The 2021/22 season got off to a sensational start this weekend with 34 goals hammering home up and down the country.
Newcastle and West Ham offered a treat in the North East, a Tottenham in turmoil stunned Manchester City, Arsenal were beaten by Brentford and Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all showed their title details with windy performances.
There were so many performances worth a place in this week’s 90-minute battle, but we all know that only 11 players can make the cut – here are the ones who sealed their place …
What dreams are made of! ? pic.twitter.com/91bmHipKF3
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 14, 2021
GK: David Raya (Brentford) – Against an Arsenal side who wanted to sign him not so long ago, Raya was huge. He was dominant in the air, claiming every cross that came over him, but did his best work with the ball at his feet. He was everything Bernd Leno was not.
RB: Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham) – The task of being a constant threat to Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish, Tanganga could hardly have been better off if he had tried. That he was not even booked is mental.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – Not only did Chalobah impress defensively on his Premier League debut, he stole the show with a world of a strike from within that made him crash to the floor in tears. A real adult achievement.
CB: Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) – The latest success story without the league is Pinnock, who was outstanding to the left of Brentford’s defense. He was absolutely everywhere and even got involved in the opening against Arsenal.
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) – Chelsea’s first goal of the season was a wonderful free kick from Alonso, who is expanding his lead as the top back in the last five years.
? Appreciation item.
What an achievement, @PaulPogba? #MUFC | #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/v4J0ZnGLEs
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) 14 August 2021
CM: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – New year, same old Fernandes. His three goals in Man Utd’s 5-1 mauling of Leeds were fantastic, but someone else stole the headlines …
CM: Paul Pogba (Man Utd) – Only the four assistants to Pogba, who was so good that Graeme Souness was obviously furious at the praise directed at him.AM: Lucas Moura (Tottenham) – Against Man City, Moura led Tottenham’s counter with real determination and desire. He constantly recharged the pitch and was the man who relieved the pressure on the defense time and time again.
Our No. 9️⃣ will be our common leading @ premierleague goal scorer? pic.twitter.com/FINUkiW2rz
– West Ham United (@WestHam) August 15, 2021
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Salah’s first assist against Norwich was not intentional, but his second was definitely. The Liverpool man then topped it off with his own glorious strike.
ST: Michail Antonio (West Ham) – Antonio was completely unreal against Newcastle, so much so that his missed penalty does not even count against him. He gave a brilliant assist for the second goal and then thundered home the fourth with real class.
LW: Son Heung-min (Tottenham) – The task of replacing Harry Kane’s goal was Son’s pride in the gig when he hit home a wonderful effort on the counter. Nathan Ake will have nightmares about him.
Honorable mention: Ricardo Pereira (Leicester), Said Benrahma (West Ham), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ismaila Sarr (Watford)
