WhoScored's Premier League Team of the Week: Record-breaker Salah joins Chelsea and Villa forwards in XI
The Premier League’s first midweek round of fixtures of the season is complete, and here we’re taking a look at gameweek 14’s standout performers.
Represented in our Team of the Week are Brentford, Everton, Bournemouth, Leicester, Liverpool, Fulham, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Mark Flekken (Brentford) - 7.75
Despite his side falling to a 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa, Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken earns a place in our XI having made a total of seven saves at Villa Park, with all seven coming from shots inside the box. The Dutchman also completed 23 of the 29 passes he attempted, made four throws, three high claims and 10 ball recoveries, for a WhoScored rating of 7.75.
39-year-old Ashley Young found the net for the 50th time in the Premier League in midweek, and in fine style too, converting a free-kick to give Everton the lead against Wolves after 10 minutes on Wednesday evening. Young also managed seven tackles, six clearances, four interceptions and eight duels won, for an impressive WhoScored rating of 9.16.
James Tarkowski (Everton) - 7.76
Young is joined by Toffees captain James Tarkowski, who helped his side to a fifth clean sheet of the season in the 4-0 victory over Wolves. The 32-year-old made two tackles, eight clearances and four ball recoveries, while winning six of the seven duels he contested, to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.76.
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) - 8.09
Tarkowski is partnered by 19-year-old Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, who became the Cherries youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer when he headed home what turned out to be the winner against Tottenham on Thursday night. The teenager also made four tackles, 10 clearances and won all five of the duels he contested, in a fine all-round display.
Victor Kristiansen (Leicester) - 8.00
The Ruud van Nistelrooy era started in fine style for Leicester on Tuesday evening, and one of three Foxes players to make our Team of the Week is Danish left-back Victor Kristiansen, who provided the assist for Patson Daka’s late strike in the 3-1 victory over West Ham. The 21-year-old also made two key passes, five tackles, three blocks, three clearances and seven ball recoveries, to return a WhoScored rating of 8.00.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 8.85
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah continued his ridiculous start to the season with a record-breaking performance in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle. The 32-year-old, who was directly involved in all three of the Reds’ goals at St James’ Park (two goals, one assist), has now scored and assisted in more Premier League matches than any other player in history (37).
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) - 8.70
The second Leicester player to make our XI is midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who has been a consistent performer for the Foxes so far this season, and turned in another fine display on Tuesday evening. The Nigeria international managed two successful dribbles, eight tackles, 11 clearances and three interceptions, while he also won 14 of the 18 duels he contested.
Ndidi is joined in midfield by fellow Nigeria international Alex Iwobi, who scored only his second-ever Premier League brace as Fulham saw off Brighton on Thursday night. Iwobi, who has now surpassed his tally of goals and assists for the whole of last season (8 vs 7), also made one key pass, three successful dribbles, four clearances and six ball recoveries, to land a WhoScored rating of 8.76.
Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester) - 9.31
With a WhoScored rating of 9.31, 20-year-old Leicester attacker Bilal El Khannouss is our Premier League Player of the Week. The Morocco international enjoyed a fine start to life under his new boss on Tuesday evening, both scoring and assisting in the 3-1 victory over West Ham, those his first goal involvements in the Premier League.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 8.68
Another player to score and assist in a 3-1 victory in midweek was Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who set up Morgan Rogers for the opening goal against Brentford, before finding the net from the penalty spot just seven minutes later.
Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea) - 8.70
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku rounds off our Team of the Week, having scored and assisted in the Blues’ 5-1 thrashing of bottom club Southampton on Wednesday night. The 27-year-old, on only his second league start this season, also managed two key passes, seven touches in the opposition box and one successful dribble, to register a WhoScored rating of 8.70.
