Each week we delve through the Premier League action and compile our divisional Team of the Week from the fixtures’ finest performances.
It was a weekend of late drama in the Premier League as Spurs and Aston Villa completed dramatic comebacks in stoppage time, while Brighton continued to prove themselves as one of the division’s most impressive outfits with a win at Manchester United.
Elsewhere there were wins for Manchester City, Liverpool, Fulham, Newcastle and Arsenal, but Chelsea’s woes continued with another goal-shy performance at Bournemouth.
The Football Faithful’s Premier League Team of the Week:
Goalkeeper: Neto – Bournemouth
Neto produced a captain’s performance as Bournemouth frustrated Chelsea to earn a goalless draw.
The goalkeeper made a string of good saves to keep the Cherries in the contest, with Chelsea unable to find a path past the veteran. Bournemouth remain without a win this season, but can take heart from their spirited showing to earn a point this weekend.
Right-back: Kieran Trippier – Newcastle
As ever, a constant outlet for Newcastle down the right-hand side. Trippier led the Magpies to a hard-fought win over Brentford, with a performance full of the usual creativity from right-back.
The England international won seven duels, attempted 12 crosses and made two key passes, a vital contribution as Newcastle ended a run of three consecutive Premier League losses.
Next up: AC Milan at the San Siro and a long-awaited Champions League return.
Kieran Trippier’s game by numbers vs. Brentford:
103 touches
82% pass accuracy
59 passes completed
4 aerial duels won
3 long balls completed
3 crosses completed
2 ground duels won
2 clearances
2 key passesExcellent showing. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/f713bN4FID
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 16, 2023
Centre-back: William Saliba – Arsenal
Saliba made light work of what could have been a difficult duel with Beto, with the Frenchman’s pace and power combating the threat of Everton’s towering centre-forward. Composed as Arsenal dominated the ball, no player completed more accurate passes (96) than Saliba, who ended the contest with a 91.4% accuracy.
Arsenal have struggled under the pressure at Everton in recent seasons, but Saliba’s cool performance contributed to the Gunners securing a first win at Goodison Park since 2017.
Centre-back: Sven Botman – Newcastle
Sven Botman’s return to the side made a big difference as Newcastle got their season back on track with a 1-0 win over Brentford at St James’ Park.
A first clean sheet of the campaign earned the Magpies a much needed win, with Botman adding assured presence at the heart of the defence. The Dutch defender passed the ball accurately and cleared everything that came his way, rarely looking troubled.
Left-back: Tariq Lamptey – Brighton
Tariq Lamptey has struggled to build on a strong start to his Brighton career, but the defender returned to the team this weekend and provided a reminder of what he can offer. In an unfamiliar left-back position the 22-year-old was good at both ends of the pitch, providing two assists as Brighton beat Manchester United in a statement result.
Lamptey threaded a pass into Pascal Gross for the Seagulls’ second goal at Old Trafford, before cutting the ball back for Joao Pedro to score the third after a fine run forward. A performance to build upon for Lamptey, as he looks for a regular role in Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
Tariq’s two assists! ⚽️⚽️ @TariqLamptey 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/7oabEvgKqW
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 17, 2023
Midfield: Rodri – Manchester City
Cruise control from Manchester City’s sensational Spaniard. This sort of performance has become the norm for Rodri, who might just be the most complete central midfielder in world football.
No outfield player featured more for Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League last season, as Rodri led his teammates for touches, completed passes and duels won. He’s began the current season in similar form.
The 27-year-old regained possession, made four key passes and barely misplaced the ball all afternoon against West Ham, as the Premier League champions came from behind to win 3-1 at the London Stadium. Rodri ended the game with 130 touches and a pass accuracy of 97.4%.
Midfield: Yves Bissouma – Tottenham
Yves Bissouma has been a man reborn under Ange Postecoglou this season, with the midfielder again at the heart of Tottenham’s performance this weekend.
Bissouma burst into the box to force an early save from Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and got better and better as the game wore on.
The driving force of a late comeback for the north Londoners, the form of Bissouma and James Maddison has transformed Tottenham into one of the most watchable teams in the Premier League.
Midfield: Pascal Gross – Brighton
Pascal Gross just loves playing against Manchester United.
The German won a long-awaited first international cap during Septemeber’s break and returned to his club side in fine form, as Brighton became the first team to win at Old Trafford since… Brighton on the opening weekend of last season.
Gross was at the centre of a superb performance from Roberto De Zerbi’s side and scored his now customary goal against the Red Devils after sidestepping Lisandro Martinez to fire home.
Pascal Groß has now scored four Premier League goals against Man Utd at Old Trafford.
Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Salah are the only players in the competition’s history with more (5). 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ezvlCVH9f6
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 16, 2023
Right-wing: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Still so important to this side.
Salah struggled to make an impact early on as Liverpool fell behind at Wolves, but the Egyptian came to the fore as Jurgen Klopp’s side turned the game around.
Salah set up Cody Gakpo to level for Liverpool, before exchanging passes with Andy Robertson in a neat move to register his second assist of the game. He was denied a third assist as Harvey Elliott’s deflected strike was deemed an own goal, but the 31-year-old was instrumental to Liverpool’s comeback at Molineux.
Only Erling Haaland (8) has been involved in more Premier League goals than Salah (6) so far this season.
200 – Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 200 goals (139 goals, 61 assists) in 223 games for Liverpool in the Premier League, with only Thierry Henry reaching this milestone in fewer appearances for a single club in the competition (206 games for Arsenal). Incessant. pic.twitter.com/RmhxvwmJMl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 16, 2023
Left-wing: Jeremy Doku – Manchester City
Jeremy Doku was the catalyst for Manchester City’s comeback win at West Ham, with the winger electric on his first start for the club.
The Belgium international was scintillating in the second half as the Cityzens came from behind to earn a fifth consecutive Premier League win, scoring his side’s equaliser with a fine individual effort. Doku had the West Ham defence back-peddling before cutting inside to bend home a brilliant finish.
It’s early days, but Doku looks like he will be fun to watch at the very least this season.
Igniting the comeback! ⛽️🔥@JeremyDoku nets his first goal for City! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/uo7Hi7kHqm
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 16, 2023
Forward: Richarlison – Tottenham
After a difficult period of form and honest admission regarding his mental struggles this week, the script was written for Richarlison to make a decisive contribution for Spurs this weekend.
The Brazilian came off the bench to turn the game around against Sheffield United, heading home a stoppage-time equaliser before setting up Dejan Kulusevki’s late winner for the north Londoners.
Son Heung-min made sure Richarlison got the credit after a goal and assist in stoppage time 👏 pic.twitter.com/6nMVEpBGNv
— GOAL (@goal) September 16, 2023
It’s been tough at times for Richarlison at Tottenham, but could this be the turning point in his career with the club?
