Sunday, December 22, 2002 ESPNsoccernet: December 23, 10:27 AM UK
Team of the Week
Mark Schwarzer
Craig Short
William Gallas
Lauren
Alessandro Pistone
Frank Lampard
Tugay
Jason Koumas
Fabrice Fernandes
Kevin Phillips
Craig Bellamy
Graeme Souness
Blackburn Rovers' win over Manchester United was a triumph for manager Graeme Souness, who is given the highest of accolades - our Manager of the Week after his half-time talk made sure that the Red Devils were held at bay at Ewood Park.
Two of his players - Craig Short and Tugay - were key. Short didn't give Ruud Van Nistelrooy a kick and the Turkish midfielder stemmed the returning Roy Keane's influence on the game.
The other big game was that minor fixture on Merseyside, and no, Steven Gerrard's attempt at mid-air surgery on Gary Naysmith does not win him a place in our team. Instead, Alessandro Pistone, for showing real resolve and skill in holding off the Red waves of attack lands him a spot at left-back, where he partners Arsenal's Lauren, who, against Middlesbrough, showed he is returning back to the form of last season.
Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer made a series of saves to deny Arsenal a cricket score but couldn't stop the Gunners winning 2-0.
Chelsea boys Frank Lampard and William Gallas continued their consistent form as the Blues beat Aston Villa with the midfielder grabbing a goal.
Jason Koumas is starting to exert real influence at West Brom and scored a goal and supplied the assist for the other in their 2-2 draw with Sunderland, for whom Kevin Phillips got back in the old routine to grab a brace and an assurance from Howard Wilkinson that he'd be 'daft' to sell the moustachioed musketeer.
Craig Bellamy terrorised Fulham and takes his place in our team after scoring a great goal. Former Cottager Fabrice Fernandes similarly troubled Leeds United and broke White Rose hearts with his late equaliser.
Graeme Souness