Hat-trick heroes Foden and Cunha make Premier League Team of the Week
After a record-breaking, goal-packed weekend of Premier League football, we’ve taken a look back at the standout performers across gameweek 22, with Brentford, Newcastle, Brighton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Luton, Manchester United and Wolves all represented in our best XI.
Mark Flekken (Brentford) - 8.63
Brentford’s Mark Flekken became the first goalkeeper to register an assist in the Premier League this season when his goal kick found Neal Maupay, who tucked home for the Bees against Manchester City on Monday evening. The 30-year-old was not done there though, as he made a whopping 12 saves on the night, setting a record for the most made by a goalkeeper in a Premier League match this season.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) - 7.76
England international Kieran Trippier brought his tally of goal involvements for the season to 10 with a goal and an assist in Newcastle’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Luton on Saturday. The 33-year-old also made two key passes, three tackles and four ball recoveries to register a WhoScored rating of 7.76.
Brighton defender Lewis Dunk got the Seagulls off to the perfect start inside just three minutes of Saturday’s M23 derby against Crystal Palace as he headed home his second goal of the season. Dunk also made three interceptions, two key passes and completed five accurate long balls in a strong all-round showing to return a WhoScored rating of 7.90.
Ruben Dias (Manchester City) - 7.58
Manchester City’s Ruben Dias misplaced just two passes against Brentford on Monday night, in a strong all-round display that saw him record a 97.4% pass success rate. The Portugal international also completed all five of the long balls he attempted, while he also made three blocks and three clearances - one of which was on the goal line - to post a WhoScored rating of 7.58.
Alex Moreno (Aston Villa) - 8.37
Slotting in at left-back in this week’s team is Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno, who spectacularly volleyed home the visitors’ fifth goal of the evening on Saturday. Moreno, who has only started five league games this season having recently returned from injury, also made two tackles, three interceptions and completed two successful dribbles to land a WhoScored rating of 8.37, his best in an Aston Villa shirt.
Pascal Gross (Brighton) - 8.75
Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross brought his tally of Premier League assists for the season to eight with two in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace. The Germany international, who is Brighton’s highest rated player this season, also made four tackles, three key passes and two successful dribbles to post a WhoScored rating of 8.75, his best of the season so far.
After recording his best rated performance of the season against Brighton in midweek, Ross Barkley went one further against Newcastle at the weekend; his 9.12 rated display is now his best of the campaign. At St James’ Park, Barkley scored and assisted in a match for the first time since July 2020, while he also made four tackles, two interceptions, five clearances, four key passes and two successful dribbles.
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) - 8.92
19-year-old Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho found the net with both of his attempts on goal against West Ham on Sunday, netting twice for the second time in his last three home matches. The Argentine also made three key passes and completed one successful dribble to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.92.
With a WhoScored rating of 9.69, Wolves’ hat-trick hero Matheus Cunha is the Premier League player of the week after his performance in the 4-2 win over Chelsea. Cunha equalised for the visitors after 22 minutes, before adding his second and third of the afternoon in the second half to complete a resounding victory for Gary O’Neil’s side.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 9.44
England attacker Phil Foden netted the second hat-trick of the weekend when his three goals saw Manchester City come from behind to claim all three points at Brentford on Monday evening. The 23-year-old also made three key passes and six ball recoveries to earn a WhoScored rating of 9.44.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 9.43
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins became the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League this season with his goal and two assists in the 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United. The 28-year-old’s electric showing saw him land a WhoScored rating of 9.43, marking his second best rated performance of the season so far.
