Premier League round-up: Pogba star man among Boxing Day top performers

 

Fulham 1-1 Wolves - Aleksandar Mitrovic - 7.88 rating

 

Aleksandar Mitrovic was unplayable at times for Fulham against Wolves, particularly in the first half where he recorded seven of his eight shots in the match. The Serbia international was denied a first half goal by a great Rui Patricio save before Conor Coady cleared another effort off the line in the dying embers. Despite playing up against three central defenders on his own, the 24-year-old also won 12 aerial duels. His contribution in attack was invaluable for Fulham, as the Cottagers did enough to leave the bottom of the table on Boxing Day.

 

Leicester 2-1 Manchester City - Ricardo Pereira - 8.25 rating

 

Leicester inflicted further misery on Manchester City after coming from behind to beat the defending Premier League champions. Marc Albrighton equalised for the Foxes in the first half before Ricardo Pereira slammed home a stunning goal in the 81st-minute to secure all three points for the home side. Pereira also won four aerial duels and more tackles than any other player on the pitch (6).

 

Liverpool 4-0 Newcastle - Dejan Lovren - 8.56 rating

 

Dejan Lovren kicked off Liverpool’s rout of Newcastle with a thundering strike in the 11th-minute and barely put a foot wrong after that. The 29-year-old won six aerial duels and made three clearances to help Liverpool keep their 12th clean sheet of the Premier League campaign. Furthermore, only defensive partner Virgil van Dijk (94%) had a better pass success rate than Lovren (90.2%) of all players that started for Liverpool.

 

Manchester United 3-1 Huddersfield - Paul Pogba - 10.0 rating

 

Paul Pogba was the top performing Premier League player on Boxing Day after garnering a perfect WhoScored 10 rating in Manchester United’s comfortable win over Huddersfield. The France international has now played a direct hand in four goals in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first two matches in charge after scoring two expertly placed finishes against the Terriers. Pogba also registered three key passes, completed four dribbles, made three interceptions and won three fouls in a complete midfield performance.

 

 

Tottenham 5-0 Bournemouth - Christian Eriksen - 8.99 rating

 

Tottenham leapfrogged Manchester City into second place after battering Bournemouth 5-0 at Wembley on Boxing Day. There were a number of impressive displays from Mauricio Pochettino’s players but Christian Eriksen claimed the WhoScored Man of the Match award after playing a direct hand in two goals (one goal, one assist). The 26-year-old was also important when Tottenham did not have the ball, making four tackles and interceptions combined.

 

Burnley 1-5 Everton - Lucas Digne - 9.21 rating

 

Everton put an end to their miserable five-game winless run with a comprehensive 5-1 victory away to Burnley, where Marco Silva's side netted five times from six shots on target. Lucas Digne finished as the star man at Turf Moor after netting two sumptuous long-range efforts, including his second direct free-kick of the season. The 25-year-old scored from both of his shots, which from from outside the box, while also making three interceptions and five clearances.

 

Crystal Palace 0-0 Cardiff - Neil Etheridge - 7.88 rating

 

Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge must have got the wrong memo on Boxing Day. While nearly every other game saw huge numbers of goals scored, Crystal Palace and Cardiff played out a 0-0 draw. Palace were twice denied by the woodwork, while Etheridge also made five saves, won one aerial duel and successfully claimed one cross to help Cardiff keep just their second clean sheet away from home in the league this season.

 

Brighton 1-1 Arsenal - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7.76 rating

 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the outright top scorer in the Premier League after netting his 13th goal of the campaign but it wasn’t enough for Arsenal to overcome Brighton on Boxing Day. The 29-year-old hit the target with three of his four shots and was denied another by a sensational Mat Ryan save prior to his opening goal. Aubameyang also won three aerial duels and completed two dribbles to finish as the WhoScored Man of the Match.

 

Watford 1-2 Chelsea - Eden Hazard - 8.79 rating

 

Eden Hazard scored twice as Chelsea overcame Watford with a narrow victory, in doing so bringing up his 100th and 101st goals for the club in all competitions. The Belgium international hit the target with all three of his attempts on goal, while also registering two key passes. Hazard was typically fouled four times but still managed to complete five dribbles and even hinted at the end of the match that his long-term future is at Chelsea and not Real Madrid.

Premier League round-up: Pogba star man among Boxing Day top performers