Clean sheets and goalless draws saw the fewest number of goals being scored over the weekend in the Premier League (19) and Eredivisie (18) as compared to the La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1, each of which saw around 30 or more across games.
A few classy goals, some stupendous defending and amazing goalkeeping ensured fans had a fulfilling football watch and kept them glued to their seats.
In this piece, we attempt to bring you a select list of 11 players whose performances directly influenced their team’s playing style / result over the weekend.
#1 Harry Arter, Bournemouth
Opponents: Tottenham Hotspur
Competition: Premier League, England
Saturday’s early kick-off saw Bournemouth playing hosts to Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspurs.
Cherries midfielder Harry Arter is amongst our top performers for the weekend after a supreme defensive performance against the title-chasing Londoners.
Arter’s tackles – especially a timely one on Victor Wanyama and his interceptions and blocks were crucial in disrupting the Spurs’ attacking rhythm and thereby frustrating the likes of Son and Alli.
The midfielder played without his usual partner in the centre of the park and put in a commendable shift to neutralise the Spurs frontline. Eddie Howe’s side took a deserved point from the engaging encounter and they will have man-of-the-match Harry to thank for it..
#2 Eden Hazard, Chelsea
Opponents: Manchester United
In Sunday’s exciting encounter, Manchester United turned up at Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea who are in good form since manager Antonio Conte tweaked their formation following the 3-0 loss to Arsenal.
Eden Hazard, along with teammate N’Golo Kante, hustled and breezed past the opposition and was a constant source of threat for the men in red.
United found it difficult to deal with Hazard’s directness which was evident throughout the game; he was duly rewarded for his efforts as he scored a superb goal just after the hour mark - Chelsea’s third - to put the game to bed on Jose Mourinho’s first visit to the Bridge as United boss.
It was also his corner which led to Cahill’s goal in the first half of the game.
#3 Leo Messi, Barcelona
Opponents: Valencia CF
Competition: La Liga, Spain
What is a list without the world’s best, eh?
The super-talented Messi scored two vital goals to give Barcelona all three points and take them top of the table (albeit temporarily) on Saturday evening.
The maestro is yet to regain full fitness post his brief absence due to a groin injury but ensured that his class shone through on an otherwise see-saw evening for the Catalans.
Messi’s first gave Barca the lead but Valencia equalised and then took the lead through Munir and Rodrigo. Suarez scored Barca’s second goal and won an important penalty in the dying minutes of the game.
Cue for Messi to step up and he did just that. The Argentine coolly slotted home from the spot and left Valencia goalkeeper Alves, a terrific penalty-stopper himself, stunned.
#4 Iago Aspas, Celta Vigo
Opponents: Deportivo La Coruna
Competition: La Liga, Spain
A brace from Iago Aspas gave Celta Vigo a comfortable win and took them to 8th place against Deportivo La Coruna, who are hovering just around the relegation zone after the result.
Celta took the lead in just over half an hour but Deportivo levelled proceedings soon after.
Past the hour mark, Celta were awarded a penalty which Aspas stepped up and converted with poise. Moments from the end of the game, local boy Aspas piled on the minnows’ misery by scoring a spectacular goal.
Os Célticos goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez had kicked the ball long and high; the former Liverpool and Sevilla man took it on his chest and made a superb run, ending with a low finish into the bottom corner of the net sending the home fans into frenzy.
#5 Nabil Bentaleb, Schalke 04
Opponents: FSV Mainz 05
Competition: Bundesliga, Germany
Nabil Bentaleb capped an all-round impressive showing with two scintillating goals that helped Schalke sink Mainz comfortably at the Veltins Arena.
The number 10 showed tremendous poise to score the opener from the edge of the box after Franco Di Santo had chested down the ball from a Goretzka cross. The Mainz defenders were too late to arrive and Bentaleb swerved away to celebrate. The Algerian was constantly involved in Schalke’s build-up play and had a part in the team’s second goal as well.
A perfect night was then made even sweeter with a superb strike from Schalke’s hero of the hour, just past the 60-minute mark with a clinical finish from close range.
Bentaleb’s first Bundesliga brace helped the Royal Blues to a second win in three league games after a disastrous five opening matches that culminated in losses.
#6 Dario Lezcano, FC Ingolstadt
Opponents: Borussia Dortmund
Competition: Bundesliga, Germany
The crowd at the Audi Sportpark were in for a thrilling ride as Ingolstadt and Dortmund scored three goals a piece in an intense contest, at the end of which the home side were forced to share their spoils (and points).
Dario Lezcano starred for the hosts, scoring a brilliant header to give his side a two-goal cushion. Thomas Tuchel’s charges were in no mood to sit back after the break and opened their account through Aubameyang.
Lezcano then took matters into his hands again to give the relegation zone team a two-goal margin again. The forward’s powerful strike could not be kept out; on the night, he linked up well with teammates, made use of chances and was a constant nuisance to the opposition defence.
