WhoScored’s Premier League Team of the Week: Cunha stars alongside Salah and Gakpo in best XI

We’re looking back at a thrilling round of Boxing Day fixtures in the Premier League, and have put together an XI of the standout performers from the festive action. 

Represented in our Team of the Week are Fulham, West Ham, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Wolves and Liverpool. 

Bernd Leno (Fulham) - 8.11 

Fulham’s last-gasp victory at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day was their first on the blue side of west London since 1979, and goalkeeper Bernd Leno earns a place in our XI having produced a total of seven saves, prevented more than one goal according to Opta’s Expected Goals model. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham) - 7.80 

West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka impressed for the Hammers in their 1-0 win against Southampton at St Mary’s, making three key passes, three successful dribbles, three tackles and six ball recoveries, for a WhoScored rating of 7.80. 

Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) - 8.11 

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen makes our Premier League Team of the Week once again, with his performance vital to a clean sheet and a point for the Cherries at home to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day. Huijsen completed 71 of the 76 passes he attempted, while he also managed six tackles, nine clearances and nine ball recoveries, while winning 11 of his 14 duels. 

Murillo (Nottingham Forest) - 8.10 

Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is another centre-back who helped his side to a clean sheet on Boxing Day, making four tackles, three blocks and 10 clearances in a 1-0 win over Tottenham at the City Ground. 

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) - 7.61 

18-year-old Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly earns a spot at left-back after a starring performance in the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Ipswich on Friday evening. The teenager misplaced just one of the 59 passes he attempted, while also managing two key passes, two successful dribbles, three tackles and two clearances. 

Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - 7.97 

Chelsea star Cole Palmer opened the scoring for the Blues against Fulham on Boxing Day in typical fashion, that his 12th goal and 16th goal involvement in the Premier League this season. 

Joelinton (Newcastle) - 8.51 

Joelinton was the star of the show for Newcastle as they swept aside Aston Villa at St James’ Park, with the Brazilian involved in two of the home side’s three goals that afternoon. The 28-year-old provided the assist for Anthony Gordon’s early opener, before adding the icing to the cake for the hosts when he found the net in the 91st minute.

Matheus Cunha (Wolves) - 9.33 

With a WhoScored rating of 9.33, Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha is our Premier League Player of the Week following his performance in the 2-0 win over Manchester United. Cunha was directly involved in both of the goals scored by Vitor Pereira’s side, putting the hosts ahead with an effort directly from a corner, before providing the assist for Hwang Hee-chan’s late finish. 

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 8.62 

Liverpool hero Mohamed Salah maintained his exceptional record of scoring or assisting in Premier League matches, a run which now stands at 10 successive matches, following his goal against Leicester on Boxing Day. The Egyptian also made two key passes, two successful dribbles and mustered five shots on goal against the Foxes, to register a WhoScored rating of 8.26. 

Alexander Isak (Newcastle) - 8.26 

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak made it five Premier League matches in a row with a goal when he found the net against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. That strike means that only Mohamed Salah (27) and Cole Palmer (18) have been directly involved in more Premier League goals this season than the Sweden international. 

Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) - 8.53 

Rounding off our XI, and joining Liverpool teammate Salah, is Cody Gakpo, who had a hand in two of the Reds’ three goals against Leicester at Anfield. The Dutchman equalised for the hosts on the stroke of half-time, and in some style, too - before providing the assist for Salah’s late finish, to ultimately secure all three points for the Premier League leaders.