Can we put the 'move him into midfield' argument for TAA to bed? He is one of the most effective players in the world in his position, even if it happens to be right-back, and against Leicester he produced an outstanding 10/10 display versus a very good team. Two sublime crossed provided perfect assists for team-mates and he rounded off the rout in style with a driving run and clinical finish. A whopping 105 touches, and 17 crosses into the area. He's a winger first, a defender second.
Ayew has often been criticised for not fulfilling his potential but he produced a an all-round display of excellence in the important victory over West Ham. With his side 1-0 down, his clever header back inside allowed Kouyate to finish, before the moment of the weekend, his pirouette, dribble and delightful dink over the advancing keeper to win Palace the points. Eight completed dribbles and 10 touches in the opposition area so a long way to explaining his constant threat to West Ham.
Despite having a man advantage, Wolves had to dig deep to come back from two goals down against Man City on Friday to win 3-2. Key to their recovery was Adama Traore, who was at his effervescent best down that right wing. He scored the first comeback goal in vintage fashion, darting towards the City defence before lashing a strike in off the post. Then, to make it 2-2, he once again displayed his impressive strength to muscle Benjamin Mendy off the ball near the line before passing inside for Raul Jimenez to score. He sent nine crosses into the box, and completed the second-most dribbles of anyone in the Premier League this week.
Anthony Martial is still a young man with plenty to prove. This was one of these days where he was on his game and while Newcastle were more than generous defensively, Martials two slick finishes helped his side to a comfortable 4-1 home win. He whipped the first into the near post, though Dubravka may have done a little better, before racing through on goal to flip the ball over the shot-stopper and into the corner. More application is needed like this from Martial on a regular basis.
Liverpool took a major step towards the Premier League title as they defeated Leicester 4-0, with Roberto Firmino scoring two. It was the Brazilian who scored the only goal of the first half 31 minutes in when he rose above everyone inside the box to glance a towering header into the bottom right corner. After James Milner scored a penalty to make it two, it would be Firmino to take the game beyond the Foxes with the third. Trent Alexander-Arnold set him up with a hard and low cross inside, while the touch and finish into the top corner were terrific.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Like Traore, Raul Jimenez (8.6) was also vital for Wolves as they defeated City, scoring a goal and recording an assist. It would be his goal, a close range finish, that would make it 2-2, while his lovely set-up play on the edge of the box led to the winner.
ROUND TO FORGET
While Manchester City were forced to rally after Ederson's red card, Kyle Walker (4.8) didn't deal with the added pressure too well, losing 13/19 duels, 7/8 aerial duels, and 100% of his tackles.
