Welcome to the Sportskeeda Power Ranking of attackers in the Premier League. The ranking is done after every gameweek on a cumulative basis to find out the final top 10 come May. The main criteria for ranking the players is their contribution to goals, either by scoring them or creating them.
Also Read – SK Power Ranking: Top 10 EPL attackers - Gameweek 19
When players have a similar number of goals and assists, the importance of the goal/assist, the consistency in performances and the minutes per goal/assist is considered to rank them.
So, a player scoring/assisting in three consecutive games will have a higher ranking than a player picking the same number of goals/assists in one game and drawing blanks in the rest. Similarly, a player scoring winning goals, having better minutes per goal/assist will occupy a higher position.
The power rankings further act as a guide for players of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) because the list consists of the most consistent players, which in turn implies they fetch the highest points.
Firstly, the previous gameweek’s poll on the best attacker for gameweek 19 was claimed by Harry Kane who secured 30% of the votes. He scored a brace and picked up an assist against Watford in a welcome return to form.
Now, coming to gameweek 20, the busy festive fixtures concluded as the second-half of the season got underway. The battle between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez for top spot continues this week. Meanwhile, we see which attackers are pushing the top two and who has made their first entry into the rankings.
Also Read - EPL 2016/17: 5 Talking Points from Matchweek 20
Let’s first take a look at the watch-list for the gameweek.
Watchlist
Olivier Giroud
Gameweek 19 ranking – N/A
The Arsenal forward followed up his previous gameweek’s wonder strike by being at the heart of his side’s comeback from 3-0 down to pick up a point against Bournemouth. The Frenchman set up two goals and scored the equalising goal and this brings him into the watch-list for the first time.
Jermain Defoe
Gameweek 19 ranking – N/A
Defoe was pivotal for Sunderland to stay up last season and has been the main man once again for the Black Cats this season. He scored a couple of penalties against 2nd placed Liverpool to secure a valuable point for Sunderland in their battle against relegation. His consistent performances see him enter the watch-list.
Chris Brunt
Gameweek 19 ranking – N/A
The West Brom player makes a re-entry into the watch-list with a fine header from a corner against Hull. Normally, known for his quality with his left foot, Brunt’s header helps him sneak a place onto the list.
Andre Gray
Gameweek 19 ranking – 10th
Andre Gray failed to bag a goal/assist in Burnley’s clash with Manchester City and he drops out of the top ten because of that. He needs to be more consistent to stake a more regular place in the top ten.
Now, let’s delve into the top 10 attackers in the Premier League for Gameweek 20.
#10 Diego Costa
Gameweek 19 ranking – 8
Match performance – no goal/assist and end of Chelsea’s winning streak
The league’s leading goalscorer had a game to forget against Tottenham as Chelsea’s 13-game winning streak came to an end in North London. Costa was stifled by Spurs’ three-man defence in an adept manner while Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele prevented the Spaniard from having a moment’s time on the ball.
Nevertheless, he worked hard throughout the match and tried his best to make things happen. The blank drops him to the edge of the top ten this gameweek and he will be hoping to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
#9 Harry Kane
Gameweek 19 ranking – 7
Match performance – no goal/assist and an important win
Harry Kane was busy for the entire game against Chelsea and put in a shift in Tottenham’s win against the league leaders. However, he failed to score or pick up an assist in the game before he was substituted in the dying minutes by manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Similar to Costa, Kane drops down a couple of places to 9th as the festive fixtures comes to a close.
#8 Sadio Mane
Gameweek 19 ranking – 9
Match performance – one goal and off to AFCON
The Liverpool wide-man was back among the goals in his last match for a while due to his impending participation in the African Cup of Nations with Senegal. However, what looked like a parting gift quickly turned into a bad memory for the player and fans alike.
Mane got away from his marker to tap Liverpool into the lead in the second-half. However, he was guilty of using his hand for stopping a ball inside his own box towards the end of the game. The resulting penalty was converted by Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe and the match ended in a draw. When Mane returns from the AFCON, he will have a huge challenge in re-entering the top ten.
