There were 26 goals scored in the nine top flight games played this weekend, Three came at Old Trafford yesterday in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over top-four rivals Chelsea. Four were scored at the Vitality on Saturday, with Bournemouth scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw against Newcastle. Liverpool put four past Westham at Anfield, as did Brighton against Swansea at the Amex – whilst Watford only needed one to see off Everton at Vicarage Road.
Arsenal and Manchester City are not in action until Thursday as they contested the Carabao Cup final yesterday, with City coming out on top in a 3-0 victory at Wembley.
So these are the 11 players that stood out as per PML Daily corespondent Shaban Lubega, in a 3:4:3 formation.
GK. Oretis Karnezis(Watford).
One of only two goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet over the weekend, the other being Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris who clearly didn’t have much to do.
The Greek number one made a couple of interesting saves that ensured his team bag their third win in the last eight games and in the process return to the top half of the table.
CB. Shane Duffy(Brighton and Hove Albion).
He should have scored on the weekend only for his header to hit the woodwork but that could not take away the fact that Duffy had another solid game protecting his goalkeeper and such performances are what his side require if they are to stay up this season.
CB. Christopher Schindler(Huddersfield Town).
The German was impressive as his side cubed vital three points in their bid for survival this season.
Against the likes of Solomon Randon and Jay Rodriguez away from home, even the best defenders in the league tend to struggle but Schindler barely put a foot wrong on Saturday.
CB. Andrew Robertson(Liverpool).
Alberto Moreno should surely be cursing the time he got injured a few games into the season because his return to the starting eleven at Liverpool continues to be shut by Robertson.
The 23 year old Scot continues to impress in a number that has been a problem for the Kops over a period of time and against West Ham on Saturday, the former Hull defender continued is magnificent displays and was only denied an assist by the fact that Muhammad Salah used his head to try and score from his(Robertson) cross. Had the Algerian used his left leg that has scored 20 goals, may be the Scot would be celebrating his second assist in the league this season.
MF. Scott McTominey(Manchester United) .
Young McTominey was tasked with one of the hardest jobs to do in the Premier league and that is marking Edin Hazard out of the game. He may not have passed with flying colours but he was no where near failing.
Many have already touted him to be the next Micheal Carrick but the young Englishman still has along way to go and will need even better performances in big games as compared to his show against Chelsea on Sunday to match those expectations
MF. Emre Can(Lievrpool).
Blew hot and cold in the game against West Ham on Saturday but his goal and assist can not be undermined as they set the tempo for the win that took Liverpool temporarily second on the log. His current deal at Anfield expires in the summer and if he were to go, what a prospect Liverpool will have lost in the process.
MF. Willian (Chelsea).
Willian is in the form of his life at the moment. After a brilliant display against Barcelona in the Champions league, he also stood out amongst his peers in the 2-1 loss against Man United on Sunday.
He did not start the season as brightly but of late, The Brazilian seems to have found his feet and it is no surprise that his name is already among the 15 that Tite(Brazil coach) has already confirmed for Russia’s world cup in June.
MF. Muhammad Salah(Liverpool)
What a season Salah is having! Score his 23 goal in the league and his 20th with the left leg(record) as his side ran out 4-1 victors at home to West Ham.
The Algerian international has already won the hearts of the Liverpool faithfuls and despite his performance against West Ham not being the best in a Reds shirt, he does not seem anywhere near done this season.
FW. Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United) .
The South African will be gutted his team did not all three points away to Bournemouth on Saturday and he rightly should be.
Gayle put Newcastle 2-0 up with his two goals on for his side to concede two second half goals including a late one but his contributions did not go un noticed as he makes the PML Daily team of the week.
FW. Glenn Murrey (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Should have bagged a hat trick but rules are rules and the off side rule denied him the match ball.
Never the less, the big forward was at the peak of things as his side continued their impressive return to the top flight with a sound 4-1 victory at home to Swansea City and Murrey grabbed two of the four goals.
FW. Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United).
Argubely his best performance in a United shirt came this past weekend in the 2-1 home win over Chelsea.
The big Belgian started slowly and managed to score the equaliser and then set up the winner for substitute Jese Lingard and them put the crowed on their feet with a 40 or so yard run towards the end despite not having the desired result as his goal bound shot was blocked by Andreas Christiansen.
Coach: David Wagner (Huddersfield Town).
Master-mined the 2-1 win at West Brom over the weekend which was the Terriers second away victory away from home since the opening day victory over Crystal Palace.
Wagner’s side may not be safe from relegation already but they now seat a comfortable three points from the drop and can breathe a sigh of relief.
