Our Premier League Team of the Weekend celebrates the finest performers of the past two days, with Man Utd, Arsenal and Crystal Palace stars featuring prominently in our lineup.
Premier League Team of the Weekend:
GK: Martin Dubravka – Burnley
When you’re scrapping for your life at the bottom end of the Premier League table, you need your goalkeeper to bail you out from time to time. Martin Dubravka did just that for Burnley this weekend as they beat relegation rivals Leeds United at Turf Moor.
Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna got the goals, but Dubravka pulled off four saves while keeping a rare clean sheet for the Clarets.
RB: Reece James – Chelsea
Chelsea‘s defence looked pretty ropey against Nottingham Forest, but Reece James was back to his brilliant best at the City Ground, coming away with a goal, assist and clean sheet.
Good morning, Blues. 💙#CFC | #NFOCHE pic.twitter.com/AscPBMhPTq
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 19, 2025
This was an extremely competitive spot in the lineup given the performances of Nordi Mukiele and Daniel Munoz for Sunderland and Crystal Palace respectively.
Read – Postecoglou pays price for diving back in at the deep end
CB: Harry Maguire – Man Utd
Why did Manchester United bother spending £74m on a new striker when they already have Harry Maguire? Not for the first time in his career ‘Slabhead’ scored a dramatic late winner for the Red Devils as they beat Liverpool away for the first time since 2016.
Arne Slot’s men bombarded the United defence in the second half and although United did concede, Maguire was an absolute behemoth at the back, making eight clearances and four recoveries.
Harry Maguire with a MASSIVE header to send the away end wild! 😱 pic.twitter.com/moUtr2aDsj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 19, 2025
Harry Maguire – Man Utd ‘won’t get carried away’ with Liverpool win
CB: Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal
Having dropped points at Craven Cottage last season, it was imperative that Arsenal shut out Fulham on Saturday. Gabriel was crucial to that effort, making nine clearances, one recovery and winning six aerial duels, while he also provided the assist for Leandro Trossard’s winning goal.
Read – Do Arsenal stats explain Viktor Gyokeres issues?
LB: Trai Hume – Sunderland
Not only did Trai Hume contribute to Sunderland‘s clean sheet in a massive win over Wolves, the Northern Ireland international was a threat in attack too. He provided the assist for Mukiele’s opener and hit the woodwork on a brilliant day for the young man.
A first Premier League goal for Nordi Mukiele 😍🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/zxf06qTvd0
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 18, 2025
CM: Bruno Fernandes – Man Utd
That assist for Maguire’s winner was a thing of beauty, but Bruno Fernandes was also excellent on the other side of the ball against Liverpool. He made five recoveries, two clearances and won two tackles while seemingly covering every blade of grass. He looked shattered by the end, illustrating the level of effort he put in.
On top of that, Fernandes created three chances and made 12 passes into the final third. His new deeper role has not dulled his impact for United.
Read – Bruno Fernandes insists Man Utd ‘always believe’ in Amorim system
CM: Boubacar Kamara – Aston Villa
Comeback wins on the road are not easy to come by. Although Boubacar Kamara did not register an involvement in either of Aston Villa‘s goals against Spurs, he played a vital role in the final result.
The Frenchman was a total workhorse in midfield, winning 14 duels, five tackles and making five recoveries. He was also adept at relieving pressure for his side, completing seven passes into the final third and winning four fouls, the most of any player on the pitch.
Read – Cristian Romero injury update issued following Spurs defeat
RW: Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Another stellar display from Bukayo Saka, who torched left-back Ryan Sessegnon on numerous occasions. It’s confounding how he didn’t come away with at least one assist against Fulham, having created six chances on the day.
Aside from that, Saka completed the most dribbles (6), won the most duels (14) and was the most fouled player (5 times) in the match. The Cottagers could not get a grip on him.
Read – Saka and Arteta disagree over Arsenal penalty decision
LW: Cody Gakpo – Liverpool
Cody Gakpo will have nightmares about that missed chance late on at Anfield, but no Liverpool player came away from the United defeat with more credit than him. His equaliser was richly deserved after hitting the woodwork three times; on another day he would have had a hatful of goals.
Read – Van Dijk makes ‘very sloppy’ Liverpool admission following Man Utd defeat
CF: Erling Haaland – Man City
At this rate Erling Haaland is becoming a permanent fixture in our Team of the Weekend. The Manchester City striker had the fewest touches (29) of any player in the win over Everton, but he got the two most important ones to score the only goals of the game.
Haaland just about pipped Brighton’s Danny Welbeck and Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth, both of whom also braced at the weekend.
Read – Foden says Manchester City teammate impossible to stop
CF: Jean-Philippe Mateta – Crystal Palace
If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to score a hat-trick and still come away from a match disappointed, then Jean-Philippe Mateta removed any doubt. This is not how the French striker would have liked to emulate compatriot Kylian Mbappe, who famously lost a World Cup final despite scoring three goals against Argentina.
The stakes in a Saturday 3pm kickoff against Bournemouth are just a wee bit smaller than that, but Mateta was no less disappointed with himself after missing a glorious chance at winning the match in stoppage time.
The Palace star had only moments prior put away a penalty to level matters in a six-goal thriller at Selhurst Park, having earlier poked home from close range twice.
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See Also – Six unforgettable games between Liverpool and Man Utd
