London24 team of the week: Taarabt, Cazorla, Vertonghen, Reid and more

Tuesday, December 18, 2012
12:00 PM

The London24 sports team have picked this week’s star XI from the 14 Premier League and Football League clubs around London. Have we missed someone out? Tweet us your thoughts @London24Sport!

Goalkeeper – Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham)

The Icelandic veteran kept a clean sheet as West Ham battled to a 0-0 draw with West Brom, making a number of saves to keep the Hammers hanging on.

Defender – Jan Vertonghen (Spurs)

Vertonghen stole the headlines for his well-taken winner in Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Swansea but he was equally impressive for his assured display at the heart of their defence.

Defender – Winston Reid (West Ham)

The New Zealander was the inspiration behind the Hammers’ superb defensive display against West Brom as their injury-hit squad held on for a point.

Defender – James Collins (West Ham)

Reid drew most of the plaudits after West Ham’s point at West Brom but Collins put in a battling shift alongside him, winning headers and throwing his body on the line for his team.

Defender – Danny Shittu (Millwall)

Shittu was a man mountain at the back for Millwall as they got back to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 win over Leicester. He led by example and will make it difficult for injured skipper Paul Robinson to win back his place.

Midfielder – Adel Taarabt (QPR)

Described as a “genius” by Harry Redknapp and a “wizard” by Martin Jol, Taarabt was one of the standout performers of the weekend as his two-goal display against Fulham inspired the R’s to their first win of the season.

Midfielder – Matt Saunders (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Saunders scored his second goal in three games with a great curling effort from outside the box to set Daggers up for their fifth win in seven league games against Barnet.

Midfielder – Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)

The Spaniard put in his best performance yet in Arsenal’s 5-2 win at Reading, netting a superb hat-trick and taking home the match ball. His treble included a rare headed goal and his sharp passing and movement was too much for the Royals.

Midfielder – Chris Taylor (Millwall)

The midfielder came on for Scott Malone as a substitute and tipped Millwall’s match against Leicester in their favour, scoring the winning goal midway through the second half.

Striker – Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace)

Murray made it 20 goals for the season with his brace in Palace’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham City. The goals take him above Burnley’s Charlie Austin and make him the Championship’s leading scorer.

Striker – Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)

Podolski scored one and set up two against Reading, working well in a front three with Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Germany international’s form had been poor in the run up to the Reading clash but he gave a reminder of what he can do.