Arsenal and Liverpool played out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening, a result and performance that suggests Unai Emery’s side are making progress ever since the Spaniard took over. On the same day, Manchester United lived it late to overcome AFC Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality with Marcus Rashford scoring in injury time. Sunday’s action saw Man City brash-aside Southampton 6-1 at the Etihad and Chelsea taking care of Crystal Palace 3-1.
At the wrong side of the table, Newcastle registered their first victory of the season, defeating Watford 1-0 at the St. James Park on Saturday. There was also victory for West Ham as the Hammers triumphed 4-2 over Burnely in one of the best games of the season so far.
Here are the 11 players that stood out for me in game week 11.
GK. Martin Dubravka (Newcastle United).
Newcastle United have been horrible at the start of the season and on the day that they won their first game, Dubravka had to be on his guard. The Slovakian made four saves as his side moved out of the bottom three for the first time this season.
RB. Seamus Coleman (Everton).
The Irishman attempted 10 crosses from open play against Brighton, more than any other player in the Premier League this weekend. Coleman also scored his first goal since January 2017 as Everton defeated Brighton 3-1 on Saturday.
CB. Rob Holding (Arsenal).
I first doubted the young Englishman when he signed for Arsenal but after this season and the stand out performance against Liverpool, he may become the player Arsene Wenger said he would be when the Frenchman signed him a year or so ago. On Saturday, he barely put a foot wrong, won 70% of his duels as Arsenal put out arguably their best performance this season.
CB. Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool).
I will pair Holding with arguably the best defender in the league currently-Van Dijk. The big Dutch center back made seven clearances and two blocks as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Arsenal. Van Dijk also had the best passing accuracy (94.4%) of all players on the pitch.
LB. Ben Chilwell (Leicester City).
Chilwell set up Demarai Gray’s winner at Cardiff as Leicester’s bereaved players paid a fitting tribute to their late owner and manager. It is such performances that have seen Chilwell join Gareth Southgate’s England set-up recently.
MF. Lucas Torreira (Arsenal).
What a signing Torreira is turning out to be! The little Uruguayan was all over Liverpool on Saturday and dominated a game that was not supposed to be his own.
At 22 Million, the 22-year-old already looks a bargain and probably the signing of the season.
MF. Paul Pogba (Manchester United).
Helped set up Marcus Rashford’s late winner against Bournemouth and played a series of key passes in United’s fightback victory over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. Pogba also created four goal scoring chances against Bournemouth, his joint-best tally in a Premier League game this season.
MF. Richarlison (Everton).
The Brazilian has netted six goals in nine Premier League appearances in 2018-19, one more than his total haul from 38 games last season. Two of those six goals came in the 3-1 win over Brighton this past weekend.
FW. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
Against Southampton, Sterling became the first English player to both score and assist two goals in the same Premier League game since Theo Walcott did so for Arsenal against Newcastle in December 2012.
FW. Felipe Anderson (West Ham United).
Showed why West Ham made him their record signing with two goals against Burnley on Saturday. The excellent Brazilian also hit the woodwork and created several goal scoring opportunities.
FW. Alvaro Morata (Chelsea).
The Chelsea striker has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games – one more than in his previous 23 appearances in the competition combined (3) as his brace helped his side to a 3-1 home win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
