Outside90’s Rob Officer selects the best performers from the third round of Premier League action for our team of the week.
Petr Cech – Arsenal
After a horror start for his new club, Čech showed the Gunners faithful just what he can do with an inspiring clean sheet against Liverpool. Despite some assistance from his posts and crossbar, Cech made eight saves in the scoreless draw. The most notable, a diving fingertip saved onto the post to deny Philippe Coutinho and a low save to deny Christian Benteke. He was the busier of the two goalkeepers, despite Arsenals domination of possession.
Nathaniel Clyne – Liverpool
The 24-year-old has made an impressive start to his Liverpool career and has been a consistent performer in the first three weeks of the new campaign. Clyne played a very defensive game to stop the likes of Sanchez and Ozil from getting easy ball on the right side and although Clyne wasn’t as attacking as he is known for, he had a few cameos in the forward third.
Martin Škrtel – Liverpool
Although some inconsistency in his game and struggles defending corners in the past, Škrtel was dominant in the air. The Slovakian centre-back was key to the defensive line of Liverpool and was the major contributor to the clean sheet bar a few exceptions in which goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was forced to make some good saves. Definitely an improved display from the 30-year-old and his clearances and interceptions were extremely valuable toward the end of the match at the Emirates.
Scott Dann – Crystal Palace
Dann was a little clumsy early, which created a few chances for Aston Villa, however quickly amended his game and became his side’s saviour. Dann scored a thumping header and made a vital interception that lead to Crystal Palace’s second goal, which was enough to see them run out 2-1 winners against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.
Jeffrey Schlupp– Leicester City
The German-born Ghana international was outstanding on the left for Leicester in their 1-1 draw with Tottenham at King Power Stadium. Schlupp, just 22, was his side’s most impressive defender, his athleticism proving valuable and Tottenham’s attackers rarely beat him. Schlupp looked extremely comfortable in defence and caught the eye when pushing forward.
Riyad Mahrez– Leicester City
The Frenchman is proving to be one of the best talents in the Premier League as he scored his fourth goal for the year. Mahrez has scored in all three matches of the new campaign, his equaliser against Tottenham the best to date. Mahrez ran riot against Spurs, his pace and trickery leaving even the best defenders looking like a schoolboy. Mahrez is the only player to be named in Outside90’s Team of the Week in all of the first three rounds.
David Silva – Manchester City
David Silva was the man of the match for Manchester City in their 2-0 win over Everton. City continued their dominant start to the season and have given a clear indication they will be one to watch in the race to the title. Silva hit the bar early in the match and consistently found space to pass and move. The Argentine completed 63 accurate passes, his overall efficiency 85 percent. Silva has helped the Sky Blues to be the only team who haven’t dropped a point in the new campaign.
Jeremain Lens – Sunderland
The Dutchmen believes the 1-1 draw his side achieved with Swansea is enough to kick-start their season and help them recover from their early slump into the bottom three. Lens was impressive down the left wing, continuously beating his marker and producing some excellent crosses for Sunderland’s forwards. Lens provided the assist for Sunderland’s equaliser in the 62nd minute, where he picked out Jermain Defoe. The draw gives the Black Cats their first point of the season.
Pedro – Chelsea
Pedro has a Chelsea debut to remember as the new signing from Barcelona earned his first start immediately after arriving. Pedro added the dynamic passing Chelsea has been lacking in the new season and scored the opening goal on his debut. Pedro also assisted Diego Costa for the Champions second has the scrapped over the line 3-2 to beat West Bromwich Albion. Pedro was substituted in the 84th minute and looked exhausted after putting in a very impressive debut for his new club.
Callum Wilson – Bournemouth
Callum Wilson broke all kinds of records and embedded himself in history at the weekend, helping his side Bournemouth to their first ever Premier League win. Wilson scored a hat-trick, devastating the West Ham defence and making the most of defensive mistakes in the 4-3 win. Wilson ran riot in the attacking third, scoring Bournemouth’s first ever league goal, first ever league hat-trick and first ever Premier League win. The 23-year-old Englishman, who was born in Coventry, will forever remember his magnificent performance.
Bafétimbi Gomis – Swansea
Gomis has been impressive for Swansea in each of their matches this year, scoring in all three. Gomis has been unlucky not to be selected in Team of the Week in both of the previous rounds and after his role in Swansea’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland the 30-year-old French striker deserves his place. Gomis passed at an 88 percent accuracy rate and managed to have four shots before being substituted in the 76th minute and replaced by Eder. A special mention must go to James Morrison of West Bromwich Albion, who scored twice and completed 34 accurate passes. However, his missed penalty against the champions cost his side dearly in a match they eventually lost. It was a tough choice between but Gomis has been the more consistent of the two forwards.
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