Manchester City hit Huddersfield for six, Brighton surprised Manchester United, and Chelsea edged out Arsenal in the best moments of Week 2 in the Premier League. Here’s a look at some of the best performers from the second week of action:
GK Neil Etheridge (Cardiff) – Completing six saves on his way to earning a clean sheet, the Bluebirds’ custodian saved Brazilian Kenedy’s 95th minute penalty to earn Cardiff a valuable first Premier League point of the season.
RB Kieran Trippier (Spurs) – Arguably England’s best performer in Russia, it was always going to be interesting to see how the Bury Beckham returned to domestic action. His sublime free-kick showed that he has picked up where he left off.
CB Shane Duffy (Brighton) – Losing his regular defensive partner Lewis Dunk to injury after 20 minutes, Duffy led Brighton at the back and doubled their lead with his first Premier League goal in the Seagulls’ shock 3-2 win against Man United.
CB Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – A colossal figure at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, and two clean sheets in two games. His hefty transfer fee looks like a bargain. Christian Benteke would have loved to score against his old team, but not on VVD’s shift.
LB Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) – An assist and a decisive match-winning goal in the London derby. Maurizio Sarri’s tactical system leaves Alonso exposed at times defensively, but going forward, he’s one of Chelsea’s biggest weapons.
RM Pedro (Chelsea) – His movement and finishing ability are elite level. Pedro put in another outstanding performance in another big game, and took his chance when it arrived. The most underrated attacker in the Premier League?
CM Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford) – It’s just two games into the season, but Doucouré’s outrageous pass to Troy Deeney was the assist of the season so far; Burnley’s miserly defence were left helpless.
CM David Silva (Man City) – It was a tough World Cup for Silva, and it has been an even tougher period in his personal life with his son born prematurely last December. But on the day baby Mateo came to the Etihad as a mascot, Silva delivered a golden performance with a platinum free-kick for his scrap book.
LM Richarlison (Everton) – Three goals with his first three shot, Richarlison is becoming the Toffees’ talisman. His lofty ambitions of being the Premier League’s top scorer might be unrealistic. However, at just 21-years-old, the Brazilian has reinvigorated the Evertonians’ passion for the game again.
CF Harry Kane (Spurs) – The August hoodoo has finally been put to bed. The England captain is up and running, and ahead of schedule with a delightful goal to seal Tottenham’s victory over Fulham.
CF Sergio Agüero (Man City) – Climbing into the all-time top 10 Premier League goal scorers with his superb hat-trick, Agüero has now reached 146 goals in England’s top flight. His second goal was an instinctive finish, but his first and third goals were contenders for goal of the week. A truly sensational display of finishing from the Argentine. *Player of the Week
Subs: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Benjamin Mendy (Man City), Steve Cook (Bournemouth), Mo Salah (Liverpool), Glenn Murray (Brighton)
