Last weekend’s performances from both Manchester clubs stole the headlines with devastating displays against north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. It’s no surprise to see their players dominate the WhoScored rankings, but with Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko already showcased in our European All Star XI earlier this week, we turn our attention to others who also helped secure their side’s vital wins. Here’s the rundown on some of the outstanding displays in a memorable Premier League week gone by:
Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea. WhoScored rating 7.56
The full-back continues to impress under Andre Villas-Boas. Bosingwa is offering more on the right flank than Ashley Cole on the left- he had 108 touches and made 74 passes against Norwich, the most of any Chelsea player in either category. Cole, in comparison, had 78 touches and made 56 passes- a considerable difference.
Bosingwa had 1 successful dribble down the flank and fired in 7 crosses- only Florent Malouda (8) managed more and he made 3 key passes over the ninety minutes. He had just the 1 shot at goal but still found the net, nevertheless, giving his side the lead with a brilliant thirty-yarder that crashed in off the post. In defence, he also impressed. Bosingwa made 3 interceptions (joint-top with Branislav Ivanovic), 1 clearance, and won 2 aerial duels as he picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 7.56.
Sylvain Distin, Everton. WhoScored rating 7.82
The centre-half was integral to Everton’s 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers. Distin had an outstanding game at the heart of the Toffees back-four, making 2 tackles (with one of these a crucial, last-man tackle) and 2 interceptions as he helped break up Rovers’ attacks.
He also made an incredible 16 clearances and blocked 2 to frustrate a dominant home side at Ewood Park as Everton chalked up a clean sheet in their second game of the new campaign. In the air, he won 4 of 5 (80%) aerial duels and also made 34 passes, with 9 long balls played as he launched his side’s counter-attacks from the back. For his battling performance, Distin picked up 7.82 from WhoScored.com.
Anderson, Manchester United. WhoScored rating 8.35
The Brazilian earns a place in our XI for a pair of performances against Spurs and Arsenal. Anderson scored 1 goal and 1 assist over the two games but it was his defensive performances that particularly stood out- he averaged 5 tackles and 3.5 interceptions per game against the north London clubs.
Anderson averaged 47 passes, with an 87.5% accuracy, and made 1.5 key passes per game. Over the two matches, he also had 1 shot and made 1.5 key passes per game, with 0.5 successful dribbles thrown in for good measure. As a result, he picked up an average 8.35 from WhoScored as his battling performances in the heart of central midfield were fundamental to the 3-0 and 8-2 respective wins.
Samir Nasri, Manchester City. WhoScored rating 9.48
An unforgettable debut at White Hart Lane saw Nasri put Tottenham to the sword. He had 91 touches and made 71 passes- only Yaya Toure (96) made more. Nasr’s distribution was incredible- he had a 97% pass accuracy and made 11 key passes for the visitors (the next best City player had 2), as he picked up 3 assists in the 5-1 rout- by comparison, Nasri managed 1 assist all last season for Arsenal.
The Frenchman also fired in 5 crosses and made 1 successful dribble in addition to having 1 shot on goal and picking up a WhoScored.com rating of 9.48.
Frank Lampard, Chelsea. WhoScored rating 8.54
The Chelsea midfielder opened his account for the season in the 3-1 win over Norwich. Lampard was particularly impressive in distribution- he made 54 passes with a brilliant 94% pass accuracy, played 8 long balls (all accurate) and managed 5 crosses. As a result, he was Chelsea’s key creator, making 5 key passes and picking up 1 assist for his performance.
Lampard also had 2 shots at goal, grabbing his side’s crucial second to put them 2-1 ahead with an 82nd minute penalty and put in a defensive shift that saw him make 1 tackle, 1 interception and 2 clearances. As a result, he picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 8.54.
Franco Di Santo, Wigan Athletic. WhoScored rating 9.51
The Argentine was Wigan’s game-winner against QPR. He had just 40 touches –the second-lowest of any starting player for the home side- but was lethal when in possession. Despite playing 69 minutes, Di Santo scored both the Latics’ goals in the 2-0 win and managed a total of 4 shots over his time on the pitch- all 4 were on target.
Di Santo also won 50% of aerial duels and played a major part defensively, with 3 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 blocked shot in a man of the match performance that saw him awarded a rating of 9.51 from WhoScored.com.
.jpg "WhoScored Premier League Team of the Week- Matchday 3")
