Premier League round-up: Saturday’s man of the match performances assessed

 

Liverpool ended a run of four straight defeats at Wembley to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season to kickstart Saturday’s action. There were goals across the country in England’s top-tier and we round up the WhoScored star men from all seven Premier League matches on Saturday.

 

Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool - Michel Vorm - 7.85 rating

 

Neither side were at their slick best but Liverpool ran out deserved winners in the end. It should have been a wider margin but the away side were not as ruthless in front of goal as we have become accustomed too under Jurgen Klopp. Nevertheless, part of the reason they didn’t thrash Tottenham was down to Michel Vorm in goal for the home side. The 34-year-old, in for the injured Hugo Lloris, didn’t cover himself in glory for Liverpool’s goals but did weigh in with eight saves to keep Tottenham in with a shout of an undeserved point.

 

Huddersfield 0-1 Crystal Palace - Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7.75 rating

Wilfried Zaha helped lift some of the pressure on Crystal Palace with the only goal of the game but it was Aaron Wan-Bissaka, fresh from England U21 duty, that really flourished for the Eagles. The 20-year-old defender has enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom at Selhurst Park and turned in another important display for Roy Hodgson’s side. The right-back completed five tackles, made three interceptions and cleared the ball from danger on four occasions.

 

Manchester City 3-0 Fulham - David Silva - 8.50 rating

 

Fresh from an international break clear of national team commitments, David Silva looked all the better for it. The 32-year-old netted his second goal of the campaign in a comprehensive victory for the reigning Premier League champions. Silva created three goalscoring chances, completed two dribbles, but impressively completed four tackles and interceptions combined. City enjoyed 65% of possession against Fulham and only three of City’s defenders had more touches than the Spaniard (103).

 

Bournemouth 4-2 Leicester - Ryan Fraser - 8.67 rating

 

It was touch and go whether Ryan Fraser would even be fit to play against Leicester but the Scotland international made a stunning impact for the Cherries, as Eddie Howe’s side continued their fine start to the season with a thumping 4-2 win over Leicester. Fraser played a direct hand in three of the goals, scoring twice and providing the assist for Adam Smith’s late effort. The 24-year-old has now scored or assisted five goals in the Premier League this season, only Eden Hazard (7) has managed a direct hand in more goals.

 

 

Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff - Eden Hazard - 9.95 Rating

 

Fending off Real Madrid’s interest in Eden Hazard looks the best piece of business Chelsea did in the summer with each passing week. Hazard is playing a direct hand in a league goal every 43.9 minutes of action this season after netting a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over newly-promoted Cardiff. It is the second treble Hazard has scored in the league for the Blues, last doing so in February 2014 against Newcastle. Hazard scored with each of his shots on target and completed four dribbles, drawing three fouls.

 

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal - Mesut Ozil - 7.82 rating

 

Mesut Ozil has attracted a lot of criticism this season but the former Germany international was at least on hand to guide Arsenal to victory over Newcastle at St.James’ Park. The Gunners have now won successive Premier League away matches, incredibly, for the first time since May 2017. Ozil’s goal, his first since December, turned out to be the winner after Newcastle’s 91st minute consolation strike. Ozil created more goalscoring opportunities than any other Arsenal player (3).

 

Watford 1-2 Manchester United - Chris Smalling - 8.02 rating

 

Jose Mourinho's side became the first team to take points from Watford in the Premier League this season, grinding out a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening. Chris Smalling proved decisive in both penalty areas, netting United's crucial second goal and dealing with Troy Deeney's physicality all afternoon. The 28-year-old has now scored four away league goals in 2018, more than any other defender in the Premier League. He won seven aerial duels, more than any player on display at Vicarage Road, with Deeney only winning two. Not only that, but the United defender also made nine clearances to lift the pressure on United's goal.

Premier League round-up: Saturday’s man of the match performances assessed