32 goals went in across 10 games as the Premier League action was dominated by poor officiating on the pitch and through VAR, which has once again hogged the headlines.
West Ham and Newcastle can feel aggrieved to have result-changing goals ruled out, while Aston Villa saw the linesman flag Coutinho offside, when he was in fact onside.
On the pitch, Manchester United ended Arsenal’s 100% start to the season, while a resolute Everton held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw and Manchester City also dropped points, with the traditional top 6 now separated by 6 points, and Graham Potter’s Brighton fighting it out with them in the top 7, currently occupying 4th place.
Here’s who we thought stood out in the weekend’s action.
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📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- 2 RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
- 3 CB: Conor Coady (Everton)
- 4 CB: Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace)
- 5 LB: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
- 6 RM: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
- 7 CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham)
- 8 CM: Alexis MacAllister (Brighton)
- 9 LM: Antony (Manchester United)
- 10 ST: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
- 11 ST: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
- 12 Manchester United loan watch: Henderson, Diallo & more
- 13 Chelsea receive personnel boost as pair spotted travelling for Champions League clash
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
The Merseyside derby ended 0-0, but could have been very different had both goalkeepers been on top form at Goodison Park. Alisson made a pair of key saves but it is Everton’s Jordan Pickford that rightfully stole the headlines, pulling off a massive 9 saves including a couple of spectacular efforts against Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah, handing Everton a priceless point in the process.
So close for Liverpool! 😯
Jordan Pickford makes a wonderful save to deny Darwin Núñez, before Luis Díaz rattles the post. pic.twitter.com/h1A7tybfGK
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 3, 2022
RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
It was slim pickings with no right-back really standing out this weekend, but Kieran Trippier’s performance for Newcastle was solid as they picked up a point against Crystal Palace.
CB: Conor Coady (Everton)
Alongside Pickford, England defender Conor Coady was a standout performance for Everton, with the summer signing settling into life on Merseyside well once again, this time on the Blue side.
He thought he had grabbed the opening goal, only for it to be chalked off for offside, and at the other end he managed a massive 12 clearances in the heart of Frank Lampard’s backline.
No goal for Conor Coady against his old club ❌#EVELIV #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ku2aOND9T5
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 3, 2022
CB: Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace)
One of the best defenders outside of the top 6, Andersen was once more impressive for Palace as they shared the spoils with Newcastle, topping the week’s charts for blocks and interceptions by quite some distance.
The Dane has formed a formidable partnership with Marc Guehi, and it is sure to stand them in good stead this season.
Most Combined Blocks and Clearances from TheOther14 in #PL week 6. @Other14The
Joachim Andersen for @CPFC was busy this weekend.#CPFC #EFC #AFCB #WHUFC #FFC #Wolves #BrentfordFC #LCFC #NUFC #NFFC #AVFC #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/vJzhJoJkKq
— TheOther14 (@Other14The) September 5, 2022
LB: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
Chilwell was only on the pitch for 18 minutes but grabbed a goal and an assist in that time, injecting some quality in a game devoid of much. The Englishman opened the scoring before turning provider for Kai Havertz to grab the winner (thanks to a controversial VAR decision).
The defender is showing no ill effects from his season-long layoff, and is set to remain one of the first names on Tuchel’s teamsheet going forwards.
Ben Chilwell now has 7 goals + assists in his last 12 Premier League appearances… 🔥
A truly 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 wing-back. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fZm2FoJRAD
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) September 4, 2022
RM: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Rashford was deployed through the middle at Old Trafford once more and reaped the benefits of Arsenal’s incredibly high line, capping a strong pressing performance with two well-taken goals in a game that his side were largely dominated in but came away comfortable winners.
United and England fans will be hoping that he can continue his fine form through the season, and get back to something like his terrifying best.
MAN UTD ARE IN FRONT AGAIN! 🔴
Arsenal have gotten counter-punched 🥊 pic.twitter.com/LGiRT4xmmX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2022
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham)
Tottenham are yet to really click into gear this season, but they keep picking up the results and looked like getting close to top form against Fulham. Only former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno kept the scoreline anything like close.
Hojbjerg opened the scoring for his side in an otherwise frustrating half, and is proving that even with Yves Bissouma’s arrival this summer, he remains a key man to Antonio Conte’s side with another strong performance.
(Photo by Richard Washbrooke/News Images) (Alamy Stock Photo)
CM: Alexis MacAllister (Brighton)
Alexis MacAllister was denied one of the goals of the season by a controversial VAR decision, but put the result beyond all reasonable doubt with a brace as the Seagulls continued to pile the misery on winless Leicester City and Brendan Rodgers.
The Argentine scored his first from the spot, before netting a 90th minute free-kick to put the icing on the cake for Graham Potter’s side, who have been impressive so far this season.
You will not see a better strike this season…! 🔥 What. A. Hit.
But it’s another contentious VAR decision this weekend 😫 pic.twitter.com/Idf0Fzj0wQ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2022
LM: Antony (Manchester United)
It was a perfect debut for Antony in many ways, with the new Manchester United record signing scoring on his debut in front of a bouncing Old Trafford. Though he did little else in the game, like Rashford he was in the right place at the right time to crown a successful counter attack and hand the three points to the Red Devils.
🌟 𝐀 𝐍 𝐓 𝐎 𝐍 𝐘 🌟
It’s a dream debut goal for Man Utd’s new star signing! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/xxYfaqnLAU
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2022
ST: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Toney is hitting form at just the right time as he looks to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup, and he has a good chance of doing just that.
A well-taken hat-trick ensured that Brentford swept away Leeds United, taking them into the top half of the table in the early season running.
Three players have scored multiple Premier League hat-tricks in 2022:
◎ 2 – Cristiano Ronaldo
◎ 2 – Erling Haaland
◉ 2 – Ivan ToneyHeroes. pic.twitter.com/5Ilpor6ayL
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 3, 2022
ST: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth will need Solanke firing on all cylinders to stand any chance of survival this season, and his 50th goal for the club ensured that they picked up a vital three points after the departure of Scott Parker.
It is these games against the likes of Nottingham Forest that will help ensure their safety far more than whether they lose 3-0 or 9-0 to Liverpool, and Solanke could well be the difference in these tight encounters.
At the weekend Dom Solanke hit his 50th #afcb goal for the club but do you have a 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 goal?
🏹🍒#premierleague #championship pic.twitter.com/rMvfY8LHoo
— CherriesRedArmy 🍒 (@Cherriesredarmy) September 5, 2022
