Team of the Week

Petr Cech runs Thomas Sorenson close for the number one jersey this week but just pips it by dint of the fact he played very well. Cech was probably the busier of the two keepers in Chelsea's semi-final with Blackburn Rovers but saves from David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen and a fantastic stop from a mis-guided John Terry header kept Rovers at bay.

His team-mate Ricardo Carvalho had to be solid to keep out the persistent Blackburn attacks during the 120 minutes they played on Sunday. He was firm in the tackle and dealt with any aerial threat that came his way. His presence in the back four alongside John Terry gives Chelsea a formidable platform to go on and win tight games like these.

Ryan Nelsen gave a captain's performance in the heart of the Blackburn defence but could not alter the course of their result with Chelsea. He threw himself in to challenges and in quick succession in the second half denied both Joe Cole and kept out Frank Lampard's cross from a dangerous position. Hard luck on the New Zealander.

Sheffield United skipper Phil Jagielka finds himself in Team of the Week by virtue of a scoring role in the Blades convincing 3-0 win over West Ham in what was a crucial game in the battle against relegation. Jags' deftly taken header in the second half made the score 2-0 and was the goal that ended the contest. An important goal in an important game from arguably Sheff Utd's most important player.

It has probably been said before in this column but Matthew Taylor must be one of the most underrated players in the Premier League; not only has this left-back turned left-winger got pace, drive, determination, passing vision and the ability to tackle, but he is also the proud owner of one of the most devastating left feet in the league. Case in point came on Saturday when Taylor scored his third goal of the week and his second absolute stunner. His 35-yard drive and an assist for Benjani's goal in the 2-1 home win over Newcastle makes Taylor a shoo-in for Team of the Week.

He might not be universally popular, but Alan Smith deserves the respect of all football fans for his determination to battle back from a horrific injury 18 months ago. Smith rehabilitation reached it's conclusion this week after a great goal over Roma in Man Utd's 7-1 win and for a delightful cameo performance in the 4-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Watford on Saturday. His dummy to release Rooney for the opener was sweet, as was his work setting-up Rooney's second goal and Richardson's gloss-adding fourth.

In a relatively uneventful game Icelandic midfielder Brynjar Gunnarson put in solid performance. The Reading man proved a constant handful for his Fulham counterparts as he challenged for every loose ball and he was also a threat going forward testing Antti Niemi.

Cesc Fabregas takes his place in the midfield after scoring, incredibly, his first goal of the season. The little Spaniard has set his standards so high that it is something of a shock that he is not approaching double figures instead. He scored the winner just after the break to give Arsenal the points after Bolton took the lead at the Emirates.

The erratic Thomas Rosicky stepped up to the mark in the absence of Henry and Van Persie to score Arsenal's first goal against Bolton. His all-round contribution was important to the win and he showed great awareness to nip in ahead of Nicky Hunt to reach the ball first and blast it home from close range.

Robbie Keane twice pulled Spurs back in to their match at relegation threatened Wigan. In a pulsating 3-3 draw, Keane first levelled the game at 2-2 with a well struck penalty. Nothing too special about that but his second was a peach, beating the Wigan defence to loft a ball over the head of Wigan keeper John Filan from twenty-five yards.

It seems that after a season of falling below his own stratospheric standards Wayne Rooney is finally recapturing the form that made him one the most feared player in the division. Watford may not be the toughest opposition but you wouldn't have been able to tell by looking at Rooney's determination and endeavour. His two goals were not only well taken, but crucial in the context of the game; he first opened the scoring early on and then effectively sealed the game with his second, United's third.

The colourful Neil Warnock may believe that the media have a vendetta against his club and would rather see those fancy dan teams from the capital stay up instead of the Blades. Well, come 'ere Neil and give us a hug cos we love you here over at Soccernet towers. A crucial three points were won in emphatic style in their six-pointer with West Ham and Warnock's side have taken one giant stride towards securing Premiership football next season.

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