Man City hitman Haaland spearheads Premier League team of the week
Manchester City got their title defence off to a winning start as they beat Burnley 3-0 on Friday night. Of course goal machine Erling Haaland got on the scoresheet, with the Norwegian hitman one of two City players in the side. Rivals Manchester United are also represented in the opening team of the week of the season, while stars from Fulham, Crystal Palace, Wolves, Brighton, West Ham and Newcastle all feature.
Fulham battled to a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday and while Bobby De Cordova-Reid was the match winner for the Cottagers, Bernd Leno was the star performer at Goodison Park. The German made an impressive nine saves on Merseyside to help his side to a clean sheet and all the spoils. With a WhoScored rating of 9.11, Leno is the Premier League player of the week from gameweek one.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) - 8.27
Manchester United rode their luck on Monday night as they secured a 1-0 win over Wolves. Aaron Wan-Bissaka picked up the player of the match award at Old Trafford having played a key role in the narrow victory on home turf. Wan-Bissaka provided the assist for Raphael Varane's second half winner, that coming from one of three key passes, while two tackles and two interceptions saw the right-back yield a WhoScored rating of 8.27.
Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) - 8.49
The star performer from Crystal Palace's 1-0 win at Sheffield United, Joachim Andersen raminded steadfast for the Eagles in Yorkshire. Indeed, the Dane made six clearances and three tackles to keep the Blades attack at bay, all the while making 10 accurate long balls, to feature with a WhoScored rating of 8.49.
The first of two Wolves players to make the cut despite their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, experienced centre-back Craig Dawson was unfortunate to end up on the losing side at Old Trafford. The 33-year-old won eight aerial duels, made five clearances and two tackles, and blocked two shots, to join Andersen at the heart of the defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.73.
Pervis Estupinan (Brighton) - 8.23
Rounding off the backline is Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan. The Ecuador international registered his first assist of the season in the Seagulls' 4-1 win over Brighton as he provided for Evan Ferguson late on, that coming from one of six key passes. Estupinan also chanced his luck where possible having mustered three shots to help return a WhoScored rating of 8.23.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) - 8.51
West Ham kicked off their season with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday, and it was Jarrod Bowen who claimed the player of the match award with a WhoScored rating of 8.51. Bowen put the Hammers ahead early in the second half, netting with one of six shots, and he was unfortunate not to claim an assist having created three goalscoring chances. An additional four dribbles and two tackles capped a fine showing from the 26-year-old.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 9.01
Manchester City got their title defence off to a winning start at Burnley on Friday night with Rodri the star performer at Turf Moor. The Spaniard claimed the assist for the first of Erling Haaland's two goals, and got on the scoresheet himself with 15 minutes to play, those coming from respective returns of one key pass and four shots. With five tackles and a 97.3% pass success rate, Rodri is good value for his inclusion in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 9.01.
Partnering Rodri in the middle of the park is Brighton star Pascal Groß, who returned a WhoScored rating of 8.21 against Luton. Groß may have failed to have a direct hand in a goal against the Hatters, but it wasn't for want of trying as the German created six goalscoring chances and managed three shots in a solid midfield display.
The second Wolves player in the side completes the midfield. Matheus Nunes was a driving force for Gary O'Neil's side at Old Trafford having completed six dribbles in the narrow 1-0 defeat. In addition, Nunes drew five fouls at Manchester United, and made five interceptions and three tackles, to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.15.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 8.63
It took three minutes for Erling Haaland to open his account for the season. Last season's Golden Boot winner netted twice at Turf Moor as Manchester City secured a 3-0 win in Friday's meeting with Burnley. The 23-year-old's brace came from four shots, while he also made two key passes, to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 8.63.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle) - 8.22
Newcastle got their campaign off to a flying start as they smashed Aston Villa 5-1 at St. James' Park on Saturday evening, with star striker Alexander Isak completing the team of the week. The Swede netted twice on home turf, finding a way past Emiliano Martinez with two of three shots, while an additional one successful dribble sees Isak partner Haaland on the frontline with a WhoScored rating of 8.22.