#7 Matt Phillips
Gameweek 19 ranking – N/A
Match performance – two corners and direct top ten entry
Phillips has truly been an underdog performer in the Premier League this season with not many knowing his name or his contribution to West Brom’s success. The Scottish winger is having a stellar season at the Hawthorns and has scored four goals along with picking up six assists prior to this gameweek.
He climbed into 2nd place in the assists category this week by delivering two superb corners for Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley to head into goal. The assists also propel him into the power rankings for the first time this season and he debuts at 7th spot.
#6 Adam Lallana
Gameweek 19 ranking – 5
Match performance – no goal/assist and marathon man
Adam Lallana drew a blank in Liverpool’s draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Although he was his usual self with neat passes, runs and creativity, the exertions of having played just under 48 hours earlier showed as Liverpool failed to secure three points.
However, Lallana’s engine was on display as he clocked 26.1 kms against Manchester City and Sunderland combined. It is this combination of energy and skill that makes Lallana the complete midfielder that he is. He needs to keep delivering consistently, however, if he is to stay in the top half of the rankings.
#5 Cesc Fabregas
Gameweek 19 ranking – 4
Match performance – no goal/assist and came on as a substitute
Fabregas was replaced by Nemanja Matic in the starting XI as Antonio Conte sought the extra defensive work-rate of the latter. Despite Fabregas bagging a goal/assist in five of the last six games he has played in, the permanent starting spot continues to elude him.
The Spaniard came on as a substitute late in the second half as Chelsea chased a two-goal lead and did little to cut down the deficit. Fabregas will find it difficult to stay in the rankings if his contributions dwindle due to lack of game-time and he would need to make every minute on the pitch count in that scenario.
#4 Dele Alli
Gameweek 19 ranking – 6
Match performance – two goals and ending Chelsea’s streak
Dele Alli has been the most in-form player over the festive period and he extended his stunning run by scoring a match-winning brace against Chelsea. The goals ended Chelsea’s 13-game winning run while Alli became the first Premier League midfielder to score three consecutive braces.
The 20-year old Englishman timed his run to perfection for both the headers as he got in between the Blues defenders to create space. He followed that up by directing the ball expertly beyond Thibaut Courtois from Christian Eriksen’s crosses. Both the goals were created and scored in a similar fashion and help Alli jump two places to 4th
#3 Christian Eriksen
Gameweek 19 ranking – 3
Match performance – two assists and match-winning ones
Christian Eriksen had a strong game against Watford in the previous gameweek without directly contributing a goal or assist. He improved on it to play a crucial part in Tottenham’s win over Chelsea. The Dane combined with Kyle Walker and Dele Alli to set up two identical goals.
Walker’s surging run pushed Chelsea’s defence back allowing Eriksen space and time to receive the right back’s pass and deliver two exquisite crosses for Alli to head home. The performance puts the Dane hot on the heels of the leaders and he is bound to make the coming weeks interesting.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
Gameweeks at top – 4
Gameweek 19 ranking – 2
Match performance – one goal and starting a comeback
Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal were in for a surprise against Bournemouth as the Cherries went 3-0 up, setting Arsene Wenger’s side up for a disappointing defeat. However, the Gunners displayed tremendous spirit to stage an unlikely comeback thereby salvaging a point.
Sanchez ignited the comeback when he headed Olivier Giroud’s knock-down past the keeper. The Chilean showed good movement and positioning for the goal and yet he finds himself in second place as his one goal contribution was matched by the rankings’ leader as well.
#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Gameweek 19 ranking – 1
Match performance – one goal and defying age
At 35 years of age, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 18 goals in all competitions and 13 of those came in the league. He sits only behind Diego Costa in the race for the Golden Boot and as stated by him before the match against West Ham, he has definitely silenced his critics.
The Swede continued his goalscoring run with a good goal to seal Manchester United’s win although he was in an offside position. The linesman failed to spot it and Zlatan took full advantage of the opportunity to bury Ander Herrera’s pass and extend his stay at the top for another gameweek.
