Casemiro partners Odegaard in midfield in Premier League team of the week
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the star man in the first Premier League team of the week following the World Cup break, while Newcastle star Kieran Trippier once again makes the XI. Stars from Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool also make the cut as we rattle through the side.
Vicente Guaita (Crystal Palace) - 7.62
Once Crystal Palace went down to nine men on Boxing Day, it was only a matter of time before they folded in their eventual 3-0 loss to Fulham. Vicente Guaita may have shipped three at Selhurst Park, yet Palace would have suffered a far heavier loss were the Spaniard not in good form as he made seven saves to help land a WhoScored rating of 7.62.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) - 9.02
A regular feature in the Premier League team of the week, Kieran Trippier didn't let the World Cup break impact his form as he occupies the right-back spot with a WhoScored rating of 9.02. Trippier claimed his fourth assist of the season as he provided for Joelinton on the half hour mark in Newcastle's 3-0 win at Leicester, that coming from one of four key passes. The 32-year-old also made four interceptions and three tackles to feature.
If Tim Ream was feeling the effects of a testing World Cup campaign with the USA, he certainly didn't show it on Boxing Day as he features at the heart of the defence in the team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 8.34. Of course, once Crystal Palace were reduced to nine men, Ream was going to enjoy a routine afternoon in south London, but the experienced centre-back was still on hand to make three tackles, while 91.9% of his 71 passes found a teammate. Factor in his second half goal, and the 35-year-old warrants his selection.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.98
The first of two Liverpool players in the side, Virgil van Dijk scored the Reds' crucial second on their way to a 3-1 Boxing Day win at Aston Villa. The Dutchman was effective at picking out a teammate at Villa Park, returning a 90.5% pass success rate from his 60 attempted passes, and was often in the right place at the right time to protect the Liverpool goal having made nine clearances and three interceptions to return a WhoScored rating of 7.98.
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) - 7.66
Rounding off the backline is the second Liverpool representative, and a record breaker. Andrew Robertson provided the assist for Mohamed Salah's opener at Aston Villa on Monday evening, his fifth of the season, but crucially, his 54th in Premier League history, more than any other defender. That assist came from one of two key passes, while an additional two tackles sees Robertson feature at left-back with a WhoScored rating of 7.66.
Prior to Boxing Day, Solly March had had 27 shots without scoring in the Premier League this season, more than any other player. His 28th, though, was a stunning effort in Brighton's 3-1 win over Southampton as March beat Gavin Bazunu from distance, finding the top corner from 25 yards. In addition, the Seagulls winger provided the assist for Adam Lallana's opening goal at St. Mary's, those coming from respective returns of one shot and three key passes, as the 28-year-old earned a WhoScored rating of 9.14.
Casemiro (Manchester United) - 9.18
Casemiro was one of Brazil's better performers in their doomed World Cup campaign, and was far and away the best Manchester United player in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. The former Real Madrid man provided the assist for compatriot Fred late on at Old Trafford, that coming from one of three key passes. Five tackles and three interceptions means Casemiro is good value for his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 9.18.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) - 8.43
Having bagged a brace at Wolves prior to the World Cup break, Martin Odegaard returned a pair of assists as Arsenal made a winning return to domestic duties as they beat West Ham 3-1 on Boxing Day. Odegaard provided for Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah either side of Gabriel Martinelli's second half goal at the Emirates, those coming from five key passes. Additional returns of two dribbles and one tackles sees the 24-year-old partner Casemiro in the middle of the park in the Premier League team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 8.43.
Joelinton is the second Newcastle player in the side having garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.82 in their 3-0 win at Leicester on Boxing Day. The Brazilian scored the Magpies' third on the half hour mark, beating Danny Ward with one of two efforts on goal, and he retained the ball well having returned a 92.6% pass success rate. Three clearances, three interceptions and one tackle capped a fine showing from Joeltinon.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) - 9.23
With a rating of 9.23, Aleksandar Mitrovic is the Premier League player of the week. The Serbian hitman was directly involved in two of Fulham's three goals against Crystal Palace, providing the opener for Bobby De Cordova-Reid, before getting on the scoresheet with 10 minutes to play. Seven shots, four aerial duels won and two key passes saw Mitrovic return a WhoScored rating of 9.23.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 8.76
Erling Haaland made a goalscoring return to Premier League action as he netted twice in Manchester City's 3-1 win at Leeds on Wednesday night. Haaland now has 20 league goals to his name this season, with his brace at Elland Road coming from eight shots as the Norwegian striker partners Mitrovic on the frontline having earned a WhoScored rating of 8.76.
