Our Premier League Team of the Week celebrates the standout performers from the weekend action.
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
Two huge saves to ensure the momentum remained with those in Claret and Blue. Martinez reacted brilliantly to turn Alex Scott’s deflected effort over the bar, as the diversion threatened to loop the midfielder’s shot goal-bound.
The Argentine then came up trumps to keep out Antoine Semenyo’s penalty, guessing right to thwart the in-form forward.
Antoine Semenyo’s penalty is SAVED by Emi Martinez! 😮 pic.twitter.com/YEtv2jUvdu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 9, 2025
Right-back: Trai Hume – Sunderland
A great game from the Sunderland right-back, who dominated his duel with Leandro Trossard, even if the latter found space from Noah Sadiki to score for Arsenal.
Trossard’s move infield came as Hulme impressed defensively, winning 6/7 ground duels. He was also involved in the late equaliser on a memorable night for the Black Cats.
Centre-back: Dan Ballard – Sunderland
Three game-changing moments against the side where he came through the ranks. Ballard blasted in an opener for Sunderland against Arsenal, and was involved heavily as the Black Cats recovered from falling behind to claim a point.
He recorded an assist for Brian Brobbey’s late equaliser to spark wild scenes in the Stadium of Light, before a heroic block to deny Mikel Merino an even later winner for Arsenal.
BIG. DAN. BALLARD. pic.twitter.com/zaTG0w4KIB
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 8, 2025
Centre-back: Michael Keane – Everton
Written off in the summer, there’s an argument that Michael Keane has been Everton’s most consistent performer this season.
The centre-back marked his 350th career league appearance with a goal as the Toffees beat Fulham at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Dominant at both ends, the decision to hand the veteran a new deal has proven wise.
Left-back: Nico O’Reilly – Manchester City
Pep Guardiola continues to insist that Nico O’Reilly is a midfielder, but he’s thriving at left-back right now. The 20-year-old locked down the threat of Mohamed Salah against Liverpool and claimed an assist thanks to Jeremy Doku’s brilliance.
In the England squad this month, Thomas Tuchel should look closely at O’Reilly. The left-back role for the Three Lions is up for grabs.
Midfield: Matheus Fernandes – West Ham
An excellent outing from the summer signing. Fernandes was a driving force as West Ham made it back-to-back wins by beating Burnley in the capital.
The 21-year-old brought bundles of energy, effective ball use, and superb technique. He led his teammates for chances created (3) and made 11 defensive contributions. Crucial all over the park.
Midfield: Emi Buendia – Aston Villa
The Emi Buendia Remontada continues. Ousted out on loan last season, he struggled for minutes at Bayer Leverkusen and saw whispers of a permanent exit from Villa Park remain just talk. Since then, he’s knuckled down to impress under Unai Emery and was fantastic in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth.
A sensational free-kick opened the scoring, in a performance that saw Buendia create two chances and win six ground duels. It’s now three goals and two assists in just four Premier League starts this season.
Emi Buendia, THAT IS SENSATIONAL! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NghSLTZFQm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 9, 2025
Right-wing: Omari Hutchinson – Nottingham Forest
Helped turn the game for Nottingham Forest against Leeds from the bench. Hutchinson has had a tough time since joining Forest in the summer, with the winger yet to start a Premier League game and left out of the Europa League squad.
His impact off the bench suggests he deserves more minutes. A brilliant cross picked out Morgan Gibbs-White to head Forest in front, before Hutchinson won the penalty for Elliot Anderson to score the third. Lively.
Left-wing: Jeremy Doku – Manchester City
Electric. The Belgian was unplayable as Manchester City took apart Liverpool at the Etihad. He completed 7/8 dribbles, won 11 ground duels, had five shot-creating actions, and topped a magnificent performance with a stunning solo goal. Few full-backs anywhere can live with Doku when he’s in this mood.
2019 – Jérémy Doku today is the first player to score, win 10+ duels (11), complete 7+ dribbles (7), create 3+ chances (3) and have 3+ shots on target (3) in a single Premier League game since Eden Hazard for Chelsea v West Ham in April 2019. Outstanding. pic.twitter.com/VxUVsgZqHj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 9, 2025
Forward: Alejandro Garnacho – Chelsea
His best game in a Chelsea shirt so far. Garnacho’s running in behind posed problems for Wolves all evening, and after wasting an early chance, the Argentine was decisive when it mattered. A perfect cross was headed home for the opener, before Garnacho provided another pinpoint pass for Pedro Neto to tap in the third.
Forward: Igor Thiago – Brentford
First, it was fear over Ivan Toney’s exit. Then Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. That latter duo combined for 39 league goals last season, but Igor Thiago has stepped in to keep Brentford’s forward line firing.
The Brazilian extended his haul to eight goals in just 11 games with a brace to sink 10-man Newcastle, a record only Erling Haaland can better.
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