Matchday FM Team of the Week: Matchday Six

Each week, Matchday FM pundit Chris Coughlin will bring you his Team of the Week from the top flight, as well as some honourable mentions who just missed the cut.

Goalkeeper: Jose Sa - Wolves

A huge win for Wolves early on in the season and Jose Sa played his part at both ends.

The Portugal international made six saves for Bruno Lage's side and ultimately provided the assist for Raul Jimenez to score his first goal since October 2020.

Right-back: Sergi Canos - Brentford

A man who made just one Premier League appearance for Liverpool, Sergi Canos tormented his former employers last weekend.

He provided the cross which led to Ethan Pinnock's opener and was a constant threat down the right where the crosses for both Brentford equalisers came from.

Canos, as much as any of his Bees team mates, looks at home in the top flight this term.

Defender: Kourtney Hause - Aston Villa

The irony is that Kourtney Hause was only playing due to Axel Tuanzebe being ineligible against his parent club but he definitely took his opportunity.

He kept Cristiano Ronaldo and co quiet before popping up with a late header to snatch a dramatic win for Dean Smith's side.

Admittedly, that hard work was nearly undone with a late handball to gift United a spot kick which Bruno Fernandes blazed over but Hause has staked his claim to get back into Villa's new look formation.

Defender: Ruben Dias - Manchester City

Just how good has Ruben Dias been since joining Manchester City?

The 2021 PFA Player of the Year is part of a defence who haven't conceded a league goal since the opening day of the season and, with Dias' guidance, they hardly looked like doing so at Stamford Bridge.

Left-back: Joao Cancelo - Man City

Joao Cancelo is a superb attacking full-back but he shows his defensive side to great effect against Chelsea.

The Portugal international made four interceptions, two key passes and won four aerial duels as Pep Guardiola's side made a real statement at Stamford Bridge.

He also gained a rather fortuitous assist when his strike was collected and finished by Gabriel Jesus but they all count.

Right-midfield: Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

The youngest man to produce a goal and an assist in the Premier League era, Bukayo Saka was unplayable in the first half of the North London Derby.

Predominantly left-footed, Saka showed his quality with his right against Spurs as it was the source of his assist for Smith-Rowe before drilling home the game clinching third before half-time.

It's great to see his fortunes are turning around following the Euro 2020 final, this is a boy with potentially the world at his feet.

Central midfield: Abdoulaye Doucoure - Everton

Rafa Benitez has challenged Abdoulaye Doucoure to score five league goals this season and two in six games so far isn't bad going in the early weeks of the season.

Everton made hard work of claiming the three points against Norwich but Doucoure's driven strike from Demarai Gray's layoff finally secured the victory late on.

I said earlier this season that I'm a big fan of Doucoure, I've just never been sure what his main responsibilities are but he showed with his finish against Norwich that he a man more than capable of hitting his target this season.

Central midfield: Vitaly Janelt - Brentford

Brentford quite rightly received heaps of praise for their draw against Liverpool with Janelt at the heart of it.

The German midfielder is more known for his industrious work in the centre of the park for the Bees but he popped up when it matter to head home the goal that made it 2-2 at a time when Liverpool looked to have seized control of the contest.

It's been some year for the 2021 U21 Euro winner.

Left-midfield: Emile Smith-Rowe - Arsenal

Much like Saka, Smith-Rowe was a man possessed in the first 45 at the Emirates.

He joined his fellow wide-man in grabbing a goal and an assist against Spurs, netting the opener before providing for Aubameyang's strike.

It's been a tough start to the season for the Gunners but if Saka and ESR can continue to combine then the future looks bright at least.

Forward: Raul Jimenez - Wolves

A big goal for both club and player.

It's been a long road back for Raul Jimenez after suffering a fractured skull last season but the Mexican's first Premier League goal for 336 days will have been well worth the wait.

Wolves' number nine showed great strength to see off Jan Bednarek before his composure took over to get past Mohamed Salisu before finishing calmly beyond Alex McCarthy.

As the song goes - Give the ball to Raul and he will score.

Forward: Michail Antonio - West Ham

Back in the side after suspension & back among the goals, you can't keep Michail Antonio out of the headlines this season

For the most part, it was a quiet match for West Ham's top scorer but he showed up when it truly mattered - only the third 90th minute defeat that Leeds have suffered at Elland Road in the Premier League era.

West Ham's main man is in the mood.

Honourable mentions

Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez - Aston Villa

The Argentine has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the league since joining Aston Villa and he played a huge part in their first win at Old Trafford since 2009.

Martinez made four saves against United and, whilst he didn't even have to save Bruno Fernandes' wild spot kick, he certainly let the United fans know he enjoyed the blazed effort.

Defender: Tyrone Mings - Aston Villa

There were plenty of defensive heroes for Aston Villa and Tyrone Mings was another one who stood out.

The England international spoke before the game about how he was relishing the challenge of going up against Ronaldo and he kept the iconic forward quiet with a brilliant display.

Midfielder: Curtis Jones - Liverpool

In the absence of one young midfielder in Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones has a chance to stake a claim for a starting spot for the Reds and he did his chances no harm on Saturday.

An all round strong display in central midfield was capped off with a thunderous strike even if it did take a slight deflection on the way through.

Jurgen Klopp has since called for more displays like this from the young scouser to make his mark at Anfield.

Forward: Jamie Vardy - Leicester

It was an eventful afternoon to say the least for Jamie Vardy at both ends.

It began with an own goal to give Burnley the lead before Leicester's talisman produced two equalisers to earn Brendan Rodgers' side a point after what had been a difficult couple of weeks.