In a weekend where managerial heads rolled, the action on the pitch continued to throw up shocks galore as the relegation, title and top four race look set to go down to the wire in the Premier League.
Manchester City and Arsenal both recorded 4-1 wins to pull away at the top of the table, while Newcastle United leapfrogged Manchester United and into third thanks to a 2-0 win over the Red Devils.
At the other end of the table, there were massive wins for West Ham, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace as the bottom seven continue to be separated by just five points.
Here’s who we thought stood out from the latest round of action.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 GK: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
- 2 RB: John Stones (Manchester City)
- 3 CB: Nayef Aguerd (West Ham)
- 4 CB: Ben White (Arsenal)
- 5 LB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
- 6 CM: Joe Willock (Newcastle United)
- 7 CM: John McGinn (Aston Villa)
- 8 CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
- 9 RW: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
- 10 ST: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
- 11 LW: Jack Grealish (Manchester City)
GK: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
The Argentine has continued to prove his worth to Aston Villa and Argentina this season, and the trip to Stamford Bridge was no different.
The Villa no.1 made 7 saves, keeping out almost two expected goals, in what proved to be the last game of Potter’s reign.
Emi Martinez vs. Chelsea
🧤 7 Saves
👐 6 Diving saves
👐 6 Inside the Box Saves
✋ 100% Shot Stops
🎯 10 Accurate Long Balls
📈 8.9 Sofascore Rating6th CLEAN-SHEET in last 7 games for Club & Country. Dibu is in serious mood 🦅 pic.twitter.com/0wnSDGhSx5
— PREMIUMERZA ⭐⭐⭐ (@PREMIUMERZA) April 1, 2023
RB: John Stones (Manchester City)
John Stones vs Liverpool (H)
— ٰ (@joaopcancelo) April 1, 2023
CB: Nayef Aguerd (West Ham)
West Ham’s summer signing has been in and out of the side through injury, but has been exceptional when fit and continues to prove something of a bargain since arriving from Ligue 1.
The Moroccan scored what proved to be a vital winner against Southampton to propel David Moyes’ side up the table and away from the drop zone.
A goal and clean sheet 👏
Aguerd wins your @Trustly MOTM 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/6BM7YU8QHd
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 3, 2023
CB: Ben White (Arsenal)
Sparking concern moments before the match when he pulled out of the warmup, Arsenal defender Ben White turned in an excellent performance for the Gunners in their 4-1 thrashing of Leeds United.
The Englishman popped up in the early minutes of the second half to double Arsenal’s lead, and send them on the way to another win as they eye up a first title since 2004.
🎶 Benny White, White, White 🎶 pic.twitter.com/ba3XQ7TzKg
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 2, 2023
LB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
No, Gareth Southgate is not writing this team of the week, but there is yet another right back in defence, with Kieran Trippier proving too good to leave out.
The veteran was linked with Manchester United for several seasons, but turned in an excellent performance against them to keep the dangerous Marcus Rashford quiet, as well as popping up with an assist as his new side Newcastle United pulled the Red Devils apart.
👑 Kieran Trippier was our Man of the Match against Man Utd
📲 Ratings in full: https://t.co/uSOkHIZ0sb#NUFC | #NEWMUN pic.twitter.com/aIpfl9ITbu
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) April 3, 2023
CM: Joe Willock (Newcastle United)
On another day, Joe Willock could have had a hat-trick for Newcastle, missing two guilt-edged chances with the score locked at 0-0.
But, he persevered, and his running from midfield was rewarded with a tap in for the opener, something that his all-round performance fully deserved against the Red Devils.
“THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR WILLOCK” ⚫⚪
Newcastle take the lead ✅ pic.twitter.com/I1zZDMhrQO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2023
CM: John McGinn (Aston Villa)
Scorer of what proved to be the final nail in Graham Potter’s Chelsea coffin, McGinn has become a key part of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side.
The Scot capped a tenacious performance with a fine strike to hand his side all three points, and Potter his P45.
WHAT A STRIKE 😲⚡
John McGinn 👏 pic.twitter.com/aaDgViLWr5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 1, 2023
CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
How bigger clubs than relegation-threatened Newcastle United didn’t sign Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in January 2022 grows more baffling with each passing performance.
The best player on the pitch against Manchester United, he is the heartbeat of Eddie Howe’s side and a major reason that they are currently in pole position to reach the Champions League next season.
Calm under pressure. 😎🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/Dypvk0ZRsa
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 3, 2023
RW: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
In-form Ollie Watkins up against a defensive pairing of Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella always looked a mismatch, and so it proved.
The Englishman had one chance even before he scored, but his goal itself was a moment of brilliance to lift the ball over the onrushing Kepa.
Keeping the Blues defence honest all game, he continues to blossom under Unai Emery.
3 – Ollie Watkins is one of only three players to have hit double figures for goals in each of the last three Premier League seasons (10 in 2022-23), along with Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah. Repeat. pic.twitter.com/dXTMYNAx0f
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 1, 2023
ST: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Even the most stone-hearted football fan will have enjoyed Jesus’ first goal after three months out with injury, even if it did come from the penalty spot.
Dusting himself off to convert the spot-kick he won, the Brazilian added a second in the second half against Leeds and his return could be just what Arsenal need to get over the finish line this season.
Fantastic free-flowing football ❤️ pic.twitter.com/puD6HySYrm
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 2, 2023
LW: Jack Grealish (Manchester City)
The undoubted star of Manchester City’s win over Liverpool, Grealish put in a performance that fully justified his hefty price tag as he left Trent Alexander-Arnold chasing shadows for 90 minutes.
Grealish ended the day with a goal and an assist, but that was only part of his excellent outing, which saw him drive his home to victory.
Jack Grealish bags a well-deserved goal to give Man City a 4-1 lead!! 🙌
He is in some serious form at the moment! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/56NUIqJnEX
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 1, 2023
