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, as this is a ranking for attackers.
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 good 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 18 was won once again by Zlatan Ibrahimovic by a landslide 77% of the votes. His terrific performance of one goal and two assists against Sunderland sealed the deal.
Now, coming to gameweek 19, the busy festive fixtures continue as we approach the half-way mark of this season. Alexis Sanchez’s reign at the top was ended by Zlatan last week. So, it has to be seen whether there has been another change at the top. Further, there have been a number of impressive performances causing quite a shift in the hierarchy this gameweek.
Let us first take a look at the watch-list for this week.
Watch-list
Willian
Gameweek 18 ranking – N/A
The Brazilian makes the watch-list for the first time with a fine brace for Chelsea against Stoke, putting the Blues ahead twice. The first goal was well-taken from Eden Hazard’s lay-off and the second one was a thumping finish into the roof of the net.
Mesut Ozil
Gameweek 18 ranking – 10th
The Arsenal creator-in-chief missed his side’s home clash against Crystal Palace due to an illness and this sees him drop out of the top ten into the watch-list.
David Silva
Gameweek 18 ranking – 9th
Silva was Manchester City’s lone shining light in their loss to Liverpool. However, he failed to make any notable contribution and drops out of the top ten.
Divock Origi
Gameweek 18 ranking – 6th
The 21-year old Belgian was dropped to the bench in a tactical move by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. He came on as a substitute in the second-half and did well for Liverpool to hold on to the lead but a lack of definitive impact moves him out of the top ten.
Now, let’s find out the top 10 attackers in the PL after this gameweek.
#10 Andre Gray
Gameweek 18 ranking – N/A
Match performance – a record hat-trick and the match ball
Andre Gray scored the first ever hat-trick for Burnley in the Premier League and in the process made his way into the power rankings for the first time. The Burnley no.7 latched onto a mishit John O’Shea header to run away and score his first goal. For his second, he showed good composure to brush aside Papy Djilobodji, who impeded him and raced past the keeper to coolly slot home for the second.
Gray then completed the hat-trick when Ashley Barnes set him up and entered Burnley’s record books in the process. His terrific performance allows for the entry into the power rankings and he needs to maintain consistency if he needs to have a longer stay.
#9 Sadio Mane
Gameweek 18 performance – 5th
Match performance – no significant contribution
The Senegalese international had a quiet game by his high standards. However, he always looked threatening while running with the ball at his feet and put in the hard work to secure three points for Liverpool in his penultimate game before heading for the AFCON.
He drops to 9th in this gameweek due to a lack of impact and needs to do something spectacular in the next game if he needs to stay in the rankings during his absence.
#8 Diego Costa
Gameweek 18 ranking – 7th
Match performance – one goal and a good return from suspension
The PL’s leading goalscorer returned from suspension against Stoke and continued his fine form with another goal which put the game to bed. After missing a good chance to score from a counter, he outmuscled Bruno Martins Indi and unleashed a ferocious shot with little back-lift to score his 14th goal of the season.
The goal saw Chelsea overcome Stoke 4-2 to seal the 13th consecutive win for the Blues and maintain a six-point lead at the top. However, Costa slides down the rankings due to superior performances all round in the PL.
#7 Harry Kane
Gameweek 18 ranking – N/A
Match performance – two goals, one assist and starting 2017 with a bang
Harry Kane made his 100th PL appearance against Watford and commemorated the occasion with a Man of the Match performance. He was back among the goals by scoring a first-half brace to put Tottenham in command. Kieran Trippier slid him through for the first goal and then delivered a superb cross for the second goal with Kane showing his poacher instinct.
His 59 goals in the first 100 games is among the best in the PL and is equal to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s tally at a similar stage. Kane added to his haul by picking up an assist as he eyed the run of Dele Alli through the middle and crossed the ball for the latter to score. This terrific performance brings Kane right into 6th place and ensures he starts 2017 with a bang.
