Premier League 2019-20: Player Power Rankings | Week 1

#6 Erik Pieters

Pieters was solid defensively and claimed two assists

31-year-old Erik Pieters started at the left-back spot for Burnley against Southampton. He assisted two out of the 3 goals that Burnley scored. His first assist was meant only as a clearance which was misjudged by the Southampton defenders as it bounced over their heads and fell to Barnes, who dribbled and finished.

The second assist was a well-weighted and measured ball which curved into the far post of the Southampton goal where it was met again as the score went to 2-0 in a matter of 7 minutes.

In the defensive end, Pieters put up good numbers. He won 7 tackles and 1 aerial duel, both at 88% and 100% success rate respectively. In addition to that, he made 2 clearances and 2 interceptions. In-game, he had the most number of touches on the ball and the most number of successful tackles. He was dribbled past only once and made 5 ball recoveries as well.

It was quite an unexpected performance from the 31-year-old and we'll see if he keeps up the intensity in the coming matchdays.