It was an eventful weekend in the Premier League.
Twenty-four goals, four red cards, three come-backs and an unlikely dropped point from the Premier League champions.
Manchester City were – courtesy of a controversial Willy Boly goal – were held to a 1-1 draw with newly promoted Wolves, while their closest rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all recorded wins over Newcastle, Brighton and West Ham respectively.
Watford kept up their 100% start to the season with victory over Crystal Palace, while Bournemouth and Everton saw out an action-packed 2-2 draw at Dean Court.
But who were the stand-out players from the weekend’s action?
GK: Rui Patricio – Wolves
What a result for Wolves it was on Saturday as they held the reigning Premier League champions to a draw at Molineux. Had it not been for summer signing Rui Patricio between the sticks however, the story may have ended very differently. The Portugal international produced an absolutely stunning save from Raheem Sterling’s volleyed effort in the first-half, and he then denied Gabriel Jesus from point blank range with a fine reaction save in the second. Not bad for a free signing.
CB: Harry Maguire – Leicester City
During the summer with England, Harry Maguire made a bit of a name for himself for marauding forward at corners and thumping the ball into the net with his head. Against Southampton on Saturday, the 25-year-old proved he is just as good with his feet as he is his noggin. With just seconds to play at St Marys and the score at 1-1, Maguire picked the ball up around 25-yards from goal on the left-flank, before cutting inside and thumping a low drive into the bottom corner to hand Leicester all three points. Fine work.
CB: Christian Kabasele – Watford
A bit-part figure at Watford last season, it came as a surprise to many when Christian Kabasele was named in Belgium’s preliminary squad for the World Cup this summer. But given his start to the new season, it’s becoming evident why he is rated so highly by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez. Under Javi Gracia this season, the former Genk star was emerged as leader Watford have craved at the heart of their defence, and he put in another monster performance yesterday in the Hornets’ 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. The 27-year-old made more tackles than anyone on the pitch (5) to ensure his side went joint top of the Premier League with their third consecutive win.
CB: Willy Boly – Wolves
Boly was extremely fortunate to have had his goal versus Manchester City on Saturday afternoon allowed. The Frenchman saw the ball blatently deflect off his hand and past Ederson, but much to his – and everyone else’s surprise – Martin Atkinson let the goal stand. The goal ensured Wolves secured an unlikely point against the Premier League champions, however he also did his bit to stop Pep Guardiola’s at the other end, making five clearances and two blocks.
RM: Theo Walcott – Everton
In what was an hectic affair at Dean Court on Saturday between Bournemouth and Everton, few players stood out – but Theo Walcott was one of them. The Englishman, who joined the Toffees in January, looked full of confidence all afternoon, using his blistering pace to great effect to open the scoring shortly after his side were reduced to ten men. He again went through on goal five minutes later, but was hauled back by Adam Smith – who was subsequently sent-off. That’s two-in-two for Walcott now, who looks like he is enjoying his football again after a difficult last few seasons with Arsenal.
CM: Roberto Pereyra – Watford
Watford’s Robert Pereyra promised so much after his £13 million move from Juventus last season, however ultimately flattered to deceive in a tough first season at Vicarage Road. This season might be a different story however. The Argentine has gotten off to an solute stormer for the Hornets – he scored twice on the opening weekend in a 2-0 win over Brighton, and was again on the scoresheet yesterday as Javi Gracia’s side mainlined their 100% start to the campaign with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. Pereyra not only opened the scoring, but was a constant threat throughout, having four shots on-goal.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – Chelsea
Chelsea already had a plethora of midfielder options before Mateo Kovacic arrived at Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid on deadline day. But the Croatian international is already establishing himself as one of the first name’s on Maurizio Sarri’s team-sheet so fine has been his start to life in South West London. The 24-year-old was handed his first Chelsea start against Newcastle after an impressive cameo against Arsenal last weekend, and was excellent in he heart of midfield in a 2-1 win for the Blues, making an impressive 104 passes, three key passes and two tackles.
CM: James Milner – Liverpool
After the arrival of £40 million Fabinho and £52 million Naby Keita, James Milner wasn’t expected to play a huge part for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season. So far, he’s been one of their most important players. Milner starred against West Ham on the opening weekend, and was again pivotal as Liverpool edged past Brighton 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. Milner made more passes in the final third (20) than any other player, and completed a total of 51 on the day – the second most behind only Virgil Van Dijk who made 61. He also made Liverpool’s goal, hounding Brighton’s **** out of possession, before playing the ball to Roberto Firmino who then teed who Mohamed Salah to strike home.
LM: Eden Hazard – Chelsea
Hazard was given a hard afternoon at St James Park yesterday. Newcastle knew the Belgian superstar was Chelsea’s biggest threat, and used every trick in the book to mitigate it. But despite finding himself on the end of a number of hard challenges, the 27-year-old still proved the pivotal figure for the Blues on the day, slotting home the opener from the spot after 70 minutes, and playing a key role in the build up to Chelsea’s late winner. His well taken spot-kick was his 70th Premier League goal for Chelsea, making him the club’s third highest ever scorer in the division behind only Frank Lampard (147) and Didier Drogba (104).
ST: Alexandre Lacazette – Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette entered the fray at half-time on Saturday afternoon against West Ham and turned the game on it’s head. The Frenchman’s smart runs in-behind and link-up play with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang instantly made the Gunners a far bigger threat in the final third, and his presence paid off in the 70th minute when his speculative effort at goal deflected off Hammers defender Issa Diop and into the net to make it 2-1. Lacazette also created more chances than any other Arsenal player in his 45 minute cameo – a sure sign he simply must start Cardiff next week.
ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Could this be the season Aleksandar Mitrovic finally proves he can really cut the mustard in the Premier League? His best total in the top division came with Newcastle in 2015/16 when he registered nine goals, but with three to his name already, the Serbian should eclipse that number well before the end of the campaign. Two of those came yesterday afternoon as the Cottagers earned their first three points of the new season in a fine 4-2 win over struggling Burnley – both trademark headers past a helpless Joe Hart.