Shearer: Cherries stars stood up to be counted

Hit hard by injuries and on the back of five straight defeats, Matchweek 17 looked like it would be a tricky one for AFC Bournemouth. 

But despite being without their two top scorers in Harry Wilson and Callum Wilson, and first-choice centre-backs Nathan Ake and Steve Cook, the Cherries stood up to be counted in a resolute win at Chelsea. 

Three of their players in particular impressed Premier League Champion Alan Shearer, whose Team of the Week is also managed by the mastermind of Saturday's 1-0 victory.

Aaron Ramsdale (BOU) CHE 0-1 BOU

No way past him. The 21-year-old kept out Chelsea with some very important saves.

George Baldock (SHU) SHU 2-0 AVL

Solid once again. What a season he and his Sheffield United team are having.

Michael Keane (EVE) MUN 1-1 EVE

Didn't put a foot wrong as Everton earned a hard-fought point at Old Trafford.  

Chris Mepham (BOU) CHE 0-1 BOU

Stood firm under the Chelsea onslaught. He stepped up for a Cherries side missing key players.

Jan Vertonghen (TOT) WOL 1-2 TOT

Few will face a trickier opponent than Adama Traore but the Spurs defender had the last word with his late winner.

John Fleck (SHU) SHU 2-0 AVL

Outstanding. He scored two great goals with bursts into the box from midfield.

Jefferson Lerma (BOU) CHE 0-1 BOU

A third Cherries star in my line-up. He was everywhere in the middle of the park and kept a loose ball alive to assist Dan Gosling's goal.

Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) ARS 0-3 MCI

What more can I say? Two stunning goals and a cross that led to another. World class again.

Michail Antonio (WHU) SOU 0-1 WHU

Just what his manager needed. He ran himself into the ground and was a constant threat.

Teemu Pukki (NOR) LEI 1-1 NOR

Scored and caused the best defence in the league all sorts of problems.

Mohamed Salah (LIV) LIV 2-0 WAT

A wonderful brace which showed the variety of goals he is capable of scoring. Is Liverpool’s Egyptian back to his best?

Manager: Eddie Howe (BOU)

You wouldn't have known his team had lost five on the bounce before Saturday. AFC Bournemouth gave everything for their manager in a third win at Stamford Bridge in five seasons.