There was a lot of change in the Premier League this weekend. Liverpool extended their lead at the summit to 15 points, Nottingham Forest cut the gap to Arsenal to four points while Chelsea replaced Manchester City in the top four. And Wolves, without the talismanic Matheus Cunha, opened up a six point gap over the dropzone.
By Sam McGuire
You already knew all about that though, right? What you don’t know, though, is who made the FotMob Team of the Week and why?
Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
The 27-year-old shot-stopper made an impressive seven saves for Crystal Palace in their 1-0 win over relegation battlers Ipswich Town. The former Manchester United goalkeeper faced shots with an Expected Goals on Target value of 1.9. His exploits between the sticks ensured Oliver Glasner’s side picked up all three points, lifting them into 11th position in the Premier League. It was his ninth clean sheet of the season and his performance earned him a 9.0 rating.
Right-Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold bossed things for Liverpool against Southampton on Saturday afternoon. The right-back had five shots, missed a big chance and carved out two chances in the 3-1 win over the bottom of the table. He completed 100% of his attempted dribbles (four), completed 88% of his passes, won 100% of his tackles and won seven of his nine duels.
Centre-Back: Jean Paul van Hecke
The Dutch centre-back played his part in Brighton’s 2-1 win over Fulham. The 24-year-old scored the first goal for the Seagulls, he completed 93% of his attempted passes and 100% of his dribbles. Defensively, he was robust too. He won 50% of his tackles, made five recoveries, six clearances and won five of his eight duels. His showing at the Amex earned him an 8.4 FotMob rating.
Centre-Back: Tyrone Mings
Mings looked dominant against Brentford on Saturday night as Villa recorded a 1-0 win. The 31-year-old completed 81% of his passes, 100% of his dribbles, and made three interceptions. He made six recoveries, six headed clearances, won 100% of his ground duels and 75% of his aerial duels. The centre-back played a significant part in the clean sheet for Unai Emery’s side.
Left-Back: Marc Cucurella
Cucurella was the match-winner for the Blues, netting the decisive goal for Enzo Maresca’s men on the hour mark. The Spain international completed 86% of his attempted passes, found a teammate with 63% of his attempted long passes and was accurate with 50% of his attempted crosses. He won 100% of his tackles and came out on top in three of his five duels in a performance that earned him an 8.3 FotMob rating.
Midfield: Moisés Caicedo
Caicedo claimed the Player of the Match rating in Chelsea’s narrow 1-0 win over Leicester. It was a victory that lifted them into fourth spot in the Premier League. The former Brighton midfielder completed 93% of his passes, carved out one chance, completed 100% of his dribbles and was accurate with 80% of his long passes. He won three of his four tackles, made three interceptions, and won an incredible 11 of his 12 duels.
Midfield: Enzo Fernández
Enzo joins his Chelsea midfield partner in the FotMob Team of the Week after a creative display for the Blues against the Foxes. The World Cup winner created six chances in the 1-0 win, the most of any player on the pitch. He also finished the game having taken four shots as well as attempting five dribbles. He didn’t do much defensively, that was all Caicedo, but on the ball, Enzo was a difference maker for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Attack: Mohamed Salah
Salah was, yet again, the match-winner for Liverpool this weekend. He, again, netted twice against Southampton to take his haul for the season to 27 in the Premier League. He leads the way for the Golden Boot by seven following the double at Anfield. The leading playmaker, with 17 assists to his name this term, also created six chances as the Red extended their lead at the top.
Attack: Pape Sarr
Sarr completed the most passes (47), he found a teammate with 92% of his attempted passes, created three chances and scored one goal as Spurs rallied from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. The 22-year-old also attempted four dribbles, played seven passes into the final third, won 100% of his tackles and 50% of his duels. He was influential, with and without the ball.
Attack: Marcus Tavernier
The 25-year-old impressed for the opposition in that 2-2 draw between Bournemouth and Spurs. He scored a goal and created three chances for the Cherries. He missed a big chance, completed 50% of his dribbles and won 75% of his attempted tackles. Tavernier made five recoveries, won six of nine ground duels and two of three aerial duels. He had an impact for the Cherries, with and without the ball in a performance that earned him an 8.5 rating.
Attack: Darwin Núñez
Liverpool fans were treated to the full Darwin Núñez experience against Southampton. The No. 9 picked up a yellow card for a petulant swipe at Kyle Walker-Peters late in the first half. He missed two big chances but also scored the equaliser and won the penalty in what was a whirlwind three minute spell early in the second half. The 25-year-old was replaced after 64 minutes having earned himself an 8.4 rating.
(Images from IMAGO)
You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG and player ratings. Download the free app here.