#6 Dele Alli
Gameweek 18 ranking – Watch-list
Match performance – two goals and back-to-back braces
Dele Alli followed up his brace against Southampton with another one against Watford. He pounced on a poor clearance by former Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul in the second-half to score his first goal and then showed great composure to bring Kane’s cross under control before putting it past the goalkeeper for his second.
He also crashed a screamer against the woodwork and had another superb game. The performances speak of a maturity beyond his age of 20 years and further, Alli is already a vital cog in Spurs’ system, which underlines his quality.
#5 Adam Lallana
Gameweek 18 ranking – 4th
Match performance – one assist and a match-winning one
The Englishman has been in fine form this season and a change in position for the clash against Manchester City to the left wing did not deter him from making an impact. Lallana was set free on the left-hand side by Roberto Firmino in the first-half and the former delivered a superb cross for Georginio Wijnaldum to score a bullet header that turned out to be the winner.
Lallana showed his defensive side as well to help Liverpool see out the win. The Englishman with seven goals and seven assists so far this season has been involved in more goals than any other midfielder in Europe’s top 5 leagues. This highlights the development of Lallana into the complete midfielder under Jurgen Klopp and his ability will definitely benefit both club and country.
#4 Cesc Fabregas
Gameweek 18 ranking – 8th
Match performance – two assists and into the record books
Cesc Fabregas continued his fine goal-assisting form with a couple of assists to become the fastest player to accumulate 100 assists in the Premier League. The Spaniard took just 293 appearances whereas Ryan Giggs, who holds the PL record for the highest number of assists (162), took 367 appearances for reaching the century landmark, further emphasising the class and quality of the player.
Fabregas picked up his first assist of the game from a corner for Gary Cahill to nod home the opener. His second assist came in the second-half when he released Willian behind the Stoke defence to thrust Chelsea ahead in the match. After being overlooked for the first few months by Antonio Conte, Fabregas has returned to the side with a bang.
#3 Christian Eriksen
Gameweek 18 ranking – 3rd
Match performance – solid display and yet nothing to show for
The Dane put on a solid shift for Tottenham against Watford by creating five chances, winning five tackles and taking three shots. However, he failed to bag a goal or an assist in the 4 – 1 rout with Harry Kane and Dele Alli scoring braces.
However, Eriksen’s previous performances help him hold on to his place for this gameweek and he missed an opportunity to push the 2nd placed player as well. Spurs and Eriksen have a tough match next against league leaders Chelsea and the Mauricio Pochettino will need the Dane in good form for obtaining a positive result.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
Gameweeks at top – 4
Gameweek 18 ranking – 2nd
Match performance – one assist and keeping pace with the leader
Alexis Sanchez was at it right from the beginning against Crystal Palace and yet managed to obtain only one assist in the entire game. He played his part in an Arsenal-esque goal finished with an unreal scorpion kick by Olivier Giroud and also had a great chance to score when the ball fell kindly to him in the opposition box. However, he failed to find the back of the net in that instance.
Sanchez stays at second place for now due to his consistency and needs to outperform the no.1 on this list in the upcoming games to reclaim top spot. Meanwhile, the form of North London rivals is one to look out for as Tottenham are picking up form in recent weeks.
#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Gameweek 18 ranking – 1st
Match performance – one knockdown, one disallowed goal and holds on to top spot
The giant Swede’s illustrious form continued in a comeback win for Manchester United against Middlesbrough. Zlatan was denied a first-half goal for a high boot from a pacy Anthony Martial delivery. However, he still managed to contribute after the break when United fell a goal behind.
Paul Pogba’s long pass was knocked down perfectly by Zlatan on to the path of Anthony Martial who finished it with ease to bring United level. Pogba then sealed the win for United making it six in a row for Jose Mourinho’s side. The assist is enough for Zlatan to hold on to his top spot for this gameweek with Sanchez breathing down his neck.
