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We are now four weeks into the Premier League season, and the table is beginning to take shape. We are now down to just three teams who have a 100% winning record, while there is still one team yet to win a single point.
Saturday lunchtime saw Liverpool continue their winning start, with a 2-1 win away at Leicester City, despite Alisson Becker’s shocking error. Later in the day, Chelsea joined them on four wins out of four, with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth.
West Ham’s dreadful start to the season continued, as they lost their fourth straight game, against Wolves, Adama Traore netting a brilliant late winner. Manchester City returned to winning ways with a victory over Newcastle, thanks to a stunning second-half strike from Kyle Walker.
On Sunday, Tottenham’s 100% winning record to the season came to an end at Watford, who continued their winning start with an impressive second-half comeback. Manchester United put a torrid couple of weeks behind them with a win at Burnley, Romelu Lukaku netting twice.
These are the standout performers of the season so far in each position.
Goalkeepers
His team may be without a win so far this season, but not many players have started the season better than Cardiff City’s Neil Etheridge. The first player from the Philippines to play in the Premier League, Etheridge saved penalties in both of his opening two games, and has continued that form ever since. He may have let in three goals against Arsenal on Sunday, but he still made some good saves, and kept his side in the game.
Elsewhere, Alisson Becker conceded his first goal of the season, and was sadly wholly responsible for it. Southampton’s Alex McCarthy put in a strong performance against Crystal Palace, making a number of good stops in the 2-0 win at Selhurst Park. It was also a good week for Rui Patricio, who helped Wolves to a first win since their return to the Premier League.
Top Five:
5) Ederson (Manchester City)
4) Ben Foster (Watford)
3) Rui Patricio (Wolves)
2) Alex McCarthy (Southampton)
1) Neil Etheridge (Cardiff City)
Full-backs/Wing-backs
We have seen some excellent performances from full-backs since the start of the season. Marcos Alonso continued his impressive start to the season, as he put in a Man of the Match performance for Chelsea against Bournemouth. The Manchester City pair of Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker have also started the season well, with the latter netting the winner against Newcastle United.
Luke Shaw also continued his strong start to the season, and has now started in four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since he broke his leg in 2014. Another British left-back who continues to impress is Andrew Robertson, and he played a key role in helping Liverpool to their fourth straight win. Someone else who has won four games in a row is Jose Holebas, who has been a massive part of Watford’s unbeaten start to the season, and was excellent once again in their win over Tottenham.
Top Ten
10) Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
9) Daryl Janmaat (Watford)
8) Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
7) Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
6) Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
5) Kieran Tripper (Tottenham)
4) Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
3) Jose Holebas (Watford)
2) Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City)
1) Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Centre-backs
There does seem to have been a lack of quality defending in the Premier League this season. There have been some good defensive displays, however. The Liverpool pair of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have both started well, with Joel Matip having to be content with a place on the bench, and Dejan Lovren going to have to fight for a place in the side when he returns from injury.
Watford’s centre-back partnership of Christian Kabasele and Craig Cathcart have also started well, with the Hornets building on a good defensive record at the start of the season. Manchester City have also started well, particularly Aymeric Laporte, who has appeared in all four of their games so far this season.
Top Ten
10) Willy Boly (Wolves)
9) Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
8) Jannik Vestergaard (Southampton)
7) John Stones (Manchester City)
6) Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
5) Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
4) Craig Cathcart (Watford)
3) Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
2) Christian Kabasele (Watford)
1) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Centre-midfielders
In the centre of the park, players from the promoted sides have really made their mark. Ruben Neves has proved why he is such hot property, and his partnership with Joao Moutinho is looking very good. At Fulham, Jean Michael Seri has reminded everyone why there was interest in him from the top clubs this summer.
Another man who has hit the ground running in the Premier League is Chelsea’s Jorginho, who also seems to have bought the best out of N’Golo Kante. It is perhaps the most experienced of the lot who has been the best though. James Milner remains a key cog in the Liverpool, despite the big money arrivals of Fabinho and Naby Keita, and he also equalled David Beckham on 80 assists in the Premier League era.
Top Ten
10) David Silva (Manchester City)
9) Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
8) Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford)
7) Joao Moutinho (Wolves)
6) Jorginho (Chelsea)
5) Jean Michael Seri (Fulham)
4) Etienne Capoue (Watford)
3) N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
2) Ruben Neves (Wolves)
1) James Milner (Liverpool)
Attacking midfielders/Wingers
Much like everywhere else on the pitch, it has been Watford who have had one of the top players in attacking areas. Roberto Pereyra has had a very good start to the season, and continues to lead the way as far as attacking talent in the Premier League is concerned. In fact, this area is dominated by the teams with a 100% record this season. Pedro continues to pop up with crucial goals this season, while Eden Hazard is getting better and better as he receives more game time.
Sadio Mane has been Liverpool’s star man in attack, netting four times so far this season. Manchester City have also flexed their muscles going forward, despite the serious injury picked up by Kevin de Bruyne. Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva have both stepped up in his absence, and City still look as dangerous as ever.
Top Ten
10) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
9) Andre Schurrle (Fulham)
8) Lucas Moura (Tottenham)
7) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
6) Richarlison (Everton)
5) Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
4) Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
3) Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
2) Pedro (Chelsea)
1) Roberto Pereyra (Watford)
Strikers
In terms of strikers, there are a few familiar names that appear on this list. Sergio Aguero has made a good start with Manchester City, and despite the challenge from Gabriel Jesus for his spot in the side, he has probably been the top player in the league. Romelu Lukaku has been the bright spark in a tough start for Manchester United, while Roberto Firmino netted his first goal against Leicester City this weekend.
There are some different names on the list though. Aleksandar Mitrovic has continued his good form from the second half of last season, and looks like an excellent signing for Fulham. Troy Deeney, a man who has often received criticism in the past, has started well, and looks, fitter, and stronger than last year. It is also good to see Danny Ings doing well after two serious knee injuries.
Top Ten
10) Andre Gray (Watford)
9) Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
8) Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
7) Glenn Murray (Brighton & Hove Albion)
6) Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
5) Danny Ings (Southampton)
4) Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
3) Troy Deeney (Watford)
2) Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
1) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
