Garth Crooks's team of the week: EPL

GOALKEEPER - Ben Foster (West Brom)

Ben Foster has kept 11 clean sheets in the Premier League this season - as many as Real Madrid's Iker Casillas in La Liga

Ben Foster went to great lengths after West Brom's 1-0 win over Southampton on Saturday to emphasise the collective effort in achieving a club-record 11 clean sheets this season. It's a statistic that must be music to head coach Tony Pulis's ears. Foster was, of course, instrumental in keeping West Brom in the game against a Southampton side who always looked dangerous. What a pity the West Brom players didn't show the same desire to keep clean sheets under previous incumbent Alan Irvine. He might have kept his job.

DEFENDER - Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Ashley Young won 10 penalties since the start of the 2009-10 season - only Luis Suarez has more (13)

When Manchester United start playing back to their own goalkeeper from corners, you wonder if their over-cautious manager Louis van Gaal is asking his team to play with the handbrake on. The two best moves in a languid first half against Sunderland came from the rejuvenated Ashley Young. He seemed the only player unafraid to go forward and engage the opposition. You don't have to have cost a fortune to play the game in the opposition's half.

DEFENDER - John Terry (Chelsea)

John Terry has scored six goals and contributed two assists for Chelsea this season

In a back four that was impregnable in the League Cup final against Spurs, John Terry looked at his commanding best. It wasn't Chelsea's greatest performance, but Terry and his team-mates know how to win.

DEFENDER - Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)

Liverpool have conceded only three goals in Martin Skrtel's last seven appearances

I've always considered Martin Skrtel to be a warrior - a player who relishes the battle and the physical side of the game. So imagine my amazement when he set himself to make a rash tackle inside the area on Sergio Aguero at a crucial stage against Manchester City on Sunday, only to change his mind halfway through the action and pull out. If Skrtel continues to use his head as well as his brawn, there's no telling where Liverpool might finish this season.

DEFENDER - Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Cesar Azpilicueta made nine tackles during the League Cup final, more than any other player in the game

Cesar Azpilicueta took a serious bang on the head which required treatment during the League Cup final against Tottenham, but that didn't deter the Spaniard from returning to his duties and helping Chelsea lift their first trophy of the season. The full-back was full of running throughout the match and always looked in control.

MIDFIELDER - Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

All three of Jordan Henderson's Premier League goals this season have been assisted by Raheem Sterling

It was a wonderful opening salvo by Jordan Henderson when he scored against Manchester City. Here is another player who seems to relish the freedom and extra responsibility afforded him in the absence of Steven Gerrard. I don't think I've seen Liverpool play with the same intensity or tempo as they did against City. If Philippe Coutinho is the new playmaker at Anfield, perhaps Brendan Rodgers might think about making Henderson the new captain.

MIDFIELDER - Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)

Operating in a holding midfield role, Kurt Zouma played only nine passes in the opposing half against Tottenham

Of all the team changes Jose Mourinho has made as Chelsea manager this season, none can be more inspired than his decision to play Kurt Zouma as a replacement for suspended holding midfielder Nemanja Matic in the League Cup final. The young French defender was sensational. I don't know who deserves more praise: Mourinho for making the selection or Zouma for his sheer nerve.

MIDFIELDER - Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace)

Against West Ham, Jason Puncheon recorded only the 52nd instance of a player providing three or more assists in one Premier League game

I've always regarded Jason Puncheon as a goalscorer and not a provider. However he destroyed West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday with all three assists for Crystal Palace. I never saw this result coming.

FORWARD - Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

Three of Liverpool's last four Premier League goals have come from outside the penalty area - and Philippe Coutinho has scored two of them

Well, he's only gone and done it again. I thought Philippe Coutinho's goal against Southampton was special but his strike against Manchester City was just world class. I'm not surprised that he is growing with every game in the absence of club captain Steven Gerrard. I've been in enough dressing rooms over the years to note that senior players, however exceptional, have the ability to intimidate younger professionals. It will be fascinating to observe how Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers handles the situation between now and the end of the season.

FORWARD - Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Wayne Rooney is the only player to score 10 or more goals in 11 successive Premier League seasons

A poor first-half performance by Manchester United against Sunderland was rescued by Wayne Rooney, who gleefully dispatched the controversial penalty awarded by Roger East. I don't know what the fuss was about - the referee might have sent off the wrong Sunderland player but he got the penalty decision right.

FORWARD - Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace)

Glenn Murray is only the eighth player in Premier League history to score twice and get a red card in the same game

He is a striker who likes to put it about a bit - but you can't ignore Glenn Murray's commitment. He scored two well-taken goals against West Ham at Upton Park and could have had more. But I have to question Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew's decision to leave the player on the pitch when it was clear that one more offence from the burly striker would result in his marching orders. Players are not the only ones who make poor decisions.