Sports Mole selects its Premier League Team of the Week for the latest round of fixtures, including Virgil van Dijk, Bukayo Saka and Son Heung-min.
The big boys of the Premier League began juggling domestic and European commitments again this week, but there was no continental hangover for champions Manchester City, who navigated their way past Nottingham Forest 2-0 despite an early second-half red card to Rodri.
The Citizens – who unsurprisingly top the standings – remain the only team with a 100% winning record, but Liverpool are hot on their heels thanks to a 3-1 triumph over West Ham United.
Brighton & Hove Albion posted an identical success over Bournemouth to rise to third place, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur maintained their unbeaten starts in a typically enthralling 2-2 North London derby draw.
Manchester United brought an end to their dismal three-game losing run by sinking Burnley 1-0, but Chelsea‘s misfortune continued in a 1-0 home beating at the hands of Aston Villa.
It was raining goals at Bramall Lane as a merciless Newcastle United tore Sheffield United to shreds 8-0 – breaking records galore along the way – while Everton took home maximum points from Brentford in a 3-1 triumph.
As well as the Toffees’ first win of the season, Luton Town claimed their maiden Premier League point in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Crystal Palace and Fulham shook hands on a slice of the spoils in a forgettable goalless stalemate.
Here, Sports Mole selects its Premier League Team of the Week for the latest round of fixtures.
DEFENCE
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There was very little for either side to write home about during Palace and Fulham’s drab derby draw, but Eagles shot-stopper Sam Johnstone did his best to inject some life into the home crowd, coming up with five crucial saves to keep Dean Henderson waiting for his opportunity that little bit longer.
Returning to domestic action following a two-game suspension, Virgil van Dijk could not help Liverpool keep an elusive clean sheet against West Ham, but he was an unmistakeable presence regardless – heading the ball down for Diogo Jota to score his side’s third and winning an astounding 11 of his 13 aerial battles during a statement performance.
Another Merseyside-based centre-back was a formidable figure at both ends of the field this weekend, as Everton’s James Tarkowski returned to haunt former club Brentford, teeing up Abdoulaye Doucoure for the opening goal – one of four chances he created on the day – before rising highest to score himself, and the centre-back did not hesitate to celebrate at his old home.
A Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans pairing would not have been Erik ten Hag‘s first choice at Turf Moor, but needs must when injuries rear their ugly heads, and the latter put in an inspirational display in both boxes. The 35-year-old, who making his first Red Devils start in over eight years, was denied a fairytale goal by the offside flag, but he provided an inch-perfect ball over the top for Bruno Fernandes to volley home – akin to the Robin van Persie days – while also making eight clearances to collect a hard-earned clean sheet.
MIDFIELD
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Channelling his inner Leandro Trossard with a trio of assists away from home – albeit not all in the first half – Kieran Trippier offered Sheffield United a free crossing masterclass at Bramall Lane, setting up efforts for Dan Burn, Sven Botman and Callum Wilson to become just the second Premier League player to register three assists for headed goals in a single game, following in Jason Puncheon‘s footsteps after the midfielder did so for Crystal Palace against West Ham United in 2015.
As well as Trippier’s individual feat, Newcastle made history by having eight different scorers in their demolition job, and one of them – Bruno Guimaraes – ran the show from midfield. Amid rumours of a new contract being agreed, the Brazilian slipped Miguel Almiron through before powering home when the ball fell kindly for him in the box, and he also won all eight of his duels – six on the ground and two in the air – during a near-faultless outing.
A goalscoring midfielder also stole the show at the Gtech Community Stadium at the weekend, as Abdoulaye Doucoure set Everton on their way to a precious three points over the Bees with a crisp strike into the far corner, and he was only denied a first-half brace by the crossbar, from a near carbon copy of his earlier goal no less.
While Everton marched to a belated opening win, Luton now finally have a Premier League point to their name, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Alfie Doughty, who was brought into the Hatters’ lineup against Wolves and ran Gary O’Neil‘s men ragged on the left-hand side, creating five chances and winning both of his aerial battles in a performance that arguably deserved more than just a draw.
ATTACK
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Bukayo Saka‘s North London derby would end on a sour note, as the 22-year-old limped off the field in the dying embers and was powerless to help his side convert one point into three during the final few moments, but he had a hand in both of the hosts’ goals at the Emirates. After letting fly with an effort that Cristian Romero wildly swiped into his own net, Saka sent a calm penalty down the middle of the goal to restore the Gunners’ advantage and had their best chance of the second half injury-time period – forcing Guglielmo Vicario into a full-length stop just before his withdrawal.
However, Saka’s contributions were cancelled out on both occasions by Son Heung-min, who donned the armband in a North London derby for the first time and combined with his vice-captain James Maddison to great effect. The South Korean’s deft finish drew Spurs level before the break, and another calm first-time strike across David Raya‘s goal would rescue a point for the visitors, prolonging their unbeaten run in the process.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi promised changes after their Europa League loss to AEK Athens – one of which saw Kaoru Mitoma drop to the bench against Bournemouth – but the Japanese wing wizard laced up his boots for the second half and proceeded to terrorise the Cherries’ backline. Only 17 seconds after coming on, Mitoma found space inside the box to prod the hosts ahead, before meeting Pervis Estupinan‘s cross with a simple header to complete the Seagulls’ fightback.
Sports Mole’s Premier League Team of the Week (3-4-3): Johnstone; Van Dijk, Evans, Tarkowski; Trippier, Guimaraes, Doucoure, Doughty; Saka, Son, Mitoma
