Our Premier League Team of the Week celebrates the weekend’s finest performers after another round of top-flight action.
Premier League Team of the Week – Solanke, Kerkez, Semenyo
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale – Southampton
Southampton’s signing of Aaron Ramsdale was considered a coup in the summer and Russell Martin admitted it took some convincing to persuade the goalkeeper to swap Arsenal for the newly promoted Saints. Martin’s persistence paid off and Ramsdale delivered a performance of real quality to help the Saints to a first win of the season this weekend.
Some super second-half saves, including a wonderful stop to deny Michael Keane, helped the Saints break their duck against Everton.
“WHAT. A. SAVE.” 😱
Wait for the replay… ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/nQHVYbbDTN
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 3, 2024
Right-back: Ola Aina – Nottingham Forest
What a hit! The right-back made his mark in Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 win over West Ham after opening his account for the campaign in style. A sweet strike sealed a third consecutive Premier League win for Forest who are flying high this season.
It was the highlight of an all-action display from Aina, who won four tackles and 6/8 defensive duels. It’s time to sort out that contract…
Ladies and gentlemen, Ola Aina. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/fRSmUlPYxk
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 2, 2024
Centre-back: Joe Gomez – Liverpool
A rare outing at centre-back for Gomez, who was introduced at half-time with Ibrahima Konate injured.
The 27-year-old helped Liverpool turn the game around against Brighton, twice coming close to scoring, using the ball well, and squeezing high up the pitch. Defensively, he won 100% of his duels (4/4) and made two crucial blocks.
Centre-back: Marcos Senesi – Bournemouth
Marcos Senesi might just be one of the most underrated defenders in the Premier League this season. The Argentine produced another top performance as the Cherries upset Manchester City, with Senesi anticipating danger and commanding in his battles.
Eight duels won, seven ball recoveries and six clearances indicate a job well done, as Bournemouth beat the champions to continue their good form.
Left-back: Milos Kerkez – Bournemouth
What a performance. Kerkez delivered everything desired from a full-back against Manchester City, as the Bournemouth left-back put his body on the line for the Cherries cause and provided real threat going forward.
The Hungarian beat Phil Foden easily before teeing up Antoine Semenyo for the opener, before setting up the second for Evanilson with a wonderful cross. A brilliant block from Bernardo Silva was another highlight, in a display that saw Kerkez record a 97% pass accuracy.
🇭🇺 Milos Kerkez created 4 chances vs Man City and registered 2 assists.
He also completed 97% of his passes in the game.
What a performance and what a result. pic.twitter.com/2wyLURUR4u
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) November 2, 2024
Midfield: Pape Matar Sarr – Tottenham
An all-encompassing midfield performance from Sarr who led Spurs to a 4-1 comeback win against Aston Villa.
The Senegal international was involved in everything as Ange Postecoglou’s team roared back after the break, pressing intently, eating up the ground and setting Spurs in motion for their third goal. He seemed to increase in energy as the game went on. The 22-year-old is a real talent.
Midfield: Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle
Newcastle needed their big names to step up this weekend and Bruno Guimaraes duly delivered. The Brazilian was an unmissable presence in the 1-0 win over Arsenal, as he led the contest for duels won (11) and ball recoveries (8) while completing 100% of his dribbles.
Guimaraes is all action and helped bring tenacity back to Eddie Howe’s engine room. Alongside the equally impressive Sean Longstaff, the duo overcame Arsenal to help the Magpies to a first win in six league games. Howe will hope it’s onwards and upwards from here.
Bruno Guimarães’ game by numbers vs. Arsenal:
100% tackles won [🥇]
100% dribbles completed [🥇]
28 passes completed
11/18 duels won [🥇]
8 ball recoveries [🥇]
2 shotsAnother top performance. 🇧🇷💪 pic.twitter.com/zhtMGrXBTs
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 2, 2024
Right-wing: Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth
Too quick, too strong and too industrious for the champions, Antoine Semenyo tormented Pep Guardiola’s depleted Manchester City side this week. Semenyo won 11/14 duels in the game, scored the opener and created three chances, in a performance that proved just why bigger clubs are taking notice.
Antoine Semenyo’s game by numbers vs. Man City:
11/14 duels won
4 shots
3 dribbles completed
3/3 tackles won
3 chances created
1 goalBullied Man City this afternoon. 🇬🇭⚽️ pic.twitter.com/P9goj5JKfI
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 2, 2024
Left-wing: Anthony Gordon – Newcastle
Anthony Gordon just loves the big games. The Newcastle winger continued his brilliant record against the Big Six with a sensational assist for Alexander Isak’s winner against Arsenal. Gordon’s delivery could not have been more perfect for the Swedish striker, who headed home the only goal.
Gordon has now been involved in 18 goals in his last 22 league appearances at St James’ Park.
Forward: Matheus Cunha – Wolves
After rescuing a result for Wolves a week ago, Matheus Cunha dragged his side along on route to another hard-fought point this weekend. Cunha was involved in both goals during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, registered an assist and created three big chances. Almost everything positive came through Cunha, who now has 24 goals and assists in 42 appearances since the start of last season.
If Wolves are to survive this season, he will have an instrumental role in that success. That, of course, is if Wolves can keep him at Molineux. There will no doubt be interested clubs if Cunha continues in this vein.
Forward: Dominic Solanke – Tottenham
Starved of service in the first half before coming alive after the interval. Solanke will take the headlines from Tottenham’s comeback win against Aston Villa, after scoring a brilliant brace in North London.
He delicately lifted in a delightful first, before steaming in to slam home a second from close range. His work rate was terrific, as usual, and he got his rewards with two well-taken goals.
Read – Five of football’s biggest statement signings ever
See more – Iconic Duos: Striking synergy perfected, Cole and Yorke