In a new feature we will be ranking the best Premier League goals of the weekend based on three criteria, so if you missed any of the action, you’ll find the strikes to watch out for right here.
Each goal is given a score out of five for quality of finish, difficulty of chance and build-up play, which is then divided to give an average. In the event of a tie the finish takes precedent, followed by the difficulty to give the advantage to the goalscorer’s decisive role.
Without further ado, here are your rankings for game week 8.
1) Fernandinho (vs Stoke) - Finish 5 / Difficulty 4 / Build up 2
It may have been City’s least attractive goal in terms of build up but Fernandinho’s thumping drive against Stoke is comfortably our goal of the week. The Brazilian received the ball around 30 yards out, took a touch to get the ball out of his feet and just leathered it. In off the bar. it was impossible for Butland to save but with no pressure on the shot whatsoever the difficulty could have been higher.
2) Nacer Chadli (vs Leicester) - Finish 4 / Difficulty 5 / Build up 1
So it wasn’t a postage stamp free-kicks and Kasper Schmeichel didn’t do himself any favours in the Leicester goal but to score from just over 30 yards out is a hell of a feat regardless. Combining power and curl to find the net and break the deadlock at the King Power on Monday, Chadli’s scorcher ranks just below that of Fernandinho due to not having any build-up.
3) Raheem Sterling (vs Stoke) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 2 / Build up 5
When just assessing Sterling’s finish alone and the difficulty of the chance, City’s second against Stoke would rank among their most underwhelming of the weekend but it was all about the play that proceeded the goal. Starting towards his own corner flag, a neat Otamendi back heel started a move that consisted of 15 passes between 10 different players, with Jesus the only man not in on the act. The first perfect build up score of the season was cemented by an exquisite blind reverse pass by that man De Bruyne with pass number 14.
4) Riyad Mahrez (vs West Brom) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 3 / Build up 3
On an otherwise forgettable night the two moments of real quality brought about goals as Leicester hosted West Brom, with Riyad Mahrez firing home a late leveller for the Foxes. Having worked the ball the Chilwell on the left his looping cross was recovered well by Slimani, heading back for his compatriot to do the rest. With the composure to take the ball down on his chest under pressure in the box the Algerian duly rifled in to the far corner to earn a share of the spoils.
5) David Silva (vs Stoke) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 2 / Build up 4
About as close as it gets to a perfect build up score without doing so, David Silva’s first league goal of the season was the result of another sweeping Manchester City move on Saturday. Had he scored from Sterling’s intelligent cutback first time it would have been higher but the Spaniard did very well to recover from a loose touch and prod home with a neat finish, albeit from close in.
6) Isaac Hayden (vs Southampton) - Finish 4 / Difficulty 3 / Build up 2
7) Manolo Gabbiadini (vs Newcastle) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 3 / Build up 2
=) Wilfried Zaha (vs Chelsea) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 3 / Build up 2
=) Tiemoue Bakayoko (vs Palace) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 3 / Build up 2
10) Leroy Sane (vs Stoke) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 2 / Build up 3
=) Gabriel Jesus (2nd vs Stoke) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 2 / Build up 3
=) Gabriel Jesus (1st vs Stoke) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 2 / Build up 3
=) Ayoze Perez (vs Southampton) - Finish 3 / Difficulty 2 / Build up 3
TOP 5 GOALS OF THE SEASON SO FAR
1) Charlie Daniels (vs Man City)
=) Antonio Valencia (vs Everton)
3) Fernandinho (vs Stoke)
=) Fabian Delph (vs Palace)
=) Maya Yoshida (vs Stoke)
*Constants
Penalty difficulty is always 2
Goals direct from dead balls always carry a build up score of 1
Goals converted indirectly from corners/free-kicks score a build up of 2