The Paraguayan’s two goals ensured that the home team had something to show for all their efforts after Dortmund came back into the game through goals from Ramos and Pulisic.
#7 Alassane Plea, OGC Nice
Opponents: FC Metz
Competition: Ligue 1, France
OGC Nice striker Alassane Plea’s phenomenal performance, which included a superb hattrick of goals, saw his side stay top of the French league over the weekend.
The club’s regular striker Mario Balotelli’s continued absence due to injury has been a blessing in disguise for the talented Frenchman, who has more than adequately stepped up to cover for his teammate.
Plea’s first goal was the result of a well-timed run, getting on the end of a lovely, perfectly-weighted ball from midfield and sending it smashing into the corner of the net.
Metz equalised before the 23-year-old converted from the spot to bag his second goal for the night to put Nice in front again.
However, an inspired showing from the newly promoted side saw them level again. But Nice weren’t in the mood to give up their top spot as the man-of-the-match Plea once again made an excellent run and drilled the ball into the net strongly.
#8 Kylian Mbappe Lottin, AS Monaco
Opponents: Montpellier Hérault SC
Competition: Ligue 1, France
17-year-olds across the world play video games and/or go off on trips bankrolled by their parents. They study and might spend some time watching football and debating on social media.
There are however, exceptional existences, proves a certain youngster of that age group - Kylian Mbappe.
The teenager stole the show on an extremely satisfying night for the home club which saw them go second in the table, with a wonderful display of assurance and clinical finishing.
He had a shot stopped before being fouled in the box which won his side a penalty.
Mbappe then headed a clean strike into the net with Montpellier’s goalkeeper haplessly left watching. The strike was sweet, resultant of a superb cross but Kylian had to get away from the defender, win his duel and score from range.
That wasn’t enough for the night though as he helped set up Monaco’s 4th goal en route to a dominant 6-2 win over the visitors. It was also the first time Monaco scored 6 goals in a league game at home since 2003 and the young Frenchman had a huge role to play in that.
#9 Manuel Locatelli, AC Milan
Opponents: Juventus
Competition: Serie A, Italy
18-year-old Manuel Locatelli’s solitary strike proved to be the difference and clinched all three points for AC Milan against Serie A table toppers Juventus.
The young Italian had to overcome one of the world’s (and certainly the league’s) best goalkeepers, in addition to besting a strong defence to put the ball into the back of the net. He didn’t disappoint. Locatelli’s thundering shot came off the crossbar but was powerful enough to go right in, 5 minutes after an hour was up on the clock.
The attacking midfielder who has been in terrific form for the Milanese club, showed he has got what it takes to deliver on the big stage – it rarely comes bigger than this!
The game saw AC Milan’s man between the sticks Gianluigi Donnarumma have a poor start, with his mistake leading to a Juve goal that was eventually disallowed. The goalkeeper then made a series of saves, most importantly at the death against a Sami Khedira curler.
However, our vote goes to the man who was unstoppable on the night and that was the Rossoneri teenage midfield sensation whose goal proved decisive.
#10 Federico Bernardeschi, Fiorentina
Opponents: Cagliari
Competition: Serie A, Italy
Fiorentina outplayed hosts Cagliari Calcio to win a thrilling goal-fest 3-5 on Sunday with 22-year-old winger Federico Bernardeschi proving to be the star of the show.
A mesmerising display of finesse and technique by the Viola number 10 was enough to bring home 3 points from the Sardinians.
Federico had an outstanding match, scoring a brace which tilted the game in the visitors’ favour. While his first finish was a low shot drilled into the near post, the second was a beauty which curled into and nested in the top corner of the net.
The player’s eye-catchy outing sealed a much-needed win for his team, who last won a league game at the end of September. The 3 points keeps the Violas (who have a game in hand), in clear sight of Cagliari who are one point and position ahead of them in the league table.
#11 Roy Kortsmit, Sparta Rotterdam
Opponents: PSV Eindhoven
Competition: Eredivisie, Netherlands
Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper Roy Kortsmit was a busy man between the posts on Saturday night.
Although PSV managed to clinch a win, the margin of comfort was cut short by Roy and his superb stops. Philip Cocu’s side were on the back foot for large parts of the game with Sparta testing their resolve time and again.
PSV’s attack lacked a ruthless edge and were ably defended and denied by the Sparta keeper who was in some form! Roy made a stunning 13 saves – a record number in the Eredivisie since the beginning of the previous season.
Their keeper’s meticulousness may not have won the Spartans any points but they put up a brave front and managed to keep PSV at bay. The home side only managed a goal in the 77th minute of the game as Ramselaar lofted one over Kortsmit and into the net.
More Football news, transfer rumours, analysis and features at Sportskeeda.com
