Perfect McNeil leads Everton-heavy Premier League team of the week
Everton put in a five-star performance at Brighton on Monday night, and it's no surprise to see the Toffees dominate the Premier League team of the week. Additionally, Arsenal, Tottenham, Wolves, Leicester and Nottingham Forest are also represented in the best XI.
Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) - 7.92
Few gave Arsenal a chance of securing a result against Newcastle on Sunday, but the Gunners earned a hard-fought 2-0 win at St. James' Park to keep their title hopes alive. Aaron Ramsdale was key for the north London side between the sticks as he made five saves and two high claims on Tyneside to keep a clean sheet and return a WhoScored rating of 7.92.
Pedro Porro (Tottenham) - 8.10
The first of two Tottenham players in the side, Pedro Porro registered his second Premier League assist of his career as he turned provider for Harry Kane's winning goal against Crystal Palace on the stroke of half time. That assist came from one of four key passes against the Eagles, while two tackles, two clearances and one interception saw the Spaniard yield a WhoScored rating of 8.10.
Cristian Romero (Tottenham) - 8.60
The second Tottenham player in the side, Cristian Romero returned a WhoScored rating of 8.60 as he played a key role in keeping Crystal Palace at bay on Saturday. The 25-year-old was unfortunate not to score having struck the woodwork with one of two efforts on goal, and was essential in stifling the Palace offensive as the Argentine made eight clearances, five interceptions and three tackles in a man of the match showing.
James Tarkowski (Everton) - 7.94
The first of five Everton players to make the cut following their resounding 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday, James Tarkowski put in a solid shift at the heart of the Toffees backline as evidenced by his WhoScored rating of 7.94. Indeed, Tarkowski made 11 cleareances and three interceptions in a fine defensive display that ultimately boosted the Toffees' survival hopes.
Wolves earned a 1-0 win over rivals Aston Villa on Saturday with defender Toti the star man at Molineux having returned a WhoScored rating of 8.05. The 24-year-old scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute, getting the better of Emiliano Martinez with his only effort on goal, and remained steadfast to minimise the Villa attack to round off the backline.
The second Everton player in the team of the week kicks off the midfield with Alex Iwobi landing a WhoScored rating of 8.22 against Brighton on Monday night. Iwobi provided the assist for Dwight McNeil's first and Everton's fourth at the Amex, that coming from his only key pass on the night, and was a constant menace to the Brighton backline as he completed five dribbles on the south coast.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton) - 8.77
Abdoulaye Doucoure scored his third and fourth league goals of the season at Brighton on Monday as the 30-year-old bagged a first half brace for the Toffees at the Amex. Both of Doucoure's efforts on goal beat Seagulls shotstopper Jason Steele, while three tackles, two clearances and one interception saw the Mali international yield a WhoScored rating of 8.77.
James Maddison (Leicester) - 8.69
Leicester may occupy one of the three relegation spots with three games to play, but one player who'll likely be plying their trade in the Premier League next season regardless is James Maddison. The Foxes star joins Doucoure in the middle of the park in the team of the week having garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.69. The 26-year-old may have been on the losing side at Fulham on Monday afternoon, but played his part in an entertaining 5-3 loss at Craven Cottage as Maddison had a direct hand in two of Leicester's three goals, scoring once.
Dwight McNeil (Everton) - 10.0
Rounding off the midfield is the Premier League player of the week. Dwight McNeil put in a perfect WhoScored 10 rated performance for Everton at Brighton on Monday with the 23-year-old directly involved in three of the Toffees' five goals at the Amex. McNeil followed up his assist for Doucoure's second with a second half brace, those coming from respective returns of three key passes and four shots. In addition, the Everton winger completed five dribbles to cap his best rated performance of the season.
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest) - 8.43
Nottingham Forest played their part in an entertaining bank holiday set of fixtures as they earned a 4-3 win over relegation rivals Southampton to give their hopes of survival a shot in the arm. Taiwo Awoniyi was the star man for Forest at the City Ground as he bagged a quickfire first half double on home turf, getting the better of Alex McCarthy with two of three shots to help earn a WhoScored rating of 8.43.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) - 8.34
Partnering Awoniyi on the frontline is the fifth and final Everton representative. Injuries have restricted Dominic Calvert-Lewin to just 15 appearances this season, but he put in his best rated showing of the campaign against Brighton on Monday as the Toffees striker returned a WhoScored rating of 8.34. The 26-year-old provided the assist for Doucoure and Everton's first of the night and was a real thorn in the side of the Brighton defence as he won nine aerial duels to complete the team of the week.
