There was no shortage of entertainment in the Premier League over the weekend, with shock results, epic comebacks and star performances, but who makes Sports Cast HQ’s team of the week?
Goalkeeper – Alisson Becker – Liverpool
A mighty performance from arguably the best Premier League shot-stopper over the last 10 years, helped Liverpool to a 3-1 win over struggling Crystal Palace. The Brazilian number one was unlucky to keep his clean-sheet after a late consolation penalty from Eddie Nketiah.
Alisson made six saves during the match and prevented 1.54 goals, the highest from any goalkeeper this weekend. His saves from Daichi Kamada and Yeremy Pino were equally as important as goals in his side’s victory in South London.
Right-back – Jair Cunha – Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest picked up their first home win of the season in an impressive 3-1 display over Manchester City. The second Brazilian in this team of the week is earned by Jair Cunha. After opening the scoring with a well taken finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma, he prevented a nailed on goal for Erling Haaland just before the break, earning his place at right back in our Team of the Week.
Centre-back – Luka Vušković – Brighton
One of the standout players so far this season, Brighton’s Luka Vušković has been nothing short of spectacular. The 19-year old Croatian international has helped his side climb to second in the table. In Sunday’s 2-0 win against Brentford, Vušković won the most duels (11), completed the most clearances (5) and won his side a penalty. Vušković and his fellow defenders have kept the joint most clean sheets this season (7).
Brighton’s fee of £45 million to Tottenham Hotspurs looks like an absolute bargain so far.
Centre-back – Ezri Konsa – Arsenal
With William Saliba’s return from injury looking imminent, manager Mikel Arteta will be left with a difficult decision to make. With Gabriel undroppable, Ezri Konsa’s performances since joining from Aston Villa in the summer, have been exceptional also making him undroppable. He has started eight league games this season, keeping five clean sheets including one over the weekend.
In Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Hull City, Konsa made eight clearances, and won all of his ground (2) and aerial (5) duels. As well, he completed 52/55 passes (95%).
Left-back – Vitaliy Mykolenko – Everton
Everton are enjoying a positive start to the season, sitting sixth in the league, two points of Liverpool in fourth place. Their 3-1 win over Coventry was their third win in eight days. Ukrainian international Vitaliy Mykolenko had an impressive game for the Toffees, assisting Thierno Barry’s equaliser in the 56th minute. Mykolenko won nine of his duels and made eight clearances during the 90 minutes.
Right Midfielder – Alysson – Aston Villa
Manchester United and Aston Villa played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday. United became the first team to come back from two goals down twice in a Premier League match.
The away side couldn’t have had a better start after Alysson’s effort managed to find its way past Senne Lammen’s in the United goal inside the first minute. Minutes later, Alysson’s shot forced Lammens to parry it to the feet of Nicolas Jackson who slotted home to double Villa’s lead. In the second half, the Brazilian winger won his side a penalty after Diogo Dalot brought him down inside the 18-yard box.
Centre-midfield – Pascal Gross – Brighton
Brighton’s veteran midfielder Pascal Gross has been one of the standout Premier League players so far this season, and has been a catalyst for Brighton’s success. No midfielder has provided more goals and assists this season than the German (8).
Gross played a huge part in Brighton’s 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday, covering more distance than any other player (12.1km), completing the most passes (80) and scoring from the penalty spot.
Centre-midfield – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Everton
After the disappointment earlier in the day after not receiving a call-up for the England squad, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put in an excellent performance against Coventry later that evening. His strong start to the season had seen him backed by many to be called up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Dewsbury-Hall won five tackles, created one big chance and scored to seal a 3-1 win for The Toffees.
Left Midfielder – Florian Wirtz – Liverpool
Florian Wirtz has been yet to live up to his £125 million pound billing, however the past few weeks, he appears to be showing some of his worth. A goal and an assist against Crystal Palace on Sunday helped his side to a much needed win after two consecutive defeats.
Wirtz doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 54th minute, slotting his effort past Dean Henderson from 12 yards out. He then laid off the ball to Alexander Isak who fired past Henderson to pick up his fourth assist of the season.
Striker – Thierno Barry – Everton
Thierno Barry is having an excellent season in blue. After a difficult first season at Everton, he has silenced his critics and established himself as an important attacking threat for the Toffees. His display against Coventry on Friday night was impressive.
Scoring two goals and assisting the third has earned Barry a spot in our Team of the Week. The Frenchman has now scored 10 goals and three assists in 13 games this season.
Striker – Liam Delap – Nottingham Forest
It feels like Liam Delap has now truly arrived at The City Ground. A performance to win over his doubters on Saturday was capped off by a stunning second-half strike to give Nottingham Forest a huge three points against Manchester City.
Delap capitalised on a defensive mishap from City in the 18th minute to give forest a 2-0 lead. Rayan Cherki pulled one back for the away side with a sublime half-volley, however it wasn’t enough to start a comeback. In the 73rd minute, Morgan Gibbs-White played a through ball to Delap, who fired his left footed effort into the top corner, with the ball clipping the inside of the post on its way in.
