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Liverpool continued their best form since 1990-91 to make it 6 out of 6 wins in the Premier League. Manchester City were 5-0 winners against Cardiff with Mahrez scoring the first goals for his new club. Manchester United had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Wolves at Old Trafford in the presence of Sir Alex Fergusson.
Burnley deservedly earned the first win of the season when they beat Bournemouth 4-0, a big win for Dyche’s men. Aleksandar Mitrovic's second-half goal was necessary for Fulham to earn a fighting draw against the free-flowing Watford FC at Craven Cottage.
Jose Mourinho had lot to answer in the press conference and blamed the attitude of his players for not being clinical enough. Pep Guardiola was happy with Ilkay Gundogan and conveyed to the press that Mahrez and Foden deserve more playing time. Chelsea’s perfect start to the season came to an end when they drew against West ham United in a goalless draw.
A lot happened this week in the Premier League. Here we take a look at the top 5 picks from the same.
#1 Best Goal Scored – Ilkay Gundogan
Gundogan was City’s best player in the first half but his best was seen in City’s third goal. He exchanged one-twos with first Leroy Sane and then Raheem Sterling before opening his body and curling an effort past Neil Etheridge from 20 yards. The goal showed Gundogan’s worth in this City team where every one of the midfield and forward players have a goal in them.
Honourable mention goes to Joao Moutinho’s curling left footer in the 51st minute against Manchester United.
#2 Best Player – Joel Matip
Matip scored an excellent header against Southampton to put Liverpool in a commanding position. The reason Matic’s contribution this week is invaluable is because he gave Liverpool a new dimension in goal scoring. Liverpool has been heavily reliant on their front three to bang in the goals.
But with Matip’s physical power they can now explore the set piece option too whenever available. Not only that, Matip also combined well with Van Dijk to keep a clean sheet. The fact that even after returning to the starting XI after a long time Matip helped Liverpool to extend the great defensive run where Liverpool have not conceded a home league goal in 12-and-a-half hours makes him our best player of the week.
Honourable mention should go to Bernardo Silva for his excellent game against Cardiff City.
#3 Best Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo
After securing the Championship title last season Wolves are showing exactly why they were the best team in English 2nd Division last year. For a large part of yesterday’s match against Manchester United, Wolves were the better team and deserved something out of this game.
Fred’s goal meant Mourinho's side was in the comfort zone of 1-0 lead which is his territory, but Nuno’s men responded to the goal and put pressure on the already underperforming United backline. Moutinho’s equalizer was exactly what Nuno’s men have been doing this season. The draw against City and United cannot be considered as fluke.
Honourable mention goes to Sean Dyche for inspiring his team to their first victory this season against an in-form Bournemouth side.
#4 Best Match: Manchester United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Joao Moutinho’s wonderful effort in the 51st minute was enough to get Wolves something out of an exciting match. Exciting not because there was free-flowing football at display, exciting because the pressure on United players to perform was huge and to see a promoted side restricting the highly expensive United side at their own turf was eye-catching.
United too had some opportunities to win the game but sluggishness shown by Sanchez, Lukaku and Pogba in the second half was enough for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team to get a draw against both Manchester teams in a span of 6 matches.
Honourable mention would go to the Fulham-Watford draw which was also an edge of the seat stuff at Craven Cottage.
#5 Masterstroke of the Week: Erik Lamela substitution
Erik Lamela came on in the 68th minute and scored a vital goal for Spurs to come out of the recent slump and get a win against Brighton. Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Glenn Hoddle has compared Lamela to the club legend Paul Gascoigne. And rightly so, Lamela gives his 100 percent whenever he pulls a Spurs shirt.
Had Lamela not found the back of the net after coming on, Spurs would have failed to register 3 points and the gap between them and top of the table would have widened.
Honourable mention goes to Pep Guardiola for playing Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva both which gave City some great attacking options.
