Flourishing Fernandez among Chelsea quartet in Premier League Team of the Week
At the halfway stage of the Premier League’s staggered gameweek, we’ve taken a look at the best performers from the weekend’s action, with Chelsea the dominant side following their win over Fulham. Also represented in the XI are Tottenham, Everton, Luton, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Djordje Petrovic (Chelsea) - 7.90
24-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic started a fifth successive Premier League game owing to injury to Robert Sanchez and helped his side to a clean sheet in the narrow victory over Fulham on Saturday. The Serbian shotstopper made a total of four saves, two high claims, and recorded a pass success rate of 73.7% to return a WhoScored rating of 7.90.
Pedro Porro (Tottenham) - 8.55
Spurs right-back Pedro Porro continued his excellent form this season with a player of the match performance in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday. Porro made a total of seven tackles and interceptions combined, three clearances, two successful dribbles and five key passes, one of which found Richarlison for the away side’s first half equaliser. Porro’s efforts land him a WhoScored rating of 8.55, making him the Premier League player of the weekend.
James Tarkowski (Everton) - 7.69
Everton defender James Tarkowski won a total of nine aerial duels in Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Aston Villa, more than he has managed in any other Premier League match this season. Tarkowski also made three tackles, one interception and six clearances to ensure a clean sheet for Sean Dyche’s side, and himself a WhoScored rating of 7.69.
Joining Tarkowski at the heart of defence is Luton centre-back Gabriel Osho, who earned a WhoScored rating of 7.67 for his efforts at Turf Moor on Friday evening. Osho won nine aerial duels, made four tackles, two interceptions and two clearances in a strong defensive performance.
After doubts about his suitability to the left-back role in midweek, Chelsea’s Levi Colwill put in a fine performance in the win over Fulham on Saturday. Colwill contributed going forward, with one key pass and two successful dribbles, while he also made six tackles, three interceptions, six clearances and three accurate long balls to return a WhoScored rating of 7.92.
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) - 7.91
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez put in his best rated performance of the season (7.91) against Fulham at the weekend. The Argentine made three tackles, one interception, three clearances, three key passes and four successful dribbles in a complete midfield display.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 7.86
Manchester City midfielder Rodri was on hand to provide the assist for the returning Kevin De Bruyne at Newcastle on Saturday evening, just his third of the season so far. The Spain international also made one tackle, two interceptions, three key passes and three successful dribbles in a strong performance that yielded a WhoScored rating of 7.86.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 8.12
In just 21 minutes, Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne announced his return to the Premier League at St James’ Park, scoring and assisting as the champions came from behind to take all three points late in stoppage time. De Bruyne, whose only other league appearance this season came away to Burnley on the opening day, also made a total of three key passes in what was a starring cameo to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.12.
Armando Broja (Chelsea) - 7.29
Chelsea striker Armando Borja takes his place in the weekend’s best XI having posted his second highest rated performance of the season so far against Fulham on Saturday. The Albanian forward may not have been involved in the Blues’ goal, but he proved to be a threat throughout, with two shots on goal, one key pass and four successful dribbles to his name.
Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United) - 7.97
20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund made it back-to-back league appearances with a goal when he put the hosts ahead against Tottenham on Sunday with a thunderous strike into the roof of the net, having scored the winner against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. Hojlund then turned provider for teammate Marcus Rashford to restore United’s lead shortly before half time, in what was his first Premier League assist. The Dane’s three goal involvements in the league have now all come in his last two appearances.
Richarlison (Tottenham) - 7.80
Tottenham striker Richarlison continued his impressive form in front of goal as he netted his sixth goal from his last six appearances. The Brazilian headed Spurs level with one of two attempts on goal, while he also made one key pass and won two aerial duels to return a WhoScored rating of 7.80.
