Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea all enjoyed a fine February in the Barclays Premier League, and each has players featuring in the CaughtOffside team of the month. Read the full line-up here:
Adrian (West Ham United)
In February, West Ham kept clean sheets in three of their four matches, winning all of their games.
After a difficult Christmas period, Sam Allardyce is no longer under pressure, and Adrian has been a big part of the Hammers’ ascent into the top half of the table.
The Spanish goalkeeper has won five of his ten Premier League games, shutting out the opposition in five of those matches with some fine saves.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Branislav Ivanovic is typically thought of as something of a brute at the back for Chelsea, and he is one of the most physically imposing players in the entire Premier League.
However, the Serb is a far more technically adept player than he is given credit for, with his contributions going forward dramatically increasing over the course of his time at Stamford Bridge.
A classic example would be his fine left footed strike from the edge of the area against Manchester City, which proved the winning goal for Jose Mourinho’s men, and with the Blues only conceding one Premier League goal in all of February, Ivanovic clearly did not neglect his duties at the back either.
James Collins (West Ham United)
James Collins played a major role in West Ham’s significant improvement from the end of January onwards.
His excellent performances against Chelsea, Swansea City, Aston Villa, Norwich City and Southampton proved influential as the Hammers only conceded once in that time, going unbeaten until their 1-0 loss to Everton on March 1st.
Collins also scored against Norwich, showing he can be a real danger from set pieces too.
Jose Fonte (Southampton)
Southampton have allowed fewer shots on goal this season than any other team, and have conceded the same number as second placed Liverpool.
While the likes of Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert have gained plaudits, it is the Saints defence that deserves the most praise with Portuguese centre half Jose Fonte somewhat of an unsung hero at the back for the south coast side.
Fonte helped Southampton to two clean sheets and two victories in February, scoring the only goal in the club’s win against Hull City at the KC Stadium.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
Astonishingly for a man with his creative record, Leighton Baines only managed his first assist of the Premier League season last week against West Ham United.
The 28 year-old England international helped Everton bounce back from a disastrous Merseyside derby against Liverpool with some better results in February, and scored a crucial goal against Swansea City.
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
Charlie Adam may actually be “that sort of player” – just ask Olivier Giroud, or Gareth Bale what they think of his attempted challenges – but he doesn’t have to be.
The Scotland international scored a magnificent strike against Manchester United to win Stoke City the game, and assisted both goals in the Potters’ 2-2 draw against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.
He does earn rather too many bookings, but Paul Scholes wasn’t much of a tackler either.
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
Nemanja Matic could be the most crucial player in Chelsea’s continued challenge on all fronts as the season approaches its climax, with the Serbia international simultaneously offering monstrous physicality and cultured play.
A good illustration of Matic’s fine play for the Blues was when he outmuscled Yaya Toure to win possession when facing Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last month, and he was largely responsible for keeping the Ivorian colossus quiet.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
“Raheem was incredible,” said Brendan Rodgers [http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/15117/9165983/raheems-resurgence] after watching his team dominate Arsenal at Anfield at the beginning of February.
“He has just turned 19 and I don’t think there is a better winger in England at this moment in time.”
With three goals and an assist in his last four Premier League fixtures, it is hard to argue with Sterling’s manager, and having been recalled to the England squad, the 19 year-old looks a certainty to go to the 2014 FIFA World Cup this summer.
Kevin Nolan (West Ham United)
West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan had a dreadful Christmas period, and after being sent off twice in four matches, there were calls for Sam Allardyce to strip him of the captaincy.
However, Nolan’s manager stuck by his skipper, and the 31 year-old paid back Allardyce with some performances of the highest quality in February.
In the Hammers’ four matches last month, Nolan scored five times and provided an assist, and if he can continue in such a rich vein of form, his team could continue to rise up the table.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Eden Hazard is perhaps one of the few players who could rival Luis Suarez of Liverpool for the Player Of The Year gong at the end of the season, with the Belgian comfortably the best dribbler in the Premier League, and both the leading scorer and assisting player for Chelsea this term.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has set his Belgian winger the task of proving himself worthy of being talked about in the same circles as the very best players in the world, and having set up his team to give Hazard as much freedom and possession as possible – as he did with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid – anything is possible.
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Daniel Sturridge has only failed to score in four Premier League matches this season, and while Luis Suarez has scored more goals, many have been against inferior teams and it is the Englishman who been a more consistent threat throughout the campaign.
Sturridge scored in each of Liverpool’s four top flight games in February, against West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal, Fulham and Swansea City, and provided two assists.
Jay Rodriguez and Wayne Rooney are the only English players to have managed even half of his Premier League tally, and an on-song Sturridge is vital for England’s World Cup hopes.
Full team: