Team of the Week: Brighton duo joined by Liverpool and Manchester United stars

With just two games left to play for most sides, there has still only been one side relegated, and the European race seems to be as close as ever.

Arsenal fell to a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton to all but end their title hopes, with Manchester City’s win at Everton taking them four points clear of the Gunners with a game in hand.

Newcastle also lost out, drawing 2-2 to Leeds United which, coupled with wins from Manchester United and Liverpool, leaves them staring nervously over their shoulders.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest were the only other side towards the bottom to grab a result with a valuable point against Chelsea, while Leicester City were served another thrashing and look certain to be relegated.

Here’s who we picked out as the star men from the most recent weekend of action.

GK: David Raya (Brentford)

Though not likely to be at Brentford next season, Raya is showing no signs of letting that effect his contribution to Thomas Frank’s side in the dying embers of this campaign.

Brentford, London, UK. 14th May 2023; Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, London, England; Premier League Football, Brentford versus West Ham United; Vitaly Janelt of Brentford high fives goalkeeper David Raya of Brentford after the match Credit: Action P 2R1J28C Brentford, London, UK. 14th May 2023; Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, London, England; Premier League Football, Brentford versus West Ham United; Vitaly Janelt of Brentford high fives goalkeeper David Raya of Brentford after the match Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

RB: Moises Caicedo (Brighton)

Out of position and against a side desperate to sign him up this summer, Moises Caicedo turned in an almost flawless performance from right back to help Brighton end Arsenal’s title challenge two games from the finish.

The 21-year-old managed five tackles, 14 duels and won possession back five times as he played his part to perfection in the memorable result.

Moisés Caicedo’s game by numbers vs. Arsenal:

◉ Most duels won (14)
◉ Most tackles made (5)
◉ Most fouls won (5)
◎ 67 touches
◎ 14 duels won
◎ 5 x possession won
◎ 3 take-ons completed

If you can beat them, why join them? 👀 pic.twitter.com/BaARi4dAJm

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 14, 2023

CB: Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace)

Quite how he wasn’t sent off remains a mystery after seemingly punching his opponent, but it was the only blemish on an otherwise excellent performance from the Dane.

Partnering the excellent Marc Guehi, he managed five tackles, the most of anyone on the pitch, as well as winning eight of his 10 duels.

CB: Levi Colwill (Brighton)

Once again, Chelsea appear to have struck gold with their Cobham academy, and Brighton are reaping the rewards this season. Colwill, on loan from the Blues, turned in an excellent performance when asked to man-mark Arsenal talisman Martin Odegaard on Sunday, winning both of his tackles and three of his four duels in a brilliant all-round display.

Now good enough for regular Premier League football, he should be one of the players Mauricio Pochettino builds his new look Chelsea side around.

Levi Colwill vs Arsenal :

• 87% pass accuracy
• 14 long balls completed
• 4 clearances
• 3 interceptions
• 2 tackles
• 3/4 duels won
• 0 times dribbled past

Cobham’s next star. pic.twitter.com/RPBIAzEIGd

— Pys (@CFCPys) May 14, 2023

LB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)

But for a lack of central defenders and a desire not to take the entire Brighton defence, Pervis Estupinan would have taken this spot, but Luke Shaw ran him a very close second.

The Manchester United man was a constant threat down the left flank, creating two chances for teammates. He didn’t skimp defensively either, with four tackles won along with 9 of his 12 duels.

Manchester United’s Luke Shaw during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday May 13, 2023. 2R1DMAC Manchester United’s Luke Shaw during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday May 13, 2023. (Alamy Stock Photo)

RM: Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

Finally getting a run of games in the Liverpool side after suffering injury after injury, Curtis Jones is finally blossoming into the player that Liverpool fans hoped that he would become when he first broke into the side.

The Englishman scored twice to heap the woe on Leicester City, including an excellently taken second effort, and is helping the Reds make a late push for Champions League football.

Curtis Jones scores AGAIN! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/NfqpjIbcqp

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2023

CM: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)

Having scored the crucial goals for Manchester City to lift the Premier League last season, Ilkay Gundogan is repeating the trick 12 months on.

On the back of two goals against Leeds United, the German grabbed another brace against Everton, though he was not given the chance to make it a hat-trick from the spot.

Criminally set to leave Manchester City on a free at the end of the season, he will be almost impossible to replace.

🗣️ “He is having the time of his life!” 🤩

İlkay Gündoğan putting in a masterclass at Goodison 👏 pic.twitter.com/WWdAvcGlma

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 14, 2023

CM: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Eze cannot stop scoring at the moment.

The 24-year-old has become the Crystal Palace talisman since Roy Hodgson took charge, and added another two goals to his name against Bournemouth, including a sensational strike that saw him drive past four Cherries defenders before finding the top corner.

With the form he is in, an England call up seems certain.

Just watch it on repeat, trust us. #CPFC pic.twitter.com/UA4MEmIhvl

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 13, 2023

LM: Bryan Mbuemo (Brentford)

So often second fiddle to the excellent Ivan Toney, the Englishman’s absence allowed Mbuemo to take centre stage for Brentford.

Opening the scoring against a much-changed West Ham side, he managed three shots on target and created two chances for his teammates in a brilliant all-round display.

No player for either Brentford and West Ham completed more dribbles than Bryan Mbuemo (4/4).

Dancing feet. 🕺 pic.twitter.com/lMqyuay1iE

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 14, 2023

ST: Taiyo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)

For the second week in a row, Taiyo Awoniyi popped up with two vital goals for his side and has been rewarded with a spot in this side. The Nigerian has, as mentioned last week, been absent for much of the campaign but he has re-appeared at a vital time to help Forest take four points from their last two games, and move three points clear of the drop zone with just two games to play.

Another Moussa throw-in causing problems 🚀 pic.twitter.com/imFpvORE6o

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 14, 2023

ST: Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)

It was a tale of two strikers at Elland Road, with Patrick Bamford seeing his spot kick saved in the first half, before Callum Wilson converted his just 90 seconds later.

The Englishman doubled his tally again from the spot in the second half, and though Leeds fought back for a draw, it left them a long way from safety. They have Wilson to thank for that.

10 – Callum Wilson has scored 10 goals in the Premier League since the start of April, the most of any player in Europe’s top 10 leagues. Thriving. pic.twitter.com/KxZAjB6sVC

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 13, 2023

Full team

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