After an intriguing weekend where Juventus took the Scudetto by the scruff of the neck, Dave Taylor selects his top XI from Week 8.
Emiliano Viviano [Sampdoria]
Brought the bacon home, won a point and flat out refused Pescara another goal, making several outstanding saves, especially from Gianluca Caprari, whose penalty kick was also parried. One specific block later on saw him impede a particularly poisonous punt from Ahmad Benali. Brilliant.
Hugo Campagnaro [Pescara]
After an intriguing weekend where Juventus took the Scudetto by the scruff of the neck, Dave Taylor selects his top XI from Week 8.
Emiliano Viviano [Sampdoria]
Brought the bacon home, won a point and flat out refused Pescara another goal, making several outstanding saves, especially from Gianluca Caprari, whose penalty kick was also parried. One specific block later on saw him impede a particularly poisonous punt from Ahmad Benali. Brilliant.
Hugo Campagnaro [Pescara]
Ruled the roost at the back and, despite his own goal, made up for the blunder by scoring with a smart header from a corner. Continually safeguarding the defence he also made a crucial clearance on the line after Albano Bizzarri’s indecisiveness. Unyielding.
Kostas Manolas [Roma]
Strode through the game charging down shots and out-duelling poor Manolo Gabbiadini in almost every challenge until he was subbed. Continued to rule and left the hosts so confused they couldn’t tell Heaven from Hell or Blue skies from pain. Colossal.
Gabriel Paletta [Milan]
Kept cool under pressure early on and made a positive contribution, particularly when making some vital blocks, especially on a dangerous Antonio Flores Flores’ strike. He also brilliantly fielded a fierce Fabrizio Cacciatore cross away from reaching a lurking Walter Birsa. Imposing.
Andrea Conti [Atalanta]
Played more as a wingback than out and out defender, pushing forward when the opportunities arose and sent over several dangerous crosses, which caused problems for the Viola defence. Also kept his positioning well if the hosts attacked down his flank. Impressive.
Mohamed Salah [Roma]
As irritating as the nerve-shredding sound of sharp fingernails across a blackboard, his purposeful running saw him set up one and score one. Always an outlet, he got his just rewards when he neatly beat Pepe Reina from Daniele De Rossi’s clever assist with four minutes to go. Alert.
Juraj Kucka [Milan]
Played a decisive part in Milan’s pressing game and his fabulous goal came directly from him being in the perfect spot to intercept a poor Chievo pass. Totally in command, he controlled the ball before his awesome, unstoppable Exocet arrowed into the top of the net from 30 yards out. Ar-tic-ulate.
Adem Ljajic [Torino]
The Serbian international turned the game for the visitors thanks to his stunning brace in the first half. His first was the vital equaliser, which he screamed into the near top corner, while his second, another bullet, this time ended up in the opposite corner. Critical.
Paulo Dybala [Juventus]
A buzzing, blustering dynamo throughout and scored a well-deserved double. First came the equaliser with the sweetest peach of a strike into the far corner from a free kick, followed up by the perfect penalty conversion. Dybalissimo.
Edin Dzeko [Roma]
The big Bosnian competed for every ball and had already tested Napoli before his neat brace. His first came when he slotted home from Salah’s precise cutback, while his second saw him leave the defence flatlining and in need of resuscitation and revival after he headed home from a free kick. Domineering.
Federico Melchiorri [Cagliari]
Making his seasonal first start the heroic former Pescara hitman was involved in several dangerous situations and rewarded with both goals. His first saw him majestically flick the ball past Samir Handanovic, while he then forced the own goal from the ‘keeper. Forceful.
Special mentions: Karol Linetty [Sampdoria], Daniele De Rossi [Roma], Junior Costa [Bologna], M’Baye Babacar Niang [Milan], Riccardo Saponara [Empoli], Matteo Politano [Sassuolo], Daniele Baselli [Torino].