Man City provide a quartet of players in this week's Team of the Week, while reborn Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet gets the nod once again.
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TEAMtalk's Top Men: (3-5-2) Mignolet; Ivanovic, Skrtel, Shackell; Toure, Cambiasso, Nasri, Shelvey, Silva; Dzeko, Welbeck
Simon Mignolet (Liverpool): The rampant Reds took a huge, swaggering stride towards Champions League qualification on Sunday, their in-form glovesman keeping Southampton at bay. Buoyed by a series of impressive displays, Mignolet's excellent 2015 continued as Liverpool claimed a fifth consecutive clean sheet on their travels for the first time since 1985. Some achievement. Only weeks from his high-profile dumping by Brendan Rodgers, Mignolet's admirable recovery continues in earnest.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea): Another week, another crucial goal for Jose Mourinho's prolific full-back. The Serbian's fourth strike in six games, largely thanks to Eden Hazard's dizzying wizardry, edged Chelsea a point closer in their quest for Premier League glory. Their home draw with Burnley, steeped in controversy, mired in vexation, may have got tongues wagging for very different reasons, but Ivanovic's exceptional form should not be ignored. Finally, Chelsea's unsung hero is getting the attention his performances justifiably warrant.
Martin Skrtel (Liverpool): Arguably the main beneficiary of Rodgers' tactical tinkering, Skrtel's impeccable organisation and intelligent awareness provided the basis for a vital away win. Liverpool's free-flowing 3-4-2-1 may have unlocked Philippe Coutinho's infinite potential, bestowed Raheem Sterling space to weave, but their defensive progression owes incessant gratification to their Slovakian bruiser. Keeping Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane quiet? Impressive. Making Dejan Lovren appear assured? Miraculous.
Jason Shackell (Burnley): Whether through perfect planning or sheer blind luck, the Clarets stole their first ever top-tier points from the league leader's hitherto impenetrable fortress. Chelsea's multilateral attack, the dazzling Hazard, barnstorming Diego Costa and fleet-footed Juan Cuadrado, toiled in unison in the face of Burnley's determined display. The uncompromising Shackell, a true throwback to the heady days of black-booted, no nonsense defensive diligence, silenced Mourinho's title-tilting charges. Well, metaphorically anyway...
Yaya Toure (Manchester City): City toiled in Toure's absence, lacking guidance and thrust without their barnstorming figurehead. Inevitably, his overdue return awakened the champions from their winter slumber. Toure's languid, almost arrogant, panache carved apart Newcastle's beleaguered midfield; opponents gravitating towards City's enigmatic talisman, giving their dextrous playmakers havoc-wreaking room. The V8 in Manuel Pellegrini's custom made supercar; sleek and beautiful but ultimately one-paced without its explosive engine.
Esteban Cambiasso (Leicester): The 34-year old haughtily defied father time, rolling back the years with a virtuoso performance against Everton. Age is but a number, after all. His superb tactical awareness and intelligent distribution, not to mention well taken goal, inspired Leicester to an impressive draw at Goodison Park. Breaking up the play with prolific regularity, the former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Argentina lynchpin marshalled the midfield battle; a battle-worn veteran eyeing one last hurrah.
Samir Nasri (Manchester City): Injuries halted the enigmatic Frenchman this season, City appearing startlingly predictable in his enforced absence. Despite James Milner's industry and discipline, Pellegrini's inconsistent charges were a different proposition upon his return to form. Dovetailing beautifully with Spanish schemer David Silva, Nasri's vision, movement and neatly taken goal helped the Champions close the gap in another enthralling title race.
Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea): Garry Monk's Swans soared at the Liberty, claiming a historic double over Manchester United. Ex-Liverpool midfielder Shelvey, habitually, if optimistically compared to Steven Gerrard, delivered a performance worthy of his former team-mate on Saturday. Shelvey's delectable cross created Ki Sung-Yong's equaliser before a trademark long-ranger stunned the Red Devils, via the back of Bafetimbi Gomis. A far cry from Liverpool's captain fantastic maybe, but Shelvey is his own man, a wonderfully gifted footballer in his own right.
David Silva (Manchester City): Beautifully balanced and sumptuously delicate, City's suave Spaniard wrote, directed and ultimately starred in their 5-0 exhibition against Newcastle. Taking his league tally to nine with two clinical finishes, Silva's multifaceted majesty hogged the headlines. Rightfully so. With Edin Dzeko in particular benefitting from the Spaniard's exceptional form, not to mention his genius through ball, City's lingering title hopes rest squarely on Silva's sloping shoulders.
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City): The Bosnian finally returned to the scoresheet, his expert touch and clinical finish capping a performance of total, incessant domination. Dzeko's excellent movement and impressive team ethic provided a welcome boost for Pellegrini's previously profligate champions, linking superbly with Nasri and Silva. While Wilfried Bony's winter arrival triggered speculation over Dzeko's future, his inspired performance on Saturday should lay any lingering speculation to rest.
Danny Welbeck (Arsenal): While Olivier Giroud netted again in Saturday's nervy triumph at Selhust Park, it was his much maligned partner who rightly snatched the plaudits. Welbeck's tireless, direct approach forced errors aplenty from the home defence, offering Arsenal's dead-eyed playmakers, including the inevitably impressive Mesut Ozil, with a reliable outlet. Having harried and hustled Papa Souare into clumsy, penalty-inducing foul, Welbeck's perfectly timed run enabled in-form Giroud the slot the second. For an Arsenal side valuing technique above tenacity, the England international provides a crucial Plan B.
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