Following the victory over Roma, Juventus go seven points ahead of the chasing pack as Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Week 17.
Samir Handanovic [Inter]
If not for the big Slovenian’s saves and blocks, Inter would have struggled to collect all three points. In the first half he somehow managed to palm to safety a terrific Gregoire Defrel volley. While in the second half his stunning reaction save denied Stefano Sensi’s vicious volley. Commanding.
Stefan Radu [Lazio]
Following the victory over Roma, Juventus go seven points ahead of the chasing pack as Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Week 17.
Samir Handanovic [Inter]
If not for the big Slovenian’s saves and blocks, Inter would have struggled to collect all three points. In the first half he somehow managed to palm to safety a terrific Gregoire Defrel volley. While in the second half his stunning reaction save denied Stefano Sensi’s vicious volley. Commanding.
Stefan Radu [Lazio]
A solid performance by the Romanian, who also scored the final goal to close the curtains on any Fiorentina comeback. Always diligent he snapped onto Ciro Immobile’s pass on the counter-attack to drive the ball home from an angle. Attentive.
Daniele Rugani [Juventus]
His all-round performance came as no surprise, with his ability to facilitate others around him and offer protection. Always precise when tackling he made a particularly superb clearance from Fazio on the line, as well as blocking strong efforts from Edin Dzeko and Radja Nainggolan. Elegant.
Giorgio Chiellini [Juventus]
Combined well with Rugani and was as tough and tenacious in the tackle as ever and kept the visitors’ forward line quiet. He also made doubly sure that Serie A’s top scorer Dzeko was extremely limited and as useful as window screen wipers on a duck’s behind. Composed.
Adam Masina [Bologna]
Played a good defensive game and got down the left flank several times, scored the opener and almost scored another. His goal came about following a corner when he found space to loop a header into the back of the net. Commanding.
Antonio Candreva [Inter]
Started like he meant to go on and burnt Andrea Consigli’s gloves early with a real belter. His next effort hit the post, while immediately into the second half he was in the right spot to slot home a rebound from another Consigli save. Busy.
Jose Callejon [Napoli]
Had a massive hand in three goals with two proper assists and buzzed away at Torino throughout the game. However, it was his real bullet at Joe Hart that was one of the strikes of the game, which deflected and saw Dries Mertens complete his hat trick. Unstoppable.
Dries Mertens [Napoli]
In a fast-paced game the Belgian dynamo managed to score four goals, including winning and converting a penalty. He scored his first three inside just 23 minutes and his fourth from a divine chip that saw him thoroughly deserve the man of the match award. Unplayable.
Cyril Thereau [Udinese]
Always well positioned, scored a brace and did everything demanded of him. The opener saw him slip through the visitors’ defence to slot home from close up while his second was another close up goal that curled into the top corner. Clever.
Levan Mchedlidze [Empoli]
Despite Cagliari sharing the worst defence in Europe the Georgian international still needed skill to complete his brace and working well with Guido Marilungo on both goals, he scored his superb second following a clever one-two with Marilungo before hitting a screamer into the far corner. Crucial.
Gonzalo Higuain [Juventus]
The Argentinian was a nuisance throughout the game and scored a wonder goal as well as digging out several other chances. His goal saw him slip past two Roma players leaving them squirming like grounded turtles, before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top left hand corner. Decisive.
Special mentions: Marcelo Brozovic [Inter], Andrea Consigli [Sassuolo], Balde Diao Keita [Lazio], Federico Marchetti [Lazio], Giovanni Simeone] Genoa].