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

 

It was a remarkable day of Premier League action that started with reigning champions Manchester City drop points at newly-promoted Wolves and ended with Liverpool maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season. In between those two games were a flurry of dismissals. There were four red cards shown in the Premier League today, the most shown on a single day in the competition since 19/09/15 (also 4). We round up the WhoScored Man of the Match performances from Saturday’s action.

 

Wolves 1-1 Manchester City: Willy Boly - 7.91 rating

 

Wolves are still searching for their first win of the season but the newly-promoted side can take a lot of pride from their performance against the Premier League champions. Wolves gave City problems they rarely experienced last season and a draw was the least their efforts deserved. Willy Boly made a fine last man tackle to prevent Sergio Aguero from scoring in the first half, pulled off two important blocks and scored the equaliser after the interval, albeit fortuitously.

 

Arsenal 3-1 West Ham: Arthur Masuaku - 8.10 rating

 

West Ham have now started the Premier League season with three defeats, but they deserved more than a 3-1 loss to Arsenal. The Hammers took the lead and it wasn’t until dreadful defending from Issa Diop on debut in the 70th-minute where the game got away from the away side. Despite the defeat, Arthur Masuaku was the WhoScored Man of the Match with an all-action display from left-back. The 24-year-old completed eight tackles and interceptions combined, while also making four clearances. Not only that, but he drove West Ham forward with four dribbles and one key pass.

 

Bournemouth 2-2 Everton: Michael Keane - 8.02 rating

 

An eventful afternoon at the Vitality Stadium saw both teams reduced to 10-men and Bournemouth battle back from 2-0 down to share the points with Everton. Michael Keane, who ended up going to hosptial with a head injury, appeared to put Everton out of sight just after the hour with a well taken header. The 25-year-old also made five clearances and three interceptions to go with his best performance of the campaign.

 

 

Huddersfield 0-0 Cardiff: Sol Bamba - 8.18 rating

 

Cardiff are still looking for their first goal in the Premier League this season but the Bluebirds continue to be a hard nut to crack, keeping their second successive clean sheet. Sol Bamba was excellent for Cardiff in the Championship last season and has been immense in their last two matches. The 33-year-old centre-back was always in the right position, alleviating the danger with 11 clearances, four interceptions four and two tackles. Not only that, but the veteran was also a threat in attack, firing off two attempts at goal.

 

Southampton 1-2 Leicester: Harry Maguire - 8.29 rating

 

Leicester staved off a spirited Southampton performance courtesy of an injury-time winner from hulking centre-back Harry Maguire. Perhaps not a surprise scorer given his reputation, but it was a right footed shot from outside the box that beat Alex McCarthy and not a header from the 25-year-old that won it for the Foxes. Maguire was also solid at the back, completing 10 clearances to alleviate the danger on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal whenever possible.

 

Liverpool 1-0 Brighton: Shane Duffy - 8.25 rating

 

Having conceded 15 goals in their last three matches against Liverpool, Brighton can take a lot of heart from a spirited performance at Anfield on Saturday night. They could have even snatched a point at the end, but Alisson was equal to Pascal Gross’ late effort. Liverpool punished a mistake by Yves Bissouma to take all three points, but Shane Duffy turned in another dominant performance at the back, as he did against Manchester United last weekend. He made a clearance off the line, while also making 11 clearances and winning four aerial duels.

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