The Premier League heads into the third international break of the season following a tight weekend of action in which only one game was won by more than a one goal margin. Even with a lack of goals, the world’s most entertaining league delivered once again, as did a number of its star performers. Here are the names we’re talking about after week 12…
Jesse Lingard, Manchester United
Manchester United’s victory against West Bromwich Albion involved a series of firsts for Jesse Lingard. The 22-year-old’s strike from the edge of the penalty area was his first goal for United, the club’s first league goal after two successive 0-0 draws, and also the first Premier League goal the Red Devils have scored from outside the box in 2015.
After starring in the Champions League win over CSKA Moscow Lingard’s excellent control and curling effort to net United’s first of the afternoon topped off a first-class performance in which Lingard was tireless and looked dangerous throughout, helping his side to an important 2-0 victory.
The fact that Lingard is keeping £25 million signing Memphis Depay out of Louis van Gaal’s team might seem surprising to some, but the winger’s committed performance this weekend was perfect justification.
SEE ALSO: 10 Premier League underachievers this season so far, starring Memphis Depay
Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace
Following his much publicised appointment as Liverpool manager last month, Jürgen Klopp spoke of how the fans would play a vital role in the club’s success this season. It was perhaps with a hint of irony then, that a Reds fan would be responsible for his first taste of defeat as manager this weekend; Liverpool-born Scott Dann nodding home the winner for Crystal Palace in a 2-1 victory.
The Palace centre-back doesn’t earn the accolade of being his team’s star performer this weekend however. That award goes to Wilfried Zaha, who, as his manager Alan Pardew acknowledged, has proven many of his doubters wrong with a number of impressive and mature performances this season.
The 22-year-old proved a constant menace to the Liverpool defence and attempted more take-ons than any other player this weekend. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Zaha was instrumental in securing Palace’s 10th Premier League away win of 2015, which only Arsenal, with 11, can beat.
Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
Having seen Remi Garde hold Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in his first game as Aston Villa manager earlier in the day, Arsenal missed the opportunity to open up a gap at the top of the table when they drew 1-1 with Tottenham in the north London derby. The Gunners might consider themselves lucky to have escaped with a point however; Spurs dominated much of the game and took the lead in the first half.
It was Harry Kane who opened the scoring, and after a number of performances earlier in the season where the England international looked devoid of confidence, Kane appears to have returned to his unfazed self.
Played through on goal with Arsenal’s defence bearing down and teammates chasing to provide support, Kane had the composure to look up and assess his options, before tucking the ball away. His goal gave Spurs a deserved half-time lead having unlocked the Arsenal defence on a number of occasions, with Kane providing the focal point of a potent looking attack.
Arsenal applied the pressure in the second half as they grew into the game, and have Mesut Ozil to thank for yet another assist after his cross was turned in by Kieran Gibbs in the final stages to earn a point.
SEE ALSO: Arsenal vs Tottenham: Top 10 Classic North London Derbies
Ryan Shawcross, Stoke City
Speaking after Stoke’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea this weekend, Potters manager Mark Hughes said Ryan Shawcross was deserving of a return to the England squad, but added that he won’t be holding his breath.
Someone who was holding their breath however, was the 28-year-old’s opponent, Diego Costa, who accused the central defender of having body odour during the game. Shawcross shrugged off the accusation as easily as he’d shrugged off Costa in the pair’s physical battle, making the Spain international look like a frustrated bully.
Shawcross was solid in defence and helped Stoke survive late Chelsea pressure to earn a deserved clean sheet, while Marko Arnautovic’s goal secured a second victory over the Blues in recent weeks.
Made sure @Ryanshawy put his deodorant on this evening Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
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— Kath Shawcross (@kathbuckley) November 7, 2015
Gerard Deulofeu, Everton
Romelu Lukaku went into Everton’s game at West Ham having scored in six successive games against the Hammers, and the striker has Gerard Deulofeu to thank for extending that run to seven. It was the 21-year-old’s perfectly weighted pass that split West Ham’s defence and allowed Lukaku to round Adrian to open the scoring.
Flashes of brilliance earlier in the season had hinted towards Deulofeu’s potential, but a lack of consistency had earned him a number of doubters.
His assist for Lukaku’s goal this weekend was his third in successive games, however, suggesting that the young Spaniard is adding a degree of maturity and reliability to his performances, which will be crucial if Everton are to build upon the ninth place position they hold in the table following the 1-1 at Upton Park.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 La Liga best young players – The JF60 – 2014/2015 Review, starring Gerard Deulofeu
Rob Elliot, Newcastle United
When Tim Krul suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during October’s international break – ruling the goalkeeper out for the season – Newcastle fans feared the worst. However the club goes into this international break knowing his replacement was instrumental in securing an important win to lift them out of the relegation places at the expense of their opponents.
Rob Elliot made a league high five saves to prevent a dangerous Bournemouth side from capitalising on a dominant display, earning a second clean sheet in successive games to leapfrog the south coast side into 17th.
His heroics at the back allowed Ayoze Perez to score with Newcastle’s only shot on target to secure a crucial three points in a 1-0 victory.
Who were the star names of week 12 in your opinion? Let us know below, on Twitter @JustFootball, or on Facebook.
The post Jesse Lingard, Wilfried Zaha, Kane… Names of the Premier League, week 12 appeared first on Just Football.