The twists and turns in this gripping 2022/23 Premier League season continued on matchdays five and six. Manchester United turned things around after their poor start with another statement victory over Arsenal, while Manchester City and Liverpool were both held to draws away to Aston Villa and Everton.
There were some fantastic individual performances across the past seven days.
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Jordan Pickford produced a performance for the ages in the Merseyside derby, making eight saves to help Everton pick up a pivotal point against Liverpool at home.
RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
Kieran Trippier created six chances for Newcastle United in their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, with the Englishman providing another typical 7/10 performance from right-back.
CB: Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace)
Joachim Andersen has been the best defender in the Premier League this season, and the Danish centre-back had another incredible outing at St. James Park. Although Palace are slightly lucky to come away with a draw, Andersen was rock solid at the back, winning everything in the air against Alexander Isak and making an impressive 18 clearances.
CB: Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Thiago Silva was imperious at the back for Chelsea against West Ham United, making three tackles and two interceptions to go along with a majestic floated pass over the Hammers’ backline for Ben Chilwell’s equaliser.
LB: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
Ben Chilwell changed the game for Chelsea after coming on in the second half for Marc Cucurella. The left-back scored the equalising goal with a brilliant volley in between Fabianski’s legs before providing the assist for Kai Havertz’s winner in the final ten minutes.
RM: Leandro Trossard (Brighton)
Leandro Trossard scored his second goal of the season and created four chances in a spectacular all-round display from wing-back for Brighton in their thumping 5-2 win over Leicester City at the Amex.
CM: Christian Eriksen (Manchester United)
Christian Eriksen ran the show from midfield in Manchester United’s statement win over Arsenal at Old Trafford. The Danish midfielder played multiple line-breaking passes that split the Arsenal backline and also unselfishly provided the assist for Marcus Rashford’s second goal.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton)
Alexis Mac Allister has made a stunning start to the 2022/23 Premier League season and the Argentinian scored two goals in Brighton’s 5-2 win over Leicester to take his tally for the campaign to four strikes.
LM: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a resurgence under Erik ten Hag in recent weeks as the Englishman provided the assist for Jadon Sancho in the Red Devils’ 1-0 win over Leicester City before bagging a brace against Arsenal on Sunday.
ST: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Ivan Toney scored a spectacular hat-trick for Brentford in their thumping 5-2 victory over Leeds United in London. The Englishman scored a penalty and direct free kick in the first half before securing the match ball with a ridiculous chipped finish over two Leeds defenders in the second period.
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Erling Haaland has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. The Norwegian striker scored his second hat-trick of the season at home to Nottingham Forest, becoming the first player to score nine goals in his first five games in the Premier League.
Manager: Frank Lampard (Everton)
Although Frank Lampard’s Everton are yet to win a game in the Premier League this season, the Toffees gave a good account of themselves in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool. Lampard’s switch to a 4-3-3 with Iwobi and Onana in midfield caused the Reds a lot of problems, and Everton were unlucky not to come away with the win as Coady’s goal was ruled out for off-side.
Shivaan Shah