Premier League Team of the Week: McNeil, Palmer and Van de Ven shine bright

Mads Hermansen’s heroics, Micky van de Ven’s electrifying display, Dwight McNeil’s game-changing performance, and Cole Palmer’s record-setting outing headline this week’s Premier League standout performances.

This week’s Premier League action delivered unforgettable moments, showcasing some of the league's biggest stars and rising talents stepping into the spotlight.

Despite Leicester City's tough defeat, Hermansen shone brightly as the top goalkeeper with a remarkable 13 saves.

Tottenham’s Van de Ven dazzled with his electrifying pace and pinpoint assist against Manchester United, while McNeil powered Everton to a crucial victory with a stunning brace.

And in a record-setting performance, Palmer made history by netting four goals in a single half for Chelsea.

Join Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo as he breaks down the top performers in this week’s Premier League Team of the Week

Mads Hermansen (Leicester City) – Goalkeeper

In a match where Leicester City faced a heavy defeat, Hermansen emerged as a beacon of hope, proving himself as the weekend’s top goalkeeper.

Despite conceding four goals, Hermansen's resilience shone through as he racked up an impressive 13 saves - the most since David de Gea's remarkable 14 against Arsenal in December 2017.

Nine of these saves came from shots within the box, showcasing his shot-stopping prowess.

By preventing 2.74 expected goals and delivering the third-most long passes among goalkeepers this weekend, Hermansen’s efforts kept Leicester from a potentially disastrous loss, solidifying his reputation as a true "one-man wall".

Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City) – Left-back

Gvardiol turned heads with a stellar all-around performance against Newcastle, blending defensive solidity with attacking flair.

The Croatian left-back not only netted a brilliant goal but also made his mark in the opposition box with five touches and two successful take-ons, boasting an impressive 86% retention rate.

On the defensive end, Gvardiol was equally effective, tallying two clearances, two interceptions and winning two tackles.

His unique blend of strength, skill and composure made him a standout performer in a thrilling match.

Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur) – Centre-back

Van de Ven continued to impress with his electrifying display against Manchester United, earning his place in our EPL Team of the Week once more.

The Tottenham speedster showcased his blistering pace with a stunning run that left several United players in his wake, setting up Brennan Johnson for an early goal with a pinpoint cross.

While his defensive duties were limited, van de Ven's positioning was vital in thwarting United's attacks.

Adding to his impressive season, he now leads Spurs in assists for the Premier League - a remarkable feat for a centre-back.

READ MORE: Man Utd analysis: Enough is enough…it’s time for Erik ten Hag to go

Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) – Centre-back

Although Crystal Palace fell short of victory, Guehi delivered a defensive masterclass at Goodison Park.

Fresh off an outstanding Euros campaign that earned him praise as many called him England's best centre-back, Guehi opened the scoring with a well-placed goal in the first 10 minutes.

He showcased his defensive prowess with 10 clearances, a perfect record in four ground duels, and success in six aerial battles.

Regaining possession nine times and completing nine out of 11 long passes, Guehi is on a mission to cement his status as a starting centre-back for England in upcoming tournaments.

James Justin (Leicester City) – Right-back

In a match where Leicester City faced disappointment, Justin emerged as a true standout.

For the first time in his career, the right-back scored twice, starting with a powerful header in the second half and following it up with a sensational volley to equalise.

His exceptional technique on that volley demonstrated his attacking prowess, but Justin also shone defensively, making 10 clearances and winning four ground duels and three aerial duels.

His versatility and impactful play from the backline showcased why he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Lewis Cook (Bournemouth) – Midfielder

After back-to-back defeats, Lewis Cook stepped up as Bournemouth's captain, delivering an inspiring performance against Southampton.

Not only did he register two dazzling assists, but Cook's influence was felt all over the pitch with 61 touches, six ball recoveries, four duels won, and four chances created.

His defensive contributions were equally impressive, with two interceptions, two clearances, and 30 successful passes.

Cook's all-around brilliance earned him a rightful place in the team of the week and a spotlight for his leadership on a critical night.

Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur) – Midfielder

Among a sea of exceptional performances for Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham, Kulusevski truly shone.

Operating in a deeper role on the right side of a three-man midfield, he still managed to make a massive impact, netting Tottenham's second goal shortly after half-time.

Kulusevski etched his name in the record books by creating nine chances, the most by a visiting player in a Premier League match at Old Trafford since the 2003/2004 season.

With an impressive 89% pass accuracy, he also contributed defensively with five defensive actions while creating three big chances and delivering three passes into the final third.

Kulusevski's all-around brilliance was crucial in securing Spurs' dominance.

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Dwight McNeil (Everton) - Forward

In a must-win clash against Crystal Palace, Dwight McNeil rose to the occasion, delivering a crucial performance that showcased his value to Everton's survival hopes.

With the Toffees desperate for their first league victory of the season, McNeil first curled a stunning equaliser into the top corner from distance before sealing the win with a powerful strike from a tight angle.

His two sensational goals were just the tip of the iceberg: McNeil overperformed his expected goals by 1.75, capitalising on both of his shots on target.

Transitioning to a more advanced number 10 role, he has already matched his goal tally from last season and is lighting up the league with 21 chances created, leading all players.

McNeil is thriving, proving to be the spark of quality Everton desperately needs to move forward this season.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – Forward

Palmer put on a show for Chelsea, making Premier League history by scoring four first-half goals in just 20 minutes against Brighton. This included a jaw-dropping 30-yard free-kick.

Despite hitting the post, having a goal ruled out for offside, and missing a chance in the second half, Palmer's contributions were vital in securing a dominant win for the Blues.

Beyond his scoring exploits, he ranked first in tackles won, chances created, big chances created, and shots taken, solidifying his reputation as not just a generational talent for Chelsea but for the Premier League as a whole.

After winning the PFA Young Player of the Year last year, Palmer is proving he’s among the league’s brightest stars, making a strong case for back-to-back accolades.

Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) - Forward

Antoine Semenyo continues to shine as one of Bournemouth's standout players this season, consistently delivering impressive performances.

In Monday night’s clash against Southampton, the Ghana international played a pivotal role, not only assisting in the Cherries' opener but also scoring a superb second goal that showcased his remarkable growth.

Semenyo finished with the most shots, the most shots in the box, and the most possession wins in the final third, illustrating his relentless attacking threat.

His passing accuracy of 89% further underscores his effectiveness on the ball. As he consistently troubles opposing defenders, Semenyo is undoubtedly a player to watch, solidifying his importance in Andoni Iraola’s plans.

Liam Delap (Ipswich Town) – Forward

After facing criticism for his previous performance against Brighton, Liam Delap bounced back brilliantly, scoring twice in Ipswich's draw with Aston Villa.

His all-around game was markedly improved, particularly his ability to hold up play.

Delap could have easily netted a hat-trick, but his brace made him the youngest player to score two goals for Ipswich in the Premier League.

His composure shone through, especially with his second goal, where he skilfully evaded Diego Carlos before finding the net.

Having come a long way since his time in Manchester City's FA Cup-winning youth team in 2020, alongside talents like Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, Delap continues to make an impact in the league.

Remarkably, four years later all three players of that City youth team found the back of the net this weekend, showcasing their ongoing development and influence.