Perfect Palmer and Flawless Foden star in Premier League midweek best XI
After the conclusion of the Premier League’s midweek round of fixtures, we take a look back at the round’s standout performers. Included in our Team of the Week are players from Brentford, Brighton, Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
Mark Flekken (Brentford) - 7.95
The only goalless draw of the Premier League’s midweek round of fixtures came at the Gtech Community Stadium, where Brentford hosted Brighton. The visitors, though, had 24 shots to Brentford’s five, and so crucial to ensuring the hosts claimed a point was Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who made a total of six saves, one high claim and two aerial wins for a WhoScored rating of 7.95.
Joel Veltman (Brighton) - 7.45
Remaining in west London, Brighton defender Joel Veltman - who also helped his side to a clean sheet on Wednesday evening - earns a place in our Team of the Week. The 32-year-old made five tackles, four clearances and won five aerial duels to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.45.
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) - 7.52
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes followed up a dominating defensive display at the Etihad with another clean sheet in midweek as the Gunners swept aside Luton at the Emirates on Wednesday evening. Gabriel, who is the highest rated defender in the Premier League in 2024, made two tackles, an interception, five clearances and four aerial wins to land a WhoScored rating of 7.52.
Newcastle’s ever-growing list of absentees has seen Dan Burn, who typically plays on the left-hand side of the Magpies’ back four, fill in at centre-back. The 6ft6in defender did so to great effect against Everton on Tuesday night, winning 11 aerial duels, by far the most he has won in a Premier League match this season, while also making four tackles and six clearances to return a WhoScored rating of 7.67.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) - 7.61
Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko made his first start for Arsenal in the Premier League since early February, when he picked up an injury against Liverpool, and looked assured in what was a comfortable victory over Luton. The 27-year-old won two aerial duels, made two tackles, two interceptions, five clearances and one key pass to post a WhoScored rating of 7.61.
Rodri (Manchester City) - 8.67
Manchester City midfield machine Rodri retains his place in our Premier League best XI, having opened the scoring for the champions in their 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday. With that goal, the Spain international has equalled his best scoring season, while he also provided the assist for City’s third of the evening to take his tally of goal involvements to 13 this term.
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) - 8.53
Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister was directly involved in a Liverpool goal for the sixth successive match after his wonder strike against Sheffield United helped the Reds to a 3-1 victory. Mac Allister also made four tackles, two interceptions and two key passes in yet another impressive midfield display to help himself to a WhoScored rating of 8.53.
Chelsea hero Cole Palmer became only the fifth player to register a perfect 10.0 WhoScored rating in a Premier League match this season as he dramatically inspired the Blues to a dramatic late comeback against Manchester United on Thursday. The 21-year-old, who netted a penalty in the first half to put the hosts 2-0 up, found himself standing over another spot-kick in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time, with the visitors ahead. Palmer duly converted, before finding the net again a minute later to seal all three points in thrilling fashion.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 10.0
Also joining the perfect 10 club this week is Phil Foden, who bagged a sensational hat-trick against Aston Villa on Wednesday, his second in the Premier League this season. Foden restored City’s first-half lead with a well-taken free-kick in the first minute of added time, before netting spectacularly in the 62nd and 69th minute to complete his treble. The England international also made three key passes and three successful dribbles on his way to a second-ever perfect rating.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves) - 8.05
Wolves wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri netted his second league goal of the season at Burnley on Tuesday having only opened his account for the campaign two matches ago against Fulham. The 22-year-old Algerian also made two tackles, one key pass and five successful dribbles to take home a WhoScored rating of 8.05.
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) - 8.17
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood scored in a third successive Premier League game when he found the net in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Fulham at the City Ground. Wood, who also won five aerial duels and made three key passes, now boasts the best shot conversion rate in Europe’s top five leagues this season having found the net with 39.3% of his attempts on goal.
