Team of Week 34: Odegaard sinks Chelsea, Brighton’s dominance, Iwobi takes responsibility

Martin Odegaard has been fantastic for Arsenal this season.

PREMIER LEAGUE Team of Week 34: Odegaard sinks Chelsea, Brighton’s dominance, Iwobi takes responsibility

Seye Omidiora 07:15 - 03.05.2023

Following every round of Premier League fixtures, Pulse Sports presents the most impressive performers of the matchday.

Arsenal defeated Chelsea on Tuesday night to return to the top of the Premier League after Manchester City supplanted Mikel Arteta’s side on Sunday.

Here are the top performers from the latest round of action.

Pulse Sports Premier League Team of Week 34

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno (Fulham)

Fulham may have lost 2-1 to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, but Leno’s heroics prevented a heavier defeat for the hosts, especially in the opening half.

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The Cottagers’ shot-stopper made seven saves at Craven Cottage, thwarting Jack Grealish a few times and frustrating Ilkay Gundogan before the break before stopping Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez after the break.

Defenders

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)

Newcastle United were stunned by Southampton’s first-half strike, but the Champions League-chasing side responded after the break to put three past the cellar-dwelling side to win 3-1.

Trippier’s chance creation was vital to the turnaround, even if the right-back did not register an assist.

The full-back fashioned five chances — more than anyone on both teams — and the accuracy of his crossing posed problems for the Saints' defence.

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Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Brighton had it easy in their 6-0 beatdown of Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Dunk played commendably for 90 minutes in the rout.

The centre-back was perfect in the tackle, dominant in the air, made several recoveries (seven) at the Amex, and even fashioned a big chance in the rout of Wolves.

Moussa Niakhate (Nottingham Forest)

Forest’s collapse at Brentford meant Steve Cooper’s team could not register only their second away win in 2022-23, but Niakhate produced a good showing at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The defender made more tackles than anyone on the pitch, was perfect in his duels (winning all seven tussles) and reacted first to many loose balls.

Cooper’s team ended the gameweek in 18th place.

Pervis Estupinan (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Estupinan has had a productive debut season in England, and it was no surprise the left-back was in the thick of the action when the Seagulls demolished Wolves 6-0.

Nobody created more chances (three) than the left-back, who won more fouls (three) than anyone in the game.

The Ecuadorian’s assist was his fourth of the campaign, with that success setting up Roberto De Zerbi’s men for a late European push — the Seagulls are eighth but have three games in hand.

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Midfielders

Pascal Gross (Brighton & Hove Albion)

This Brighton-dominated side showed the best version of themselves, with Gross netting two impressive goals in the resounding success.

The versatile German’s second on the half-volley raised the roof inside the Amex as the fans saw their side score five four Premier League goals in one half for the first time.

Gross’s brace takes him to eight foals for the campaign, with six assists to boot.

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Jefferson Lerma (Bournemouth)

A resounding 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Leeds United puts Bournemouth in a good place, taking the Cherries nine points clear of danger with 12 points to play for.

Lerma fired the hosts ahead with a shot into the top-right corner before pouncing on Illan Meslier’s mistake to score his second.

The Colombia midfielder has scored five this season, and Gary O’Neil’s team are likely safe after claiming six wins in their last nine games.

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Forwards

Alex Iwobi (Everton)

Iwobi was culpable in Leicester City taking a 33rd-minute lead at the King Power Stadium, but the wide playmaker levelled nine minutes into the second half to make it 2-2.

The Nigerian took responsibility after his wayward pass cost his side, and not letting his head drop after that error was commendable.

No player created more chances (three) than Iwobi, who won eight duels against the Foxes.

Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Arsenal needed a response to their Manchester City mauling last week, and Odegaard was decisive in the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat of Chelsea.

The captain scored two well-taken goals to put the home side 2-0 up, continuing a run that has seen the attacking midfielder find the back of the net three times in his last four league appearances.

Arsenal returned to the top of the table after beating their cross-town rivals, with Odegaard taking his season’s tally to 14 goals.

Julio Enciso (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Enciso was a surprise starter ahead of Kaoru Mitoma, and the latter’s absence was not felt as the teenage attacker produced a first-rate showing.

He set up both Gross goals, although the first of the pair was the pick of the assists, and completing three dribbles outdid everyone on the pitch.

All four of Enciso’s goal contributions came in the month of April.

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Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Welbeck ended a five-year wait for a Premier League brace with two in the annihilation of Wolves on Saturday, converting from Estupinan’s cross to make it four and made it five just three minutes after the interlude.

The Englishman has netted six Premier League goals this term, scoring four in April alone.

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