Premier League round-up: Saturday's man of the match performances assessed

 

After a slow start to the Premier League action on Saturday there were goals aplenty across the six matches, with six man of the match performances for us to dissect.

Cardiff 0-0 Newcastle: Neil Etheridge - 8.41

Many felt that Cardiff would struggle this season having not replaced a number of players lacking in top-flight experience over the summer, starting in goal with Etheridge. The 28-year-old has silenced any doubters to now, however, becoming only the second goalkeeper ever to save penalties in his first two Premier League appearances. The latest, against Newcastle’s Kennedy, came in the 95th minute to earn his side a point and was his sixth stop of the match.

Everton 2-1 Southampton: Richarlison - 8.08

Just pipped to a first WhoScored.com man of the match award for his new club last week, there was no stopping Richarlison on his home debut, having added his third goal in just two appearances for the Toffees. The Brazilian’s industry off the ball is as refreshing as his threat going forwards and two supplement two shots and two dribbles the 21-year-old won two tackles and four aerial duels.

Leicester 2-0 Wolves: Ben Chilwell - 9.02

Now undoubtedly Leicester’s first choice left-back under Claude Puel, Chilwell is starting to look the part in the Premier League and undoubtedly one to watch for the future. The 21-year-old looks powerful down the flank and capped a fantastic all-round display with a goal-saving block on the line, having completed four dribbles, five tackles and 88 per cent of his passes.

Tottenham 3-1 Fulham: Harry Kane - 8.47

His hoodoo is finally over after Harry Kane finally found the net in the opening month of a Premier League campaign. It was his fifteenth game and have missed two chances beforehand, ratting the crossbar with the second, the striker found the net in expert fashion to kill off Fulham and score with what was his 49th shot in the month of August. He could have had more, missing another good chance with his fourth and final attempt of the game, but the World Cup golden boot winner was a real threat all afternoon.

 

 

West Ham 1-2 Bournemouth: Steve Cook - 8.27

While Cook’s first assist of the Premier League season owed everything to the endeavour and skill of Callum Wilson, equalising at the London Stadium after the break, the centre-back’s first goal of the season proved to be the match-winner. Outmuscling and outmanoeuvering Angelo Ogbonna, the Cherries defender headed home Ryan Fraser’s corner and was crucial to the visitors rearguard action thereafter, making 11 clearances.

Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal: Marcos Alonso - 8.70

The fixture list promised to save the best until last on Saturday and that proved to be the case after a scintillating first half at Stamford Bridge. Pedro got the ball rolling for the hosts though his task was the easiest of an incisive move that saw Jorginho threat Alonso through on the left before the Spaniard put the ball on a plate for his compatriot. Chelsea looked to be in complete charge but then let Arsenal back into the game with some slack defending and it was 2-2 at the break. It was Alonso who would prove to be the match-winner, making the sort of runs into the box that have seen him chip in with so many important goals for the Blues, and his 81st minute strike certainly fell into that category.

 

Premier League round-up: Saturday's man of the match performances assessed

 

Premier League round-up: Saturday's man of the match performances assessed