The Matchday XI FotMob Team of the Week is dominated by Manchester City players following their 6-1 win over Bournemouth. But who exactly made the cut and why?
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Goalkeeper: Sam Johnstone
Crystal Palace climbed up to 11th in the Premier League having brought their three-match winless streak to an end against Burnley. The Eagles triumphed 2-0 at Turf Moor despite the hosts dominating. Vincent Kompany’s men had more of the ball and significantly more shots (17 to four) but couldn’t find a way past Johnstone between the sticks. The 30-year-old made five saves on his way to a clean sheet, three of which arrived from efforts inside the six-yard box.
Right-Back: Ola Aina
Few had Nottingham Forest winning against Aston Villa this weekend but Steve Cooper’s side claimed a 2-0 victory and are now up to 13th in the Premier League table. Aina got the hosts off to the perfect start, scoring inside of five minutes with a well-placed effort from distance. The 27-year-old turned a shot with an Expected Goals value of just 0.05 into an effort with an Expected Goals on Target value of 0.43.
He also won two of his three tackles, recovered the ball on nine occasions and won seven of his 11 duels in total to complete an impressive showing.
Centre-Back: Manuel Akanji
Manchester City put on a show at the Etihad to take top spot in the Premier League. Bizarrely, though, the defenders impressed for the free-scoring champions.
Akanji got himself on the scoresheet but the 28-year-old also put in a solid, all-round performance. He completed 90% of his passes and created a chance. He also made six ball recoveries and was 100% successful in ground duels. He probably deserved a clean sheet but just had to settle for a 6-1 win instead.
Centre-Back: Nathan Aké
One of Akanji’s centre-back partners also found his way into the Team of the Week. Aké found the back of the net. He also found a teammate with 94% of his attempted passes. The Dutchman matched the Switzerland international’s success rate in ground duels, winning them all, while also recovering the ball seven times throughout the game. Starting against his old team, he was dominant with and without the ball.
Left-Back: Harry Toffolo
Toffolo is also in the XI alongside his teammate, Aina. The 28-year-old registered two assists in the win over Aston Villa, although they weren’t exactly high-quality chances. That shouldn’t detract from his composed showing though, with the Forest full-back completing 80% of his passes. He also won two of his three attempted tackles and 75% of his ground duels. The clean sheet was a deserved one.
Midfield: Cole Palmer
Palmer has really caught the eye since the move from Manchester City. The young forward played a key role in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Spurs on Monday night. He converted from the spot under intense pressure to equalise while also grabbing an assist in what was one of the most exciting games of the season.
The versatile attacker completed four of his five dribbles, won 100% of his tackles and came out on top in six of his nine duels to cap off a complete showing.
Midfield: Bernardo Silva
Normally, Silva would’ve been named as the Player of the Match following City’s 6-1 win over the Cherries this weekend. The midfielder had four shots, scored two goals and created three chances. He also completed 100% of his dribbles and won 100% of his ground duels. It really was some showing and it reminded everyone just how devastating the former Monaco maestro can be. But he was pipped to the highest FotMob rating by teammate Jérémy Doku.
Midfield: Jérémy Doku
The 21-year-old Belgian dynamo was utterly dominant against Bournemouth. Doku claimed a 9.7 FotMob rating having been involved in five of the six goals scored by the champions. The former Rennes winger scored one and assisted four while also creating five chances at the Etihad. He also completed all five of his attempted dribbles, he had a 100% success rate in tackles and he won seven of the nine ground duels he was part of.
Attack: Neal Maupay
A surprise name on the scoresheet this weekend and a surprise name in the Team of the Week. Maupay played his part in helping Brentford come from behind against West Ham United to win 3-2 with his first Premier League goal in 14 months. The Bees are now up to ninth in the table having won three on the bounce.
The former Everton forward had three shots, created one chance and won 60% of his duels in the win. It was an impressive outing and one he should look to build on.
Attack: Nicolas Jackson
Jackson was always going to make the Team of the Week following his hat-trick in the win over Spurs. It was obvious he would be named as the Player of the Match too.
The goals made it a formality even though he wasn’t necessarily at his best. The Chelsea forward had six shots and racked up an Expected Goals total of 2.88. He landed 83% of his efforts on target and completed 75% of his dribbles. He was signed to score goals and he did just that in what will go down as a historic match.
Attack: Anthony Gordon
Gordon was the match-winner for Newcastle against Arsenal this weekend. The win means the Magpies are now just four points behind the Gunners and well within touching distance of the top four.
The 22-year-old versatile winger was in the right place at the right time to fire home what was the eventual winner in the 1-0 victory for Eddie Howe’s side. He also created one chance, regained possession seven times and won four of his seven duels, playing a key part in Newcastle keeping a clean sheet.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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