Left-back: Liverpool's problems in defence eased on their return to Anfield as they ran out 4-1 winners against Leicester, and although they didn't keep a first clean sheet of the season, they looked more organised. Part of the reason for that was the deployment of James Milner at left-back. While Marcotti admits they still need to find a natural fit for this position, in the meantime Milner's "tireless running and fine delivery suggest maybe the solution is in-house."
Midfield: Crystal Palace got their first three points of the season at the fourth attempt, and the 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough was largely down to the performance of Wilfried Zaha, who set one up for Christian Benteke and scored the other himself. "If he did this with any regularity, he'd be a regular in the England team. And would be at a different club," Marcotti notes, and Mariner is with him: "He drove his team to a much-needed win away at Boro."
Midfield: Another easy pick is Manchester City's Fernandinho with all three members of the panel blown away by his impact in midfield as Manchester United's unbeaten start to the campaign was ended. Marcotti describes the Brazilian as "terrifyingly dominant; he's the glue that holds it all together," while Mariner singles out the midfielder's "incredible energy," and "fantastic protection in front of the two central defenders.