West Ham defensive duo land spots in BBC pundit’s team of the week alongside Man City, Spurs & Liverpool stars

Two West Ham United players have been selected by former Tottenham Hotspur striker Garth Crooks in the BBC’s pundits Premier League ‘team of the week’.

The duo, both defenders, have been named alongside two players each from Manchester City, Spurs and Brentford as well as one choice each from Wolves and Liverpool.

Both players played key roles in West Ham’s 2-1 win over Everton at the London Stadium on Sunday, a result that keeps West Ham just three points off of the top four ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Here is how Crooks’ team of the week looks and which Hammers players he selected:

Dawson and Cresswell make ‘team of the week’ alongside Kane, De Bruyne & more

Crooks has selected Craig Dawson and Aaron Cresswell in his team after both played a key part in West Ham’s home victory over Everton.

Dawson had a great game defensively while Cresswell scored the opening goal of the match with a sublime free-kick that left visiting keeper Jordan Pickford no chance.

On the selection of Dawson, Crooks said: “This player is about as professional as it gets.

“Craig Dawson gave what was another mature performance against an Everton side who had their moments.

“Dawson has been around for some time but I can’t recall the defender ever letting one of his clubs down.

“Yes he has made the occasional error, haven’t we all, but he’s been one of the most consistent defenders in the game.

“West Ham currently find themselves flying high in the league and competing in the latter stages of the Europa League and Dawson looks totally at ease with it all.”

On the selection of Cresswell, Crooks said: “Frank Lampard’s got his work cut out here.

“Everton deserved to get something out of this game and would have done if not for the stupidity of Michael Keane and the incompetence of Alex Iwobi.

“If Keane stays on his feet and Iwobi controls a ball an infant could have handled, Everton would almost certainly have come away with a point.

“As for West Ham, it wasn’t their greatest performance but they have a defender in Aaron Creswell who can strike a free-kick. The only really bright moment in the match.”

Who else made Garth Crooks team of the week?

Harry Kane and Cristian Romero were selected from Spurs after they demolished Newcastle United 5-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Romero in particular putting in an excellent display at the back.

Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling made the team from Manchester City, who beat Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor, while Brentford’s Christian Eriksen and Vitaly Janelt were also picked for their parts in the Bees’ sensational 4-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The other nine players selected by the BBC Pundit this week were:

• Jose Sa (Wolves)
• Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
• Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
• James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
• Christian Eriksen (Brentford)
• Kevin de Bruyne (Man City)
• Vitaly Janelt (Brentford)
• Harry Kane (Tottenham)
• Raheem Sterling (Man City)

You can read more on Garth Crook’s team of the week selections with the full article available on the BBC Sport website.