Prem Top Men: Hazard the boss

Eden Hazard makes our Premier League Top Men line-up, while Everton, Arsenal, Southampton and Aston Villa all supply two players to the XI.

Last Updated: 18/03/13 at 12:38 Post Comment

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

After every round of Premier League fixtures, we pick our team of the weekend, explain our selections and then invite you - our loyal army of readers - to pick your team of Top Men.

We're looking for the players who caught your eye with dazzling displays or powerful performances on Matchday 30 (March 16 &17). You can choose any formation and there's no limit on how many players you can pick from each team - so have a think, then get involved.

TEAMtalk's Top Men (4-3-3): Guzan; Coleman, Ferdinand, Hangeland, Monreal; Osman, Schneiderlin, Cazorla; Hazard, Weimann, Rodriguez.

Brad Guzan - Aston Villa

Villa claimed a vital triumph in the battle for survival when they edged out fellow strugglers QPR 3-2 at Villa Park and goalkeeper Guzan played a crucial role in the welcome win. The Hoops could have been out of sight by half-time had it not been for two important stops on Chris Samba from the United States international before the break, with his first particularly eye-catching as he got his fingertips to the defender's looping header. With Villa only a goal behind at the interval, they were able to come back in a dramatic second half to bag the much-needed three points.

Seamus Coleman - Everton

The Toffees put in a committed display to shock Manchester City with a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park and Coleman was a star performer. The Irishman was outstanding at both ends, holding things steady on the right of defence while also proving a nuisance getting forward. Coleman caused Aleksandar Kolarov problems all afternoon as he stormed up and down the pitch, while the defender also teed up Leon Osman for his rocket of an opener in the 32nd minute, marking his fourth assist of the season.

Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United

After a recall to the England squad last week, Ferdinand continued his impressive form with a solid display in Manchester United's 1-0 home win over Reading as they kept their title bid firmly on course. The 34-year-old was a composed figure at the back and crowned a fine performance by lending a hand to Wayne Rooney's winner; sweeping forwards after making a crucial interception and playing the ball to his team-mate on the edge of the penalty area, with the striker's deflected shot finding its target.

Brede Hangeland - Fulham

Fulham shocked Tottenham in the London derby at White Hart Lane with a 1-0 triumph thanks to Dimitar Berbatov's winner and Hangeland played a key role in the success, marshalling the Cottagers' defence superbly. The Norway international did well to keep Emmanuel Adebayor subdued as Spurs were restricted in their efforts to score and put in a number of important clearances. He was also a threat getting forward, almost doubling the Londoners' lead with a headed effort in the second half.

Nacho Monreal - Arsenal

January signing Monreal was the unlikely goalscorer of Arsenal's 74th-minute opener as they claimed a 2-0 triumph at Swansea to keep their bid for a UEFA Champions League place intact. The left-back saw his scuffed effort from inside the box squirm past Michel Vorm in the Swans' net to put the Gunners in front and seal his first goal for the club. Ahead of that strike, Monreal had laid the foundations for the win by helping keep things tight at the back as the hosts pressed in the early stages.

Leon Osman - Everton

Osman's shining moment for Everton against Manchester City is not hard to pick out, with the veteran midfielder unleashing a first-half stunner which left goalkeeper Joe Hart with no chance. After Coleman laid the ball back for him, Osman made no mistake with a swerving left-footed sliced emphatically into the top-corner. Standing in as skipper for the day, the strike was the highlight of a real captain's performance from the 31-year-old.

Morgan Schneiderlin - Southampton

Schneiderlin's recent showings for Southampton have been impressive and he contributed another in the 3-1 home win over Liverpool as one of the Saints' standout performers. The Frenchman scored his third goal in six games in just the sixth minute when he flicked in a Gaston Ramirez ball and didn't let up after that opener, refusing to let the Reds relax as he made a nuisance of himself in midfield, showing some great passing technique.

Santi Cazorla - Arsenal

Cazorla is no stranger to our team of the week and the Spaniard makes the cut again after pulling the strings for Arsenal in their win at Swansea. He was the man behind the Gunners' breakthrough 15 minutes from time as he burst into the box to square the ball to Olivier Giroud, allowing him to set up Monreal. Ahead of that moment of brilliance, Cazorla had run the show in Arsenal's midfield, keeping Swansea's defenders on their toes.

Andreas Weimann - Aston Villa

Another star man in Villa's win over QPR was Weimann, whose all-action performance helped drive his side to the crucial victory. The Austrian never stopped working against the visitors and saw his reward when he scored a 59th-minute strike to put Villa ahead, firing home left-footed from the edge of the box. He also had a hand in the winner as his cut-back to Christian Benteke allowed the frontman to finish from close range.

Jay Rodriguez - Southampton

In an admirable team effort from Southampton, Rodriguez was another stand-out player, refusing to let Liverpool have a moment's peace. He was involved in much of Southampton's attacking play and, after setting up Schneiderlin for the early opener, Rodriguez put the gloss on the Saints' win with a late strike of his own 10 minutes from time, driving through the Reds' defence before cutting inside to slide the ball past a hapless Brad Jones in the Liverpool goal.

Eden Hazard - Chelsea

Frank Lampard may have hit the headlines after scoring his 200th goal for Chelsea in their 2-0 win over West Ham, but Hazard's display almost threatened to overshadow that landmark. The Belgian had a superb afternoon in the London derby, causing the Hammers problems throughout with a skilful display. His cute chip set up Lampard for his milestone goal in the first half and he then paired up with Juan Mata to great effect to allow his burst into the box for the Blues' second.

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

Footer 365

Wenger plans 'spending spree'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has vowed to invest in new players and use this season as a springboard for success.

David Luiz has thanked outgoing Chelsea coach Rafa Benitez for his help

Chelsea star David Luiz thanked the "amazing" Rafa Benitez for his all help during his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Swansea defender Ashley Williams remains coy about transfer prospects

Ashley Williams claims he expects to stay at Swansea but is remaining coy over the possibility of a summer move.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved