Best and worst combined XIs from the Premier League opening weekend

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After a wonderful World Cup summer, the Premier League is back.

With six out of the eight victorious teams from this weekend all winning to nil and only two draws out of the 10 fixtures, the Premier League opening weekend didn’t quite have the drama and break-neck intensity served up in Russia this summer.

However, Arsenal’s defeat to Man City aside, all the big guns got off to winning starts and we were still treated to a host of great goals up and down the country.

Here are the best and worst XIs from Premier League game week one.

Best XI

Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy (Southampton)

(Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

Alex McCarthy and Joe Hart both looked on top form as they made sure Southampton and Burnley played out a goalless draw. However, McCarthy edges out his English compatriot for a place in this side as his six saves were crucial in keeping Burnley at bay – Hart only had to make three saves.

Key stat: Fabri (8) was the only goalkeeper to make more saves during the opening weekend, although the Fulham stopper also conceded two goals.

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)

After impressing in parts last season, Aaron Wan-Bissaka earned his place in the Crystal Palace starting line-up over the summer.

The 20-year-old proved more than a worthy match for Ryan Sessegnon in defence, whilst also showing his ability to carry the ball forward as he provided the assist for Wilfried Zaha’s goal with a perfectly-weighted through ball.

With composed displays like this, the youngster isn’t likely to give that place up anytime soon.

Key stat: Wan-Bissaka made more interceptions (4) than any other Palace teammate against Fulham.

Centre-back: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

Picked up from where he left off last season with a dominant display at the back for Liverpool. The Reds are a totally different animal with Van Dijk in the side as he gets them defending on the front foot and is only satisfied with a clean sheet.

The Dutchman also seems to have struck a good understanding with Joe Gomez at centre-back.

Key stat: Equally comfortable with the ball at his feet, Van Dijk’s 98.36% passing accuracy shows that he is the perfect template for a modern centre-back.

Centre-back: James Tarkowski (Burnley)

(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

After withdrawing from England’s standby list for the World Cup due to injury, James Tarkowski returned to Premier League action in imperious form again this weekend. He and Ben Mee marshalled the Burnley back-line brilliantly to help Joe Hart hold on to a clean sheet on his Burnley debut.

Key stat: Tarkowski’s won more aerial duels (10) and made more clearances (15) than any other defender in Matchday One.

Left-back: Jose Holebas (Watford)

As an all-round display from a full-back goes, it doesn’t get much better than Jose Holebas for Watford this weekend. The 34-year Greek international was solid in helping the Hornets keep a clean sheet and assisted both of Roberto Pererya’s goals at the other end.

Key stat: Jose Holebas created five chances for Watford against Brighton, the joint-most in the Premier League this weekend.

Central midfield: Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

After a stellar season in the Championship last term, and a lot of transfer speculation surrounding him over the summer, Ruben Neves was under a lot of pressure to perform against Everton on Saturday.

And the Portuguese international didn’t disappoint, scoring a wonderful free-kick in the first half and delivering a wonderful ball for Raul Jimenez to equalise for Wolves late in the second half.

Key stat: Ruben Neves was the only midfielder to both score and assist on the opening weekend.

Central midfield: Naby Keita (Liverpool)

A commanding, energetic display on his Liverpool debut. Based on this performance, Naby Keita will add real dynamism to the Reds’ midfield this season after dominating West Ham in the middle of the park.

Key stat: Naby Keita’s nine recoveries was the most of any Liverpool midfielder on Sunday.

Central midfield: Roberto Pereyra (Watford)

Watford completely outplayed Brighton on the opening day, and that was in no small part down to Roberto Pereyra.

Two wonderful goals, working hard in defence and a constant attacking threat, this was a fantastic individual display from the former Juventus man.

Key stat: To go with his two goals, Pereyra’s three dribbles completed was the most of any Watford player.

Forward: Richarlison (Everton)

After so much debate as to whether Everton overpaid for Richarlison, the Brazilian let his football do the talking with two goals on his competitive debut for the Toffees.

Had Everton not been reduced to 10 men, they might have been two winning goals.

Key stat: Richarlison scored with his first two shots for Everton – he had failed to find the net with his last 53 attempts for Watford.

Forward: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Liverpool’s front three looks raring to go again this season and, today, Sadio Mane was the standout among them.

Two goals from the Senegalese international helped put West Ham to the sword at Anfield, more of this ruthlessness is needed this season if Liverpool are to challenge Manchester City for the title.

Key stat: Sadio Mane became only the sixth player to score in three consecutive opening day Premier League fixtures after his brace against West Ham.

Forward: Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)

The Scottish international put Bournemouth ahead by scoring with his first shot of the season, just as he did with his final shot of last season.

A constant threat with his pace and trickery, Fraser was Bournemouth’s prime creative outlet as they beat Premier League new boys, Cardiff, 2-0.

Even Neil Warnock admitted as much in his post-match interview.

