It’s been yet another dramatic week of Premier League football. Chelsea stunned Tottenham with a brilliant defensive display at Wembley, while Huddersfield Town continued to silence their doubters with a first home win over Newcastle. These were the players who stood out the most during matchday two:
Premier League Team of the Week
Jack Butland (Stoke City)
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the best of Butland after an injury he picked up in a friendly against Germany prior to Euro 2016. But his performance as Stoke pulled off an impressive victory over Arsenal at the Bet365 Stadium showed why he deserves a shot at the England number one jersey, pulling of a number of impressive saves to keep the Gunners at bay.
Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
Another impressive performance from the centre back. There is still some uncertainty and questions over what United’s best defence is, but Bailly certainly has to be the first name on the teamsheet. He was solid defensively, and also helped himself to a first goal in a Manchester United shirt.
Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
There couldn’t have been many tougher games for the young Dane to make his debut in. An under pressure Chelsea side against an inform Tottenham at Wembley, but the 21-year-old gave an excellent exhibition of his talents. He gave Harry Kane very little, and ended the game with an 100% passing completion rate.
Harry Maguire (Leicester City)
Yet another composed performance from a man already beginning to pay back some of his £17 million fee. While his defensive display will be the one he is judged upon, his ability to bring the ball into midfield is one of his main attributes, and he popped up with his side’s crucial second goal.
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)
It is refreshing to see a player who made clear his desire to leave giving his all for a club. It would have been easy for Mahrez to follow the lead of Virgil van Dijk or Phillipe Coutinho and make himself unavailable for selection, but he was superb for Leicester, playing a part in both goals, and was a constant thorn in Brighton’s side.
Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
In a game lacking quality, it was Mooy who stepped up to provide the moment of brilliance. The Australian was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch, and it was a wonderful strike to give the Terriers all three points.
David Luiz (Chelsea)
An unfamiliar role for Luiz in the centre of midfield, but one where he had a massive impact on the game. The Brazilian kept both Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen relatively quiet, and crucially won the ball in the lead up to Chelsea’s winner.
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
You won’t see many better free kicks all season. He could easily have left it to either Willian or David Luiz, but took responsibility and delivered a stunning strike. There has been talk of Chelsea looking to replace Alonso this summer, but they won’t find many better wing backs than the Spaniard, and even fewer capable of coming up with crucial goals like the two he provided this weekend.
Richarlison (Watford)
It was rumoured that the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea had an interest in the young Brazilian before he signed on the dotted line at Vicarage Road, and it is clear to see why. Richarlison was a constant threat with his pace and power, and Watford could be a real force with him alongside Andre Gray and Troy Deeney this season.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
It is becoming abundantly clear that Liverpool’s most important player is no longer Philippe Coutinho, and is in fact Mane. The Senegalese winger was the difference yet again for the Reds as they picked up three points against Crystal Palace, despite Jurgen Klopp choosing to rest a number of players.
Javier Hernandez (West Ham)
It seemed inevitable that Hernandez would score goals following his move from Bayer Leverkusen, and at £16 million, he’s already beginning to look like a bargain. He’s still one of football’s most dangerous players in and around the box, and may have been on the winning side had it not been for Marko Arnautovic’s ridiculous red card.
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