Man United, Chelsea and Spurs have multiple representatives as we gather December's outstanding performers...
GK – Thibaut Courtois
The Belgian kept four clean sheets and made probably the save of the season so far – a brilliant one-handed stop against Sunderland – as Chelsea won all six of their matches in December.
What did you do?
CB – Cesar Azpilicueta
Like Courtois, Azpilicueta enjoyed a month of multiple clean sheets and victories.
And while the Spaniard is – in this writer’s opinion – the Premier League’s best out-and-out defender, he also produced a fine assist for Diego Costa’s winner at Crystal Palace.
CB – Phil Jones
What’s worse, being a joke figure or a forgotten one? For a long time, Jones was both.
Fair play to him, then, for finally developing into something like the excellent defender he looked poised to become several years ago.
United haven’t lost since Jones started his first game of the season at Swansea in early November and conceded just four times in December.
CB – Marcos Rojo
Yes, Rojo should have been sent off twice in December for two two-footed lunges.
He makes the team, though, because he has gone from being nowhere near Manchester United standard to so good alongside Jones that if they played for Arsenal they’d definitely have already been dubbed ‘Jojo’ or ‘Rones’ by now.
The Argentine isn’t guaranteed to be at Old Trafford indefinitely, but Mourinho – according to reputable reporters – has apparently abandoned long-held plans to sign a centre-half in January.
RWB – Michail Antonio
December was a solid month for West Ham and Antonio was superb throughout.
He finished deftly against Liverpool, won the penalty that Mark Noble converted against Burnley and registered his eighth league goal of the season at Swansea.
That was also his 15th goal of the calendar year, which is more than fellow Englishman Jamie Vardy managed. An excellent return.
LWB – Danny Rose
It’s amazing to think that Rose had never made a senior international appearance this time last year.
Twelve months on, the 26-year-old is England’s – and the Premier League’s – outstanding left-back.
He was his reliable, excellent self throughout December, scoring the winner against Burnley, assisting against Southampton and starring in all of Tottenham’s four league victories.
CM – Adam Lallana
Lallana used to be all tricks and flicks and no end product. Not anymore.
December was a particularly productive month for the 28-year-old, who scored four goals and made two assists, taking his tally for the season to seven and seven respectively.
Remarkable numbers considering he is one of a midfield three.
AM – Dele Alli
His brace against Watford doesn’t count, obviously, but Alli had already done enough to seal his place in this side.
It is not a coincidence that Spurs have been back to their best form since the 20-year-old rediscovered his best form.
He made two and scored three in December – a return which ensured his first 50 Premier League matches were more prolific than another English midfielder renowned for goalscoring: Paul Scholes.
CM – Paul Pogba
Pogba, now playing in his best position, is dominating games for United.
He was brilliant in December, scoring one and making the other in their late win over Crystal Palace, assisting in the Boxing Day victory over Sunderland and scoring a late winner against Middlesbrough.
The worst thing for those who dismissed him as a ‘fraud’ at the start of the season? You suspect he’s just getting warmed up.
CF – Diego Costa
Costa produced one of the most complete performances from a striker in Premier League history as Chelsea started December with the brilliant 3-1 win at Manchester City.
He followed that with a superb late winner against West Brom, before scoring the only goal of the game at Crystal Palace seven days later. Those are the sort of decisive contributions that propel teams to titles.
The 28-year-old ended the year with a well-earned rest – courtesy of his fifth booking of the season – and a late strike against Stoke. Nicely done, Diego.
CF – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
What Ibrahimovic lacks in pace, he makes up for by being superb in the air, clinical on the deck and as comfortable outside the box as he is in it.
His intangible attributes – aura, winning mentality and the like – are clearly inspiring his United team-mates and the club’s supporters, too.
The Swede was directly involved in nine of the 11 goals United scored during December, scoring five and assisting four. Not bad for a 35-year-old.
Manager: Jose Mourinho
After a trying start to the season, the Special One is beginning to look like his old self.
United won all their matches in December, with Mourinho’s proactive substitution against Middlesbrough – Marcus Rashford replacing Chris Smalling – crucial in securing all three points.
