Much was at stake in this marvellous Premier League matchweek, as clubs continued to scrap for a top four spot and both Burnley and QPR fell through the trap door to return to the Championship next term. Hull City are now odds-on at 4/11 to join them, or 2/1 to survive.
Here are our picks from players whose brilliance or battling earned them a spot in Coral’s superb matchweek 36 starting XI.
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: David de Gea (Manchester United) Just when you think the Spanish custodian can’t possibly get any better, he pulls out all the stops. There was no clean sheet for devilishly good De Gea, but the young keeper dragged Manchester United out of the fire once more, denying Glenn Murray in style.
Right back: Seamus Coleman (Everton) Coleman may have been on the losing side, but never let up with his attacking forays and lung-busting runs down the right flank. Does a summer switch beckon?
Centre back: Sebastian Coates (Sunderland) The Liverpool-owned centre half has come into his own under Dick Advocaat and continues to seize his chance with impressive performances. Against Everton the 24-year-old was strong to help secure the Black Cats (9/2 to be relegated) a crucial clean sheet.
Centre back: John Terry (Chelsea) Terry put in a true captain’s performance against Liverpool, firing his club in front with a powerful header within 5 minutes to become the Premier League’s highest scoring defender in history, and repelled the guests with a host of well-timed tackles.
Left back: Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland) Aleksandar Kolarov certainly deserves plaudits for his cracking free kick but Man City were coasting against QPR, so vivacious Van Aanholt gets the nod ahead of the swashbuckling Serbian. Having nearly scored a stunner himself, the Dutch defender went on to nullify Aaron Lennon.
Left wing: David Silva (Manchester City) Spanish playmaker Silva pulled the strings with aplomb against QPR, who struggled against the schemer, and capped-off his outing with a cool and casual finish for the final goal.
Defensive midfield: Esteban Cambiasso (Leicester City) The South American’s composed presence once again helped the in-form Foxes to a win and a clean sheet, and the Argentine almost added a goal to his efforts in the engine room.
Central midfield: Tom Cleverley (Aston Villa) Cleverley’s recent performances show just what a little confidence can do. The much-maligned Manchester United-owned midfielder is finally starting to show his value to Villa, and worked his socks off against West Ham United, contributing his third goal in three outings.
Right wing: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) Rampant wingman Mahrez has been threatening to come good in recent cameos, and is the latest Foxes attacking threat to step up and claim responsibility. A brilliant brace from the Algeria international could be a defining action in the Foxes’ future.
Centre forward: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) Sharp, alert and electric Aguero makes the grade in our starting XI as he went five clear of Harry Kane in the Premier League top scorer charts. A hat-trick plus a smart assist made the excellent Argentine City’s hero of the hour.
Centre forward: Danny Ings (Burnley) Ings toiled throughout but his efforts were in vain as Burnley succumbed to relegation. Yet the striker will likely stay in the top tier, and partners Aguero in our team for breaking his 10 game drought and Sean Dyche’s six-game winless streak.
