Premier League round-up: Hat-trick hero Aguero leads way among top rated players

Manchester United moved into the top five of the Premier League for the first time since the opening weekend of the season after Arsenal lost 3-1 away to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side earlier battled their way to a 1-0 victory away to Leicester to leapfrog Arsenal and move to within two points of fourth-place Chelsea. Here we rank the top five WhoScored rated players across both of Sunday’s Premier league matches.

5. Ander Herrera (Manchester United) - 7.77 rating

Well rested after watching Manchester United’s midweek 2-2 draw with Burnley from the bench, Ander Herrera returned to the starting XI and was key to United keeping a clean sheet away to Leicester. The 29-year-old completed nine tackles and interceptions combined to disrupt Leicester’s attacks as best he could. While Herrera excelled without the ball, the Spaniard was also influential on it. He registered two key passes and completed three dribbles.

4. Bernd Leno (Arsenal) - 7.78 rating

Despite conceding three goals, Bernd Leno kept the scoreline respectable for Arsenal. Manchester City had 12 shots on target against the Gunners, with Leno making nine saves. Indeed, only David De Gea has made more saves in a Premier League match (11) than Leno’s feat against Pep Guardiola’s side.

3. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - 7.94 rating

Paul Pogba often cut a frustrated figure in Manchester United’s 1-0 victory against Leicester but the 2018 World Cup winner produced a moment of quality when it really mattered to hand his side all three points. Pogba’s perfectly-weighed lobbed pass was well-received by Marcus Rashford, who expertly lashed beyond Kasper Schmeichel. Pogba also made two tackles, completed three dribbles and attempted the most passes on the pitch (71). 

2. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 8.63 rating

Raheem Sterling played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s routine 3-1 victory over Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s side were successful in releasing Sterling down the side’s of Arsenal’s defence all afternoon, which resulted in Sterling providing one assist and a key part in City’s final goal. The 24-year-old registered four key passes in total and completed five dribbles, more than any other player on display at the Etihad.

1. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 9.55 rating

Sergio Aguero is now only one hat-trick short of Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 11 after continuing his stunning form against Arsenal with a treble. The Argentina international now has 10 goals in his last 12 matches against Arsenal in all competitions. Aguero hit the target with all four of his attempts on goal before being brought off to a standing ovation with 10 minutes remaining.