As we head into the first international break of the 2024/25 campaign, just two Premier League sides have a 100% record with Liverpool and Manchester City making it three wins from three this weekend.
By Sam McGuire
Following their 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Arne Slot’s side are the only team yet to concede this term and it’ll come as no surprise to see three of their players in the Matchday Three FotMob Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Alisson made three saves in the win over Manchester United on his way to a third successive clean sheet. He wasn’t the busiest but his saves were crucial. He thwarted Joshua Zirkzee on two occasions, one from point blank range, and got down low to stop a Noussair Mazraoui effort. He did what he had to do and he did it well. The 31-year-old also completed 85% of his passes, proving himself to be a key part of the way Liverpool looked to play out from the back.
Centre-Back: Lewis Dunk
Few people would’ve imagined Dunk to be the most creative player on the pitch in a game between Arsenal and Brighton, but that is exactly what happened. The centre-back for the Seagulls created three chances at the Emirates. He also completed the most passes (99) and found a teammate with 96% of his attempted passes. Dunk made seven ball recoveries, won 100% of his duels and 50% of his aerial duels.
Centre-Back: Virgil Van Dijk
The Liverpool skipper put in a monstrous performance against the Red Devils. The 33-year-old completed the most passes (69), found a teammate with 95% of his attempted passes and created a chance. Van Dijk made 11 clearances, made three interceptions and recovered the ball on three occasions. He won all five of his aerial duels and came out on top in two of his three ground duels.
Centre-back: Joško Gvardiol
Gvardiol was solid enough again for Manchester City. The centre-back-cum-full-back completed 95% of his passes against the Hammers and finished with an Expected Assists total of 0.45. He completed 100% of his dribbles, won two of his three tackles, six of his eight duels and was dribbled past on just one occasion. The 22-year-old played his part in limiting West Ham to an xG of just 0.73.
Right-Midfield: Yukinari Sugawara
Southampton may have suffered a 3-1 loss to Brentford this weekend but Sugawara still managed to impress. The versatile right-sided full-back was deployed on the right of midfield and scored his first Premier League goal. The 24-year-old also created two chances and won four of his five duels at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon. There was also a last-man tackle in there as well as five recoveries and two interceptions.
Midfield: Mario Lemina
The Wolves captain put in a solid performance in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. The 31-year-old claimed an assist but it was defensive work that really caught the eye. Lemina won five of his eight tackles and went 11/11 in ground duels. He made nine ball recoveries and was fouled on two occasions to round off a fairly dominant showing.
Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne
Somehow, De Bruyne failed to register an assist or a goal in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over West Ham. The midfield playmaker ran the game though, taking six shots and carving out six chances for the champions. No player managed more shots, not even Erling Haaland (five) while no other player managed to create over four chances.
Left Midfield: Leif Davis
Ipswich’s highly-rated left-sided player is included in our TOTW for the first time as a Premier League player. The 24-year-old finished with an assist having created three chances for the Tractor Boys. The left-back completed 90% of his passes and attempted four dribbles. He also won 100% of his tackles and came out on top in six of the 11 duels he was involved in.
Attack: Bryan Mbeumo
No Ivan Toney for Brentford? No problem. The Bees have a sting in their attack with Mbeumo stealing the show against Southampton. The 25-year-old earned himself a FotMob rating of 9.4 following his exploits on Saturday. He scored twice, created three chances and carved out two big chances. He completed 100% of his dribbles and won four of six duels.
Attack: Erling Haaland
Another week, another Erling Haaland hat-trick. The two-time Golden Boot winner made it seven goals in three games following a treble against West Ham. It was another Haaland masterclass. He attempted just 12 passes but had five shots for the reigning champions. He had the fewest number of touches (21) of any outfield player to feature in 90 minutes, but he once again showcased exactly why less is more.
Midfield: Mohamed Salah
Once again, it was the Salah show at Old Trafford. The Liverpool No. 11, who earned a FotMob rating of 9.2, carved out three big chances and finished the game with two assists. He scored a goal and, in truth, probably could’ve had another. He’s started the season in fine form and already has six goal involvements this term in just three outings.
(Images from IMAGO)
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