Joelinton leads Newcastle contingent in Premier League Team of the Week
This week’s team of the week is dominated by West Ham and Newcastle, who are represented by three players each after their big wins on Sunday. Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool and Southampton are also represented in the XI.
Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace) – 8.25
Crystal Palace made it four games unbeaten since Roy Hodgson’s reappointment, drawing 0-0 with Everton on Saturday. Sam Johnstone continued between the sticks and earned the WhoScored man of the match award after accumulating an 8.25 rating. In total, Johnstone made five saves, while also making one claim and 13 ball recoveries to maintain his fourth clean sheet in all competitions on his fifth appearance of the season.
Vladimir Coufal (West Ham) – 8.01
West Ham are now unbeaten in three since their 5-1 mauling at the hands of Newcastle after they won big on the south coast, beating Bournemouth 4-0 on Sunday. Vladimir Coufal once again proved how important he can be for the Hammers, receiving a WhoScored rating of 8.01 against the Cherries. It was in defence where Coufal shone brightest, winning both attempted tackles, making five clearances, winning both of his aerial duels contested, making one interception and preventing any player from dribbling past him. He also produced in the final third, too, registering the assist for West Ham’s second goal in the 12th minute.
Fabian Schar (Newcastle) – 8.10
Newcastle responded in the best possible way to their 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, beating fellow top four rivals Tottenham 6-1 on Sunday. Fabian Schar, who has been so dependable all season, once again produced defensively, winning four aerial duels, making four tackles and one interception. He also managed to register two key passes, which resulted in the assists for the second and third goals, earning him a WhoScored rating of 8.10.
Michael Keane (Everton) – 8.03
Everton are now winless in five in the Premier League, though were able to collect a point against Crystal Palace on Saturday in a 0-0 draw. Key to maintaining the clean sheet for the Toffees was Michael Keane, who won possession in the defensive third four times, while he also made more clearances (7), more interceptions (4) and won more aerial duels (12) than any other player on the pitch. Keane earned a WhoScored rating of 8.03 as a result.
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) – 7.75
Liverpool continued their quest to try and break the top four barrier by beating Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Saturday in an end-to-end game. Andrew Robertson, known for his creative capabilities, registered more key passes (5) than any other player at Anfield, one of which resulted in an assist for Diogo Jota's second, while he also completed one dribble. Defensively sound as well, Robertson was only dribbled past once, while he also won two aerial duels and made two tackles to contribute to a WhoScored rating of 7.75.
With a WhoScored rating of 9.22, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is the player of the week. Though the Gunners would have been extremely disappointed by the manner in which they found themselves 2-0 down against a struggling Southampton side, the point gained in the end showed a team full of fight, and none more so than Saka. The Hale End graduate started the comeback with an assist for Gabriel Martinelli, that coming from a total of five key passes registered, and scored the equaliser late on, from a total of two shots. Saka completed two dribbles, while his three tackles could only be bettered by Thomas Partey (5) and his 13 touches in the opposition box in the game, could only be bettered across the whole weekend by Gabriel Jesus (18).
Lucas Paqueta (West Ham) – 8.60
The WhoScored man of the match with an 8.60 rating in West Ham’s win over Bournemouth was Lucas Paqueta. The Brazil international scored the second goal for David Moyes’ side, and was a constant threat, registering two key passes, two shots and completing one dribble. His role in midfield means he is often one of the main ball winner and he exemplified this quality on Sunday, making more tackles (5) than any other player on the pitch, while also making one clearance and one interception.
The final West Ham representative in the side is captain Declan Rice. Following on from Thursday night against Gent, Rice managed to find the net once again on Sunday, to make it 3-0 just before half time from a total of two shots. The England international also completed his one attempted dribble, made four tackles, made one interception and only five of his 42 attempted passes didn’t find a teammate. Additionally, he won possession in the defensive third (9) more times than any other player on the pitch, helping him to an 8.33 WhoScored rating.
A WhoScored rating of 9.19 wasn’t enough to be named player of the week, but it was certainly enough to be awarded the man of the match in Newcastle’s big win on Sunday. Though Joelinton scored only once from a total of four shots, he was influential across the pitch, maintaining a 90% pass success rate and registering more touches (84) than any other player on the pitch. To top his star performance off, he also completed more dribbles (5) than any other player in the game and won both of his aerial duels.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle) – 8.93
Beginning the attack is another Newcastle star. With a WhoScored rating of 8.93, Alexander Isak was unplayable for Tottenham’s defence, causing them problems during his time on the pitch. In his 66 minutes of action, the Sweden international registered the joint most shots (4), which resulted in him scoring a brace, while he also completed two dribbles and registered more touches in the opposition box (7) than any other player on the pitch.
Carlos Alcaraz (Southampton) – 8.77
Leading the line with Isak and completing the team is Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz with a WhoScored rating of 8.77. Despite coming off at half time against Arsenal, Alcaraz did more than enough to justify his place in the XI, contributing to both of Saints’ goals in the first half, netting within a minute, before setting Theo Walcott up less than 15 minutes later for the second. He was a constant nuisance for the Gunners’ backline in his 45 minutes on the pitch, also completing one dribble and having a total of two shots. But, with his side under the cosh after going two goals up, he played his part defensively, clearing a headed effort from Ben White off the line at what could have been a decisive moment in the match.