Key stat: Fraser won more fouls (4) and created more chances (3) than any player on the pitch.

Worst XI

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Arsenal)

(Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC)

Looked to be halfway toward saving Raheem Sterling’s opening goal before inexplicably giving up.

To give Petr Cech some credit, he did pull off a few decent saves. However, with Emery clearly wanting his side to play out from the back, Arsenal’s No.1 looked extremely uncomfortable – the Emirates fans looked terrified everytime their ‘keeper received the ball and he made a great attempt to get on the Man City scoresheet by nearly passing the ball into his own net.

Key stat: Petr Cech misplaced more passes (11) than any other Arsenal player vs. Man City.

Right-back: Daniel Amartey

Daniel Amartey had a torrid time against Man United on Friday night.

An inexplicable handball early on for Paul Pogba’s penalty encapsulated what was a terrible performance from the 23-year-old before being substituted on 63 minutes.

Key stat: Daniel Amartey has already picked up as many yellow cards this season as he did in 2017/18.

Centre-back: Phil Jagielka (Everton)

The debate will rage on as to whether Phil Jagielka’s challenge on Diogo Jota actually warranted a red card.

However, it was his sloppy first touch that put him in that situation in the first place and, given Everton’s strong start to the game and their brave performance with 10 men afterwards, the red card cost them the victory in this opening game.

Key stat: Phil Jagielka’s red card was Everton’s 90th in the Premier League – more than any other club.

Centre-back: Calum Chambers (Fulham)

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

There has been a fair amount of excitement surrounding Fulham’s return to the Premier League given their summer recruitment and the talent they already possess in Ryan Sessegnon.

Calum Chambers was a part of that recruitment drive and had a debut to forget at Craven Cottage – the 23-year-old Arsenal loanee lost Jeffrey Schlupp for Palace’s opener and never looked settled in the heart of the Fulham defence.

Key stat: Calum Chambers won just one of his seven aerial duels against Palace on Saturday.

Left-back: Arthur Masuaku (West Ham United)

Masuaku was one of many Hammers that endured a torrid day on Merseyside on Sunday.

He was at fault for Liverpool’s first two goals and was often caught out of position with his poor concentration levels – not a recommended trait when playing against one of world football’s most potent attacking trios – forcing Felipe Anderson into more defensive work than he would have expected.

Key stat: Arthur Masuaku lost possession more times (18) than any other West Ham player at Anfield.

Central midfield: Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)

Granit Xhaka just could not cope with Manchester City’s vibrant midfield as the Swiss international failed to convert his critics.

Picked up yet another booking with a cynical trip on Sergio Aguero.

Key stat: Granit Xhaka has more Premier League yellow cards than any other Arsenal player since the start of last season (11).

Central midfield: Callum Paterson (Cardiff City)

A Premier League debut to forget for Callum Paterson as Cardiff learned some harsh lessons about life at the top against Bournemouth.

Wasteful in possession and not up to the pace, Paterson’s bright point on Saturday was being substituted on 62 minutes.

Key stat: Callum Paterson’s wastefulness in midfield is highlighted by his 42.3% passing accuracy against Bournemouth – the lowest of any outfield player to start the game – and he also won just one out of four attempted tackles.

Right-wing: Andre Schurrle (Fulham)

A very underwhelming performance from one of Fulham’s big-name signings this summer as Andre Schurlle struggled to really impose himself on the Crystal Palace defence.

The Cottagers will be hoping for much more from the German international as the season goes on.

Key stat: Fulham had 15 shots against Crystal Palace, none of which were produced by Andre Schurrle.

Attacking midfield: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

It wasn’t for the want of trying, but Mesut Ozil just could not get Arsenal ticking in midfield on Sunday as City ran the show.

He didn’t seem to be on the same wavelength as the Arsenal forwards as he misplaced, overhit and under hit many of his through balls.

Key stat: Mesut Ozil’s 76.32% passing accuracy was the second lowest of any Arsenal midfielder – only Aaron Ramsey had a worse accuracy with 66.67%.

Left-wing: Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United)

It’s fair to say that Alexis Sanchez hasn’t hit full flow since signing for Manchester United in January – and Friday’s display against Leicester gave no indication that an improvement is afoot.

Sanchez squandered a number of good opportunities when United were breaking against Leicester with some sloppy passing and poor finishing – the Chilean failed to get a single shot on target.

Key stat: Alexis Sanchez’ completed just one more pass (24) than he did lose possession (23) vs. Leicester, resulting in the lowest passing accuracy (64.9%) of any outfield player.

Centre-forward: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

After the summer he has had, few could blame Harry Kane for being a little tired and off the pace.

However, that is exactly what he was against Newcastle on Saturday as he failed to truly trouble the Newcastle defence – Kane’s traditional August woes seem to be continuing.

Key stat: Harry Kane mustered just one shot against Newcastle and failed to hit the target in the process.

The post Best and worst combined XIs from the Premier League opening weekend appeared first on Squawka News.



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