Man Utd pair Fernandes and Rashford lead Premier League team of the week
This week’s team of the week is dominated by Manchester United after they brushed Leicester aside on Sunday. Players from Arsenal, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton and Tottenham are also represented in the XI.
Bournemouth ended an eight-game winless run on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Wolves. Neto received the man of the match award with a 8.00 WhoScored rating, highlighting his importance as the Cherries claimed all three points. Neto pulled off four saves, three claims and 12 ball recoveries in a clean-sheet attaining performance.
Seamus Coleman (Everton) – 8.11
Everton’s home form may be the deciding factor in keeping them in the Premier League for another season as the Toffees secured their second victory under Sean Dyche with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Leeds at Goodison Park. The only goal of the game came from an unlikely source in Seamus Coleman, which secured him the man of the match award with an 8.11 WhoScored rating. The Ireland international also made three tackles and one interception, while winning three aerial duels.
Victor Lindelof (Manchester United) – 8.19
Manchester United put themselves in contention for the title with a 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday, which leaves them just five points shy of league leaders Arsenal. While the attack played its part, defensively, United had to be solid with the Foxes still managing 19 shots. Victor Lindelof earned a WhoScored rating of 8.19 as one of the key players in earning United a clean sheet, winning possession in the midfield third six times, while maintaining a 100% tackle success rate, making four interceptions and eight clearances. In addition, only Wout Weghorst won more aerial duels (5) than Lindelof (4), emphasising his presence at the back.
Cristian Romero (Tottenham) – 7.80
Partnering Lindelof at the back is Tottenham’s Cristian Romero. Spurs got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over London rivals West Ham in the final Premier League game of the weekend. Romero was an ever-present, recording the second most touches (91), while he completed 62 of his 70 passes. He certainly deserved his 7.80 WhoScored rating, maintaining a 100% tackle success rate, while making the joint most clearances (6) and joint most interceptions (4) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) – 8.21
Completing the defence is Luke Shaw, who throughout the game underpinned the qualities of the modern day full-back. He recorded three shots and complegted three dribbles, which could only be bettered by Bruno Fernandes (4), and also managed to register a key pass too. Despite his presence further up the field, Shaw didn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities, making two tackles and two interceptions, earning him a WhoScored rating of 8.21.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 9.88
With three shots in the game, Bruno Fernandes may be disappointed he didn’t get on the scoresheet on Sunday, but he still put in a nigh-on perfect display, which not only earned him a WhoScored rating of 9.88, but also saw him land the player of the week award. He managed to equal the record he had set against Tottenham of most key passes in a Premier League game this season (9), of which two were assists, and also successfully completed four dribbles, the most in the game. His work off the ball was also of merit, too, winning possession in the midfield third seven times and completing one tackle.
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) – 8.39
While Thanos claims to be inevitable, a James Ward-Prowse free-kick more often than not hits its mark. The Southampton skipper found the net from range on Saturday once more as Saints recorded only their second win in their last 12 league games with a 1-0 victory at Chelsea. As well as scoring the only goal of the game, Ward-Prowse maintained a pass success rate of 85%, while registering two key passes. His side were under the cosh for much of the game, so his contribution off the ball also helped to secure the win, with three tackles, four clearances and four interceptions to his name. Ward-Prowse earned a WhoScored rating of 8.39 and the man of the match award as a result.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) – 8.04
Joining Ward-Prowse in the the middle of the park is Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. The Gunners moved back to the top of the Premier League table with a 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday as fellow chasers Manchester City dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. Odegaard would have been disappointed by the big chance he missed, but nevertheless he left his mark in a dramatic lunchtime matchup. He registered the most key passes (7) in the match and also created two big chances, with one of the opportunities he created resulting in an assist for Oleksandr Zinchenko’s goal. The Norway international found a teammate with 52 of his 57 attempted passes, and completed three dribbles, helping him to a 8.04 WhoScored rating.
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) – 7.77
Crystal Palace could only come away with a point in their London derby with Brentford as they drew 1-1 on Saturday. Eberechi Eze was only on the pitch for the final 27 minutes, but his impact was felt, and he was well worth his 7.77 WhoScored rating. He only recorded one shot in the game, but it was a definitive one, giving his side the lead only six minutes after coming on. Eze also completed the joint most dribbles in the game (3) and won 100% of his aerial duels underling his influence in west London.
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) – 8.09
Starting the frontline with a 8.09 WhoScored rating is Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah. Nketiah was unable to get his name on the scoresheet this time, but was a constant danger to the Villa backline. In total, he had five shots in the game, one of which hit the bar, while he also created one big chance. While he missed two big chances, this shows that he was getting in the right positions, reinforced by his 13 touches in the opposition box, which across the weekend in the Premier League could only be bettered by Matheus Cunha (14). Nketiah also won the joint most aerial duels (3) and won possession in the attacking third twice.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) – 8.77
Completing the team is Marcus Rashford, who once again finding himself on the scoresheet for Manchester United, finding the net twice in his side's 3-0 win. Rashford managed five shots in total on Sunday, while he also successfully completed two dribbles and registered eight touches in the opposition box, helping to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.77.
