Nine clubs represented as Chelsea pair make Premier League team of the week
Title chasing trio Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all earned comfortable wins at the expense of Leicester, Everton and Arsenal, respectively, over the weekend and the trio all have players feature in the Premier League team of the week.
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) - 7.44
Hugo Lloris was unable to deny Daniel James from breaking the deadlock at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening, but the Frenchman's performance between the sticks helped Spurs to all three points against Leeds. The Tottenham skipper made six saves as Antonio Conte oversaw his first league win since taking over the reins in north London as Lloris kicks off the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.44.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 8.50
Liverpool sent a statement of intent to their title rivals with a resounding 4-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday night, with Trent Alexander-Arnold putting in a key shift from right-back. The England international registered assists number five and six for the season, teeing up Sadio Mane and Takumi Minamino either side of half time from a return of four key passes. Alexander-Arnold's performance was enough to yield a WhoScored rating of 8.50 and make the team of the week in the process.
James Tarkowski (Burnley) - 8.70
Burnley may have shipped three times in their entertaining stalemate with Crystal Palace, but James Tarkowski played his part in securing a point at Turf Moor. Indeed, he provided assists for Chris Wood and Maxwel Cornet to score either side of the break, those coming from two key passes. The 29-year-old also won 12 of 14 contested aerial duels to help secure a spot in the team with a WhoScored rating of 8.70.
Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) - 8.20
Aston Villa left it late to secure victory in Steven Gerrard's first game at the Villa Park helm, but a five-game losing streak came to an end on Saturday afternoon as the Villans earned a 2-0 win over Brighton. Tyrone Mings bagged a late second to wrap up the three points in a man of the match display, hitting the back of the net with one of three efforts on goal. Six clearances and three aerial duels won sees Mings partner Tarkowski at the heart of the defence with a WhoScored rating of 8.20.
Ben Chilwell chipped in with his first assist of the season in Chelsea's 3-0 win at Leicester on Saturday, providing the cross for Antonio Rudiger to head past Kasper Schmeichel with just 14 minutes on the clock. That assist came from one of three key passes in the lunchtime clash, while additional returns of two dribbles and one tackle sees Chilwell make the best XI once more having earned a WhoScored rating of 8.07 at his old stomping ground.
Joelinton bagged his first goal of 2021/22 in Newcastle's entertaining 3-3 draw with Brentford as he found a way past Alvaro Fernandez with one of four shots in Eddie Howe's first game in charge. The Brazilian put in a solid shift out wide for the Magpies, completing three dribbles and making two key passes, all the while winning six aerial duels and making three clearances and two interceptions, to make the cut with a WhoScored rating of 8.65.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 8.53
Manchester City secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Everton on Sunday afternoon, with Rodri playing a starring role in the middle of the park. The Spaniard doubled City's advantage after the break with a thundering effort past Jordan Pickford and was tidy in possession on the whole, finding a teammate with 94% of his 117 attempted passes. Two tackles and one clearance capped a fine performance from Rodri, who earned a WhoScored rating of 8.53.
With a WhoScored rating of 8.34, N'Golo Kante did enough in Chelsea's win at Leicester to join Rodri in the middle of the park in the team of the week. The Frenchman doubled the Blues' advantage at the King Power Stadium, that his second league goal of the season, as Chelsea maintained their push for domestic glory. Kante also worked hard off the ball, making two tackles and one interception, to make the grade.
The second Liverpool player in the team of the week, Sadio Mane rounds off the midfield having garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.81 in their 4-0 win over Liverpool. The 29-year-old had a direct hand in two of the Reds' four goals in the resounding victory, opening the scoring five minutes before half time and then providing the assist for Mohamed Salah with 15 minutes to play, those coming from respective returns of two shots and two key passes. Mane also completed three dribbles and made two tackles in a fine showing from the left against the Gunners.
Christan Benteke (Crystal Palace) - 9.27
The Premier League player of the week, Christian Benteke earned a WhoScored rating of 9.27 in Crystal Palace's 3-3 draw at Burnley. The Belgian doubled his goal return for the campaign at Turf Moor, netting a brace from five shots, and impressed off the ball, too, winning seven aerial duels and making six clearances to earn the accolade this week.
Partnering Benteke on the frontline is Watford star Josh King. The Hornets hitman bagged his fourth league goal of the season in Watford's 4-1 win over Manchester United, a result that ultimately cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job as United boss. King netted with one of six shots in the resounding victory and defended well, making two tackles and one interception to return a WhoScored rating of 8.70.
