Jake Hesketh has been named in the EFL’s Team of the Week for his display in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Carlisle United.
The on-loan midfielder played a part in two of MK Dons’ goals in Cumbria, helping them to a second successive victory which has them back to within two points of the automatic promotion places in Sky Bet League Two.
With the game tied at 1-1, Hesketh restored MK Dons’ lead in Cumbria with a stunning right-footed curler into the far corner of the net before starring in an excellent attacking move down the left-hand side, which led to the team’s third goal.
Hesketh has been in great form since arriving at Stadium MK from Southampton, scoring twice in four games. He becomes the fifth Don to be recognised in the EFL Team of the Week this season, along with Rhys Healey, Alex Gilbey, Jordan Houghton and Paul Tisdale.
EFL Team of the Week for 15-17 Feb in full:
Mark Halstead - Morecambe
The stopper made a series of incredible saves including one from Tom Pope’s penalty as Morecambe picked up a vital win and clean sheet at fellow strugglers Port Vale.
Sam Stubbs - Notts County
With County bottom of Sky Bet League Two and hosting local rivals Mansfield Town, a big performance was needed from the Magpies defence. Alongside Ben Barclay, Stubbs put in a solid display as his side kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win.
Ben Barclay - Notts County
Another top performer this weekend, the Brighton loanee showed maturity beyond his years to keep the free-scoring Stags at bay. Barclay will surely have a key role to play if his side are to compete their rivival.
Ben Davies - Preston North End
Davies dealt very well with the threat of Nottingham Forest’s Lewis Grabban as Preston kept a valuable clean sheet at Deepdale to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
Emi Buendia - Norwich City
It was yet another good day for Buendia in the Canaries midfield as they returned to the Sky Bet Championship summit. The Argentine’s well-taken goal capped a near-perfect performance which earns him a spot in our XI.
John-Obi Mikel - Middlesbrough
Mikel has quickly become a fan favourite at Boro, and it’s easy to see why on the latest evidence. The travelling fans sang his name throughout Sunday’s win at Blackburn Rovers, as the midfielder showed his class.
Jake Hesketh - MK Dons
The on-loan Southampton man was in fine form as MK Dons won at Carlisle United in front of over 10,000 fans. Hesketh scored an excellent goal of his own and was involved in another, also hitting the woodwork.
George Moncur - Luton Town
The man who set the tone for Luton’s record-breaking win at Fleetwood, Moncur scored a stunning free-kick as the Hatters went on to make it 20 EFL games without defeat.
Teemu Pukki - Norwich City
Fast becoming a Team of the Week regular, the flying Finn scored a brace in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Bolton Wanderers, as the Canaries kept up their title charge in style.
Gary Madine - Sheffield United
With top scorer Billy Sharp on the bench, it was left to Madine to step up to the mark, and he did just that. The striker scored twice as the Blades impressively saw off Reading to move into the automatic promotion places.
Simon Cox - Southend United
The striker’s performance against Portsmouth was a perfect example of leading from the front. With Southend 3-0 down, Cox netted a hat-trick to salvage a point for his side, in what was a fantastic individual display.
