The Premier League was back with a bang, as the top five teams from last season picked up three points to start their campaign on the front foot. Here is a look at the top performers from week 1:
Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy (Southampton) – Making six saves to keep a clean sheet and help earn his team a precious point, McCarthy shone in the Saints’ season opener against Burnley.
Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace) – Roy Hodgson has put his faith in the 20-year-old, and Wan-Bissaka repaid him with interest in Palace’s 2-0 win over the Cottagers. The youngster defended competently and provided a magical assist for Wilfired Zaha’s goal.
Centre-back: Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea) – The German defender picked up from where he left off in the FA Cup final with a dominant display. In the first half, when Huddersfield put pressure on Chelsea, Rüdiger had all the answers.
Centre-back: Aymeric Laporte (Man City) – A few eyebrows may have been raised when Pep Guardiola paid a club record fee of £57m for Laporte, but the left-footed defender showed his quality in Manchester City’s 2-0 win away at the Emirates.
Left-back: Luke Shaw (Man Utd) – It has been a long road back to the top for Luke Shaw, after breaking his leg in Europe and in struggling to come to terms with José Mourinho’s tactics. But on the opening day, Shaw was United’s match-winner with his first professional goal.
Centre-mid: Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers) – The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder showed all of his potential in a stunning display in Wolves’ 2-2 draw at home to Everton. His delivery for Wolves’ second was sublime, his free-kick for the opener was even better.
Centre-mid: Naby Keïta (Liverpool) – A commanding performer in the centre of the park, Liverpool’s confidence of a title winning campaign has been enhanced with the performance and efficiency of their new recruit in week 1.
Centre-mid: Roberto Pereyra (Watford) – The former Juventus midfielder lit up Vicarage Road and showed why he has 10 caps for Argentina with a stunning brace for Watford. His volley was a contender for the best goal in the opening round of fixtures, and his second goal wasn’t too shabby either. *Player of the Week
Left Forward: Richarlison (Everton) – Was he worth the money? That was the question on everyone’s lips when Richarlison pulled up at Everton for a deal that could be worth up to £50m. After one game and two goals, it looks like sound business by Marco Silva.
Centre Forward: Sadio Mané (Liverpool) – His first goal was a tap-in, the second was offside, but Mané’s all-round performance for Liverpool was outstanding and too good for West Ham.
Right Forward: Raheem Sterling (Man City) – Although he started on the left for City, there is no way that Sterling could be left out of the team of the week. His solo goal gave the champions a platform to build on, and although on another day he could’ve seen red, on this day he was City’s biggest difference maker.
Subs: David de Gea (Man Utd), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Benjamin Mendy (Man City), Bernardo Silva (Man City), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Recap the opening round of the 2018/19 Premier League Season
