Pharaoh Marmoush's coronation and Merino's change of role: the EPL team of the week

From February 14 to 16, the matches of the 25th round of the Premier League took place.

Brighton crushed Chelsea, while Manchester City defeated Newcastle. After beating Leicester, Arsenal extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches. Aston Villa played to a draw with Ipswich.

Brentford secured an away victory over West Ham, Bournemouth also triumphed on the road against Southampton, and Everton defeated Crystal Palace. Fulham unexpectedly beat Nottingham.

Liverpool, despite not registering a single shot on target in the second half, still managed to defeat Wolverhampton. Manchester United suffered a narrow away defeat to Tottenham, failing to score for the 10th time this season.

Premier League Team of the Week – Round 25

• Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)

The Italian marked his return from injury with a clean sheet. In the first half against Manchester United, Vicario saved his team from conceding by stopping Garnacho’s shot.

Overall, his six saves helped Spurs maintain defensive solidity, secure three points, and climb to 12th place in the table.

• Left-back: Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford)

In the away match against West Ham, Keane registered two tackles, two clearances, and one interception. He completed 28 passes (82% accuracy), including nine long balls, two key passes, and one cross.

Lewis-Potter won both of his aerial duels and four out of seven ground duels. He also had one shot on target and completed one successful dribble.

Centre-back: Ben Davies (Tottenham)

In the victory over Manchester United, the Welshman made six clearances, along with one tackle and one blocked shot. He completed 77 passes (94% accuracy), including one key pass and one long ball.

Out of eight duels on the ground and in the air, he emerged victorious in five.

• Centre-back: Adam Webster (Brighton)

Against Chelsea, Adam recorded seven clearances and contributed with two interceptions, two tackles, and two blocked shots. Webster completed 46 passes (78% accuracy), including seven long balls. The Englishman won three ground duels and one aerial duel.

• Right-back: Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)

The 20-year-old Gambian scored two of Brighton’s three goals against Chelsea. The last time Minteh registered a brace was in April 2024 when he played for Feyenoord Rotterdam.

In addition, Yankuba made five tackles, one clearance, and one interception. Out of 17 duels on the ground and in the air, he won 12 and also completed three successful dribbles.

• Central midfielder: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)

For the first time since July 2023, Christie recorded both a goal and an assist in a single match. Interestingly, the last time this happened was also against Southampton.

The Scotsman completed 47 passes (87% accuracy), including five long balls, two key passes, and one cross. Ryan won seven out of 12 duels, made three clearances, two tackles, and one interception.

• Central midfielder: James Maddison (Tottenham)

Having missed Tottenham’s last five matches, James needed only 13 minutes to score the goal that secured Spurs a crucial three points.

• Left winger: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)

In the 30th minute against Chelsea, the Japanese winger controlled a pass from the goalkeeper beautifully and, with three touches, slotted the ball past the Blues’ defense.

Mitoma also won both of his aerial duels and came out on top in five out of nine ground duels. He registered one clearance, one tackle, and one interception.

• Right winger: Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

Against Leicester, Ethan completed six out of seven successful dribbles. He won 12 out of 15 duels and completed 28 passes (88% accuracy), including three key passes, two incisive passes, and one long ball, as well as providing an assist.

The 17-year-old Englishman registered his fourth goal contribution. Only Wayne Rooney (12), Michael Owen (8), and Cesc Fàbregas (6) had more Premier League goal contributions before turning 18. Nwaneri came close to scoring himself but struck the post twice.

• Attacking midfielder: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)

In just his third match for the Cityzens, Marmoush netted a hat-trick, scoring all three goals within 15 minutes. Additionally, the Egyptian maintained an 88% pass accuracy, delivered three crosses, won three fouls, made two interceptions, and registered one clearance.

• Striker: Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

The Spaniard entered the match in the 69th minute with the score tied at 0-0, playing as a striker. Just 12 minutes later, he opened the scoring, and seven minutes after that, he bagged a brace. This was Merino’s first-ever match playing as a striker.

“A good day to score. I forgot to buy my wife a Valentine’s Day gift, so I’m dedicating these goals to her. I think she’ll appreciate it more than chocolates or roses,” joked the Spaniard after the game.

• Coach: David Moyes (Everton)

In Round 25, the Scottish manager’s team secured an away victory over Crystal Palace. Earlier in the week, in their rescheduled Round 15 match, Everton earned a draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.

Since David Moyes’ return, no team has earned more points (13) than Everton (four wins and one draw). The Toffees’ unbeaten streak has now reached five matches.