Premier League

Premier League Top Five, Round Eight: Wesley wins the day and Brighton unearth a star

Two Liverpool defenders join the party and Adama silences the Etihad.

 
8:30am on Monday 7th October 2019
By
Paul Macdonald

It was a pivotal Premier League weekend.

Man City lost in dramatic circumstance at home to Wolves, conceding two late goals, while leaders Liverpool needed an injury time penalty to defeat stubborn Leicester. Elsewhere Man Utd lost - again - while Arsenal and Chelsea recorded wins over Bournemouth and Southampton respectively.

EPLOct 5, 2019W
Wesley S (C)
  • 90'
  • 9.1

    Wesley hasn't exactly hit the ground running since arriving at Villa but his performance in the 5-1 thumping of Norwich should help his confidence no end. In the right place to control and slot home early in the match, he doubled the lead with a neat tap-in from inside the six-yard box. Not even a missed penalty could dampen his mood, and his pressing led to providing an assist for Douglas Luiz to complete the victory.

    What a weekend for the 19-year-old. In his first league start of the season he helped to dismantle sorry Spurs with an energetic and infectious performance. In the first half he showed initiative to follow up his own shot and prod home the rebound, then in the second produced classic wing play, cutting in from the left hand to smash a shot across the goalkeeper and into the corner. Brighton look to have uncovered a real gem.

    EPLOct 6, 2019W
    Adama Traoré W, AM (R)
  • 90'
  • 9

    Always talented but sometimes frustrating, Traore produced arguably his best performance in England in Wolves' sensational defeat of Man City at the Etihad. His two breakaway goals in the second half, showing immense composure in the process, sealed the win, but his defensive display at wing back defending against Raheem Sterling was equally as valuable, winning eight of his nine duels, 2/2 tackles and seven ball recoveries.

    Trent's attacking play continues to be among the best in the league from any wide player, let alone a full-back, and although he didn't pick up an assist against Leicester, he created three great chances, two for Roberto Firmino and one for James Milner, that really should have been converted. Defensively he made 13 recoveries - the second highest total of the round for any outfield player - as well as making five interceptions and five clearances.

    Not always the most beloved of defenders, Lovren produced a towering display to largely keep a talent-filled Leicester attack at bay. James Maddison may have scored courtesy of a goalkeeping error, but Lovren won 2/2 tackles, five of his six aerial challenges as well as four recoveries and eight clearances. He's no longer first choice but remains more than a decent back-up for the Reds.

    HONOURABLE MENTIONS

    James Milner (8.2) showed fantastic composure to slot home a late penalty to defeat Leicester, but his through ball for Sadio Mane's opener is one of the passes of the season so far. Elsewhere Anwar El Ghazi, Jack Grealish and Conor Hourihane all ran riot against a poor Norwich display.

    ROUND TO FORGET

    Southampton's Angus Gunn (4.7) is really struggling at the moment and he made a few basic errors in conceding four versus Chelsea.

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