Premier League Team of the Week – Ndiaye, Nketiah, Raya | OneFootball

Our Premier League Team of the Week following the penultimate round of games in the 2024/25 season, featuring names from Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Everton.

Goalkeeper: David Raya – Arsenal

Forced into repeated action early on against Newcastle, including one save that saw him recover from his own wayward pass. However, the Spaniard put on a shot-stopping clinic, making five saves inside the opening 20 minutes alone. One brilliant double-stop from Dan Burn’s header and Sven Botman’s follow-up helped Arsenal to a clean sheet and Champions League qualification.

Right-back: Reece James – Chelsea

The sort of quality we’ve not seen consistently from Chelsea’s captain due to injury issues. With his side in search of a breakthrough, James dug out a sublime assist for Marc Cucurella’s winner against Manchester United. It could be a big moment in Chelsea’s campaign.

Centre-back: Nikola Milenkovic – Nottingham Forest

A crucial winner at West Ham and plenty of vital interventions throughout at the London Stadium. The Serbian centre-back has been arguably the signing of the season, providing a huge presence in both boxes for Forest. His fifth goal of the season could be his most important yet.

Center-back: Jakub Kiwior – Arsenal

Jakub Kiwior’s career at Arsenal appeared uncertain in January, but an injury to Gabriel Maghalaes has handed him an extended run in the side. The Polish defender was excellent in the 1-0 win over Newcastle, racking up a mammoth 11 clearances at the Emirates and putting in one superb delivery that Arsenal should have capitalised on.

Left-back: Vitalii Mykolenko – Everton

A typically tenacious outing from the Ukrainian as Everton won 2-0 against Southampton in Goodison Park’s farewell fixture. Mykolenko ventured forward confidently when required and won 11/12 defensive duels in a top performance.

Midfield: Boubacar Kamara – Aston Villa

Boubacar Kamara has been a driving force in Aston Villa’s season, and the Frenchman was the standout again against Tottenham. The visitors struggled to get near the midfielder, who offered calm assurance and duel-winning at the base of the midfield. A quality performance was capped with a first-ever Premier League goal, drilled in from the edge of the area.

Midfield: Tom Cairney – Fulham

Tom Cairney’s future at Fulham is unclear, but the midfielder proved he’s still got plenty in the tank. Off the bench at Brentford, he helped turn around the West London derby with a captain’s performance. Cairney took up good areas, demanded possession, and equalised with a towering header to spark the comeback.

Midfield: Brajan Gruda – Brighton

Brajan Gruda has taken time to settle at Brighton, but he looks at home now. The German earned a standing ovation on just his seventh start of the Premier League campaign, leading Brighton’s comeback win against champions Liverpool.

Produced a fine assist for Yasin Ayari and was unfortunate not to have more, setting up Simon Adingra and Danny Welbeck for chances with moments of real quality. The 20-year-old looks like a top talent.

Forward: Omar Marmoush – Manchester City

What a goal!

Omar Marmoush might just have wrapped up the Goal of the Season award in May. The Egyptian’s early stunner set Manchester City on their way to a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, a result that edges the Citizens closer to Champions League football. A livewire all game, he’s injected a freshness into an ageing side.

Forward: Iliman Ndiaye – Everton

Iliman Ndiaye wrote his name into the history books with the final goals at Goodison Park. The Senegal midfielder was on target twice as Everton beat Southampton 2-0 in a fitting farewell to the ground. After taking the ball on the half-turn and smashing a finish past Aaron Ramsdale, he showed his classy composure to skip around the goalkeeper and turn in a second late in the first half.

Forward: Eddie Nketiah – Crystal Palace

Made the most of a rare start to score twice in Crystal Palace’s 4-2 win over Wolves.

Nketiah’s equaliser arrived after an enterprising run from Romain Esse, with the former steadying himself to fire in a sharp finish. He was in the right place to meet Ismaila Sarr’s cross for the second, as Palace continued the bounce from FA Cup success at the weekend. Nketiah has failed to command a regular role this season, but seven goals in 12 starts show what he is all about.

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