Premier League round-up: Brighton defender excels despite Cardiff loss

As Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City each avoided defeat on Sunday, it means that, for the first time in top-flight history, there are three unbeaten teams after 12 matches to start the season. Liverpool and City secured three points at the expense of Fulham and Manchester United, respectively, while Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw with Everton. 

City’s performance brought out the best in Bernardo Silva, who put in a man of the match showing at the Etihad Stadium. Indeed, the Portuguese attacker register two assists in the 3-1 win over United, those coming from six key passes, while two successful dribbles and three tackles helped Silva secure a WhoScored rating of 8.68. 

Pipping him to top spot in the player ratings this week, though, is Brighton defender Lewis Dunk. While Dunk ended up on the losing side in a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff, he impressed regardless as he landed a WhoScored rating of 8.70. The 26-year-old, who is hoping to win his first England cap this month, scored the opening goal in the loss and went on to win nine aerial duels and make 14 clearances in Wales. 

Rounding off the top three is Newcastle forward Salomon Rondon, who returned a WhoScored rating of 8.46 as the Magpies secured a vital second league win of the season at Bournemouth’s expense. The Venezuelan netted twice from eight shots and won eight aerial duels in the victory as he came away with the man of the match award from the 2-1 victory over the Cherries. 

While the trio impressed, it wasn’t the best weekend for Watford’s Roberto Pereyra, who landed a WhoScored rating of just 5.04, the worst in the Premier League in gameweek 12. The Argentine committed the error that led to Manolo Gabbiadini’s opening goal in Southampton’s eventual 1-1 draw with Watford, while a 42.9% pass success rate, no key passes, tackles nor interceptions saw Pereyra fail to impress for the Hornets.