It was a reduced week of action in the Premier League, with policing issues meaning that Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool and Leeds United’s trip to Manchester United were postponed along with the derby between Brighton and Crystal Palace.
Nonetheless, seven games went ahead, providing 23 goals and plenty of top performances up and down the country. Here’s who 101 picked out as the standout stars.
GK: Hugo Lloris
Including a goalkeeper that conceded twice may seem a little odd, but it was Lloris’ performance that set up Tottenham’s eventual 6-2 win over Leicester City, with the Frenchman making five saves to keep his side in the lead when the scoreline was much closer.
Though Spurs remain unbeaten, they are also unconvincing, and will need to improve to really ensure that they continue grinding out results this season.
RB: Nathan Patterson
The Scottish right-back continued to impress for the Toffees in their win over West Ham, including a vital tackle to prevent the Hammers from taking the lead.
Signed in January, he is already beginning to earn himself cult status at Goodison Park, and should he keep up his impressive performances he will certainly become a hero sooner than later.
CB: William Saliba
Yet to miss a minute of action for Arsenal, Saliba has taken to Premier League football like a duck to water and nodded his side in front after just a quarter of an hour for his second goal of the season.
It was in defence that he really stood out, however, looking calm and composed against Ivan Toney and showing smart feet to consistently get himself out of tight situations. He seems nailed on to start for France this international break.
CB: Manuel Akanji
From out of favour in Germany to a stalwart in the Manchester City defence, Akanji has started Premier League life brilliantly for Pep Guardiola’s side, and put in another strong performance against Wolves in a comfortable 3-0 victory for his side.
[He has been] more than exceptional,” Guardiola told explained after the game.
“So aggressive, but then had the tempo to control the situation. From day one, we thought, ‘We got it’…”
LB: Jordan Zemura
Bournemouth came away from St James’ Park with a very credible point against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side, meaning that they have taken five from a possible nine since Scott Parker’s departure.
Central to their performance was left-back Zemura, who created the most chances on either side as well as grabbing the assist for the Cherries’ goal.
He was defensively sound too, winning four of his six duels and making two tackles.
CM: Alex Iwobi
Everton’s midfielder looks rejuvenated in a more central role under Frank Lampard, after previously being deployed on the wing.
His influence on the Blues’ first win of the season cannot be underestimated, with the former Arsenal academy graduate pulling the strings and not shying away from his defensive duties either.
CM: Granit Xhaka
Another man enjoying a redemption arc, Granit Xhaka’s newfound position in Mikel Arteta’s side has seen him become one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League this season.
Captain in Odegaard’s absence, he marshalled his side well, while his ball for Gabriel Jesus’ header was precise and perfectly weighted. A customary yellow card was the only blemish on his copybook.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
A man in no need of any redemption arc, Kevin de Bruyne continues to catch the eye and provide returns for Manchester City.
The Belgian registered another two assists, laying the ball on a plate first for Jack Grealish and then for Phil Foden, and was involved in everything good that Manchester City produced at Molineux.
RW: Heung Min-Son
It was always a case of when, not if, Heung Min-Son was going to get off the mark this season and the golden boot holder answered his critics in emphatic fashion.
Dropped to the bench, he entered the fray on the hour and by the 86th he had netted a hat-trick, giving the scoreline a one-sided look that it probably didn’t deserve.
When you have world-class players, however, that is what happens.
ST: Erling Haaland
Just one goal this weekend for Haaland, but it was a beautifully taken one. Often associated with providing the finishing touch within the 18-yard box, the Norweigian picked the ball up 30 yards out, before driving at the Wolves backline and finding the corner with his weaker foot from the edge of the area.
He can’t stop scoring, and Mo Salah’s Premier League record of 34 goals in a season is already looking like light work for the youngster.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/xlmedia/75056cb2-70a2-47ac-a9bf-dc86877bc260.png)
