One team dominates the FotMob Team of the Week for matchday eight. It isn’t a team you would necessarily expect though with Everton having four players included after their 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. Here’s a breakdown of exactly why these XI deserve their places.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
The Cherries didn’t pepper Pickford’s goal with attempts but when he was called into action, the England shot-stopper did his job. He made three saves on the day, two of which arrived from efforts inside of the penalty area, on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.4 as Everton kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Surprisingly, Pickford also created one chance for the Toffees, reminding everyone that he’s not just a good shot-stopper but also deceptively good in possession.
Right-Back: Kieran Trippier
Trippier is a regular in the FotMob Team of the Week.
The right-back was once again instrumental in another impressive Newcastle United showing, this time away to West Ham United. The Magpies claimed a 2-2 draw with the Hammers but, in truth, they will be disappointed not to have taken all three points having had a 2-1 lead up until the 89th minute.
The 33-year-old registered another assist and finished the game having created five chances. Incredibly, despite playing risky passes, the England right-back clocked up a pass success rate of 90%.
Centre-Back: Cristian Romero
Spurs needed Romero to put in a dominant performance against Luton Town and the World Cup winner did just that. The 25-year-old was assured in possession, completing 90% of his passes as 10-men Tottenham claimed all three points to leap into first place in the Premier League.
The robust centre-back also created a chance, won two of his three tackles and came out on top in 11 of his 14 duels on the day as Spurs won their battle to keep a clean sheet. His 8.6 FotMob rating was the highest of the match.
Centre-Back: Micky van de Ven
Van de Ven joins centre-back partner Romero in the Team of the Week. The 22-year-old scored what turned out to be the winning goal for Spurs in the 52nd minute away to Luton. The Dutchman also completed 94% of his passes, he won 100% of his tackles and 100% of his duels (ground and aerial). It was a real test for the former Wolfsburg man and he more than held his own.
Left-Back: Solly March
With Pervis Estupiñán injured, Roberto De Zerbi deployed March as his left-back. The 29-year-old impressed against Liverpool in what is an unnatural position up against one of the best players in the world in Mohamed Salah.
March claimed an assist, won five of his six tackles, recovered the ball on seven occasions and won 10 of his 17 duels. All in all, using him as a left-back was a successful experiment.
Midfield: Dwight McNeil
McNeil has the potential to be a key player for the Toffees. After a slow start to the campaign, following an injury, the former Burnley winger found his groove against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. The 23-year-old created six chances and finished the game with an Expected Assists total of 0.89. He also had two shots and completed 100% of his dribbles.
The left-winger was also busy defensively, recovering the ball on seven occasions while involving himself in 12 ground duels as he played his part in the Toffees keeping their first clean sheet of the season.
Midfield: Jack Harrison
Harrison is the third Everton player named in the Team of the Week. This was only his third appearance for the Toffees following his summer move from Leeds United but he looked right at home in Sean Dyche’s team.
The 26-year-old scored a spectacular goal from distance, with his effort clipping the underside of the bar before crossing the line. It was one of four shots on the day as he really highlighted how much of a threat he can be. He also created one chance for the Blues and completed two of his five dribbles of his way to a FotMob rating of 8.9 – the highest of the match.
The No. 11 completed 11 ball recovered, involved himself in 13 ground duels and had a 100% success rate in aerial duels to round-off an impressive showing.
Midfield: Abdoulaye Doucouré
Doucouré is the final Everton player to make the cut this week. The 30-year-old was given freedom to get forward and support Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack and he made the most of it. The 30-year-old had five shots and scored a goal, his third of the campaign. The former Watford man also created two chances and finished with a dribble success rate of 100%. He’s quickly closing in on his haul of five goals from last season and there’s still 30 games to play.
Right-Wing: Mohamed Salah
Salah added another two goals to his tally against Brighton. He now has eight goals against the Seagulls after the 2-2 draw with them on Sunday afternoon. The Liverpool No. 11 now also has nine goal involvements across eight matches this season. The 31-year-old was busy against De Zerbi’s side, taking five shots and creating a chance while also attempting five dribbles.
His first finish was a composed one and his second was via the penalty spot. His technique for the penalty was a little different to previous ones with the attacker opting to place the ball rather than going for pure power. It is something to keep an eye on moving forward.
Centre-Forward: Alexander Isak
Isak is quietly going about his business this season. The 24-year-old netted a double against West Ham to take his tally for the season to six. He’s now just four shy of his goal haul for the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
The Newcastle United striker was a menace throughout in various ways. He was a goal threat – finishing the game with an Expected Goals total of 1.6 – while also being a threat in possession – completing four of his six dribbles. Isak also won six of his nine duels as he more than held his own against a physical West Ham defence.
Left-Wing: Willian
The 35-year-old rolled back the years in Fulham’s 3-1 win over Sheffield United. Willian scored in stoppage time to guarantee all three points but his overall play impressed. He had five shots at Craven Cottage and created three chances on his way to a rating of 8.7. The Brazilian winger completed 75% of his dribbles, too.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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