, but he was on hand to put forth a dominant display between the sticks against Crystal Palace.

His backline offered him with adequate protection, but the Italian number one was on hand to deal with anything that came his way.

RB: Malo Gusto

Another player who has experienced peaks and valleys this year – nonetheless, Malo Gusto was firing on all cylinders against Everton.

The Frenchman scored a goal, assisted another and kept a clean sheet as Chelsea defeated the Toffees by a score of 2-0.

CB: Omar Alderete

Sunderland stars Omar Alderete and Dan Ballard were absolutely imperious against Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear Derby – out of the two, we think Alderete was ever-so-slightly superior.

Alderete won 5 aerial duels against Newcastle as the Black Cats kept them at arms’ length, en route to a 1-0 win over their bitter rivals.

CB: Josko Gvardiol

Are Manchester City back to their best? Perhaps – their 3-0 demolition job over a strong Crystal Palace outfit at Selhurst Park was more than enough of a reason to believe that Pep Guardiola’s men are back in business.

Defensively, City were much better, with Josko Gvardiol at the heart of the matter. He was unbeatable in the air and was also on hand to make some crucial blocks against the Eagles.

LB: Reinildo

Reinildo played a huge part in Sunderland’s win over Newcastle. His job was to keep Anthony Gordon quiet – and he certainly succeeded in that regard, as the England international was largely anonymous at the Stadium of Light.

It was a battling display from the Mozambican international – he showed that he can thrive in high-pressure encounters.

CM: Ibrahim Sangare

Nottingham Forest have struggled so far this season, but they put their poor form aside to destroy Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground by a score of 3-0.

Ibrahim Sangare was one of Forest’s two stars of the show, as he registered two assists and scored the Trees’ third goal of the afternoon.

CM: Jordan Henderson

Many thought Jordan Henderson’s time in the Premier League was over prior to this season, but the former Liverpool captain has been utterly outstanding since he made the jump to Brentford.

He has provided both industry and inspiration to Brentford’s midfield – he capped off his excellent display against Leeds United with a goal in the second half.

RW: Morgan Rogers

Morgan Rogers continues to stake his claim in England’s 2026 World Cup team with another brilliant display for Aston Villa.

Villa had to come from behind to defeat West Ham United – Rogers was on hand to score both their second equaliser and the winning goal to give the Villans all three points.

AM: Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes was probably the best Premier League player from the weekend – the Portuguese international will be bitterly disappointed to have only come away with a point against Bournemouth.

He scored a goal and notched up an assist on the back of an energetic performance, as United drew 4-4 with the Cherries in a thriller.

LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi

Tottenham Hotspur simply couldn’t handle Callum Hudson-Odoi on Sunday afternoon, as Nottingham Forest trounced the Lilywhites.

Hudson-Odoi burst into life after a subpar start to the season, scoring twice and notching up an assist as Forest picked up a massive 3-0 win.

ST: Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland was fairly quiet for long stretches of Manchester City’s game against Crystal Palace, but still managed to rack up a pair of goals.

He scored a header from a Matheus Nunes for City’s first, then netted a penalty to score their third and final goal of the game.