The Premier League is back and so is our team of the month. There have been some outstanding performances throughout the league but only 11 men could make the team, find out who.
Only four teams ended the month with a 100% record, with Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Watford all getting their seasons off to a bang with three wins out of three. Liverpool top the table though thanks to a perfect defensive performance, having not conceded a single goal yet.
The champions, Manchester City, got off to an excellent start, beating a revigorated Arsenal team and thumping Huddersfield 6-1. However, City have already dropped points as they struggled against an impressive Wolves team and have opened the door for their rivals to gain a slight early advantage.
At the other end of the table, things are looking gloomy for West Ham and Huddersfield fans. They not only prop up the table but have looked poor thus far. Their rivals haven’t got much better results but they have looked more promising in the process.
After a poor start, Manchester United are in the bottom half. They find themselves 13th after enduring their worst start to a season in 26 years. The Red Devils hoped things would improve after a humbling 3-2 loss to Brighton, but it wasn’t to be. The negative atmosphere radiating from the club was epitomised on the pitch as they lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham.
In terms of goal scoring, Manchester City are top of the pack with nine goals, thanks mostly to the six goals they smashed past Huddersfield. Six players finished equal top scorers in August, all managing three goals. Agüero, Mitrović, Mané, Richarlison, Lucas Moura and Roberto Pereyra were the players hottest in front of goal.
At the back, it was Liverpool who stood head and shoulders above the rest. Having not conceded a goal yet they get the accolade for best defence with new goalkeeper, Alisson, keeping three clean sheets.
So here is The Football Faithful‘s team of the month for August;
Goalkeeper – Neil Etheridge (Cardiff City)
The Cardiff ‘keeper earns a spot in the team of the month with some game defining performances. The Englishman saved two penalties in his first two games with the second denying Newcastle the win and keeping Cardiff a clean sheet in the last kick of the game. He then went on to record a richly deserved clean sheet against Huddersfield.
Right Back – Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur)
England’s first choice right back might have missed the first game of the season due to the World Cup hangover but he more than made up for it in the two matches he did play. He scored a brilliant free kick against Fulham and then went on to assist and keep a clean sheet away to Manchester United.
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Centre Back – Steve Cook (Bournemouth)
The Cherries’ centre-back has been instrumental to his team so far this season. He proved to be a commanding defender against Cardiff and then got his team the win against West Ham. He managed a goal and assist at the London Stadium whilst managing to keep the Hammers’ dangerous attack quiet.
Centre Back – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s Dutch defender has been a rock at the back. His performances for Liverpool rank him up there with some of the best centre-backs in the world. Liverpool’s perfect defensive record so far in the Premier League is largely down to him. Alisson has had very little to do between the sticks and van Dijk has made Joe Gomez step up his game immeasurably.
Left Back – Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
In truth, the left back spot could have gone to any of Marcos Alonso, Benjamin Mendy or Andy Robertson. Alonso gets the nod though due to an impressive display against a key rival in Arsenal. The Spaniard managed a goal and assist against the Gunners as well as another assist against Huddersfield and two more against Newcastle.
Right Wing – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s Egyptian star winger has started this season like his phenomenal season in 2017/18 never ended. A goal against West Ham capped off a brilliant performance but it was his contributions against Crystal Palace and Brighton that proved pivotal. Salah assisted both goals in a difficult game against Palace before netting the winning goal against a stern Brighton defence.
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Central Midfield – James Milner (Liverpool)
James Milner has been something of an unsung hero for Liverpool. So far this season he has been incredibly important. His work rate and intelligence on the pitch has made the rest of his teammates’ jobs so much easier. Milner’s movement between the lines caused havoc against Crystal Palace as he created chance after chance for Liverpool’s front three.
Central Midfield – Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
Dele Alli has been outstanding so far this season and is very unlucky to only have one goal to his name. His runs from midfield into attack have been very difficult for defenders to mark which has given himself and his teammates opportunities to score.
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Left Wing – Sadio Mané (Liverpool)
The Senegalese winger flew under the radar last season due to the performances of Salah but he has been making sure he is recognised this season. Mané is Liverpool’s top scorer with three goals and could’ve had more. His positioning and game influence have improved from last season as he is now more consistently finding himself in goal scoring positions.
Striker – Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
Sergio Agüero has nearly always topped goals per games charts since he arrived in the league seven years ago but never finishes top scorer. His performances thus far show why he has so many goals to his name and why he possibly should be top scorer if he can stay fit this season.
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Striker – Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
The Bournemouth striker leads the way in the Premier League in terms of expected goals with an xG ratio of 2.79. The Englishman has been unlucky to only find the net twice but if his brilliant performances continue expect him to be one of the top scorers in the league.
