punishes

matchweek 22 proved to be an essential one within the title race. 

left it late to select up three factors away at , with Darwin Nunez scoring twice in second-half stoppage time to ship a 2-0 win. That was then adopted up by throwing away a 2-0 lead to attract 2-2 towards . That leaves Liverpool six factors away from the Gunners and Nottingham Forest with a recreation in hand.

On the different finish of the desk, and proceed to flirt with an unlikely relegation battle, with the previous shedding 3-2 on their last-ever journey to Goodison Park, whereas the latter have been overwhelmed 3-1 at residence by . The 2 sides are eight and 10 factors away from the drop zone, respectively, and whereas few truly anticipate them to get dragged into the dogfight, supporters are shedding persistence — and fingernails to chew on.

As you possibly can see, it was an eventful weekend. So, which gamers lit up the Premier League? Right here’s our crew of the week based mostly on the Squawka Rating, with solely gamers to clock up greater than 45 minutes thought-about.

GK: Bernd Leno (Fulham)

Fulham returned to successful methods with a 3-2 victory away at Leicester Metropolis on Saturday courtesy of targets from Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore. Nevertheless, in addition they wanted a little bit of assist from their goalkeeper, with Bernd Leno making 5 saves to the tune of 0.7 targets prevented — greater than another goalkeeper this gameweek. His three diving saves was additionally a league-high, whereas he made eight recoveries and clocked up an 84% go completion charge.

Honourable point out: Alisson: 79%, made extra saves (7) than another purpose Premier League goalkeeper in matchweek 22.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Would you consider Trent Alexander-Arnold had offered only one help in his final 10 video games throughout all competitions earlier than the weekend? Nicely, the maestro is again. Alexander-Arnold notched the help for Nunez’s first purpose late on away at Brentford, as a part of a efficiency that additionally noticed him play three profitable passes into the Bees’ penalty space — essentially the most of any full-back within the league in matchweek 22. Alexander-Arnold was additionally the one full-back to supply an intentional help and assist his crew maintain a clear sheet.

Honourable point out: Reece James: 71%

CB: Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)

Again at Chelsea after getting back from his mortgage at Crystal Palace, Trevoh Chalobah was sensational on Monday night time and reminded everybody why he’s nonetheless such a highly-rated participant. The 25-year-old created a joint-league-high two massive possibilities — together with one to help Noni Madueke to place the Blues 3-1 up towards Wolves — whereas he received 80% of his aerial duels, made three ball-winning interceptions and accomplished seven clearances. Slotted straight again in at Stamford Bridge.

Honourable point out: Marc Guehi: 72%

CB: Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth completely demolished Newcastle at St. James’ Park in Saturday’s early kick-off however whereas the attacking show from the Cherries was sensational, credit score should even be given to their defence. Dean Huijsen was notably spectacular, with the Spanish-Dutch teenager rating first this gameweek for tackles received (3, 100%) and second for blocks (4), whereas additionally making seven recoveries and 4 clearances — together with a goalline clearance.

Honourable point out: Joachim Andersen: 70%

LB: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)

Antonee Robinson has typically been lauded for his attacking output this season however on Saturday, he solely created one likelihood towards Leicester. As a substitute, the US worldwide caught the attention together with his defensive work, with no full-back successful possession extra in his defensive third than him (7) this gameweek. He additionally made the joint-most ball-winning interceptions (3), together with two ball-winning tackles, three clearances and 10 recoveries. And that’s with out mentioning an 80% success charge on his 5 aerial duels.

Honourable point out: Milos Kerkez: 73%

CM: Mateo Kovacic (Manchester Metropolis)

There haven’t been many instances this season the place Manchester Metropolis have impressed with out Rodri and it’s no shock that one in all their greatest performances of the season got here when their Rodri stand-in was on the high of his recreation.

Mateo Kovacic weighed in with a purpose and an help as Metropolis destroyed Ipswich City 6-0 at Portman Street. However greater than that, the Croatian additionally received two tackles, 4 of his six floor duels and created the joint-most massive probabilities of the weekend (2).

CM: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)

Ryan Christie was an absolute machine midfield for Bournemouth on Saturday. The Scotland worldwide received a ridiculous, match-high 14 mixed floor and aerial duels, whereas additionally making 9 tackles (successful 5 of them), six recoveries, three interceptions and 5 clearances. All that defensive output and he was dribbled previous simply as soon as. And he nonetheless had time to try three pictures and create one massive likelihood.

By way of gamers who could get missed from the weekend, Christie was probably the greatest within the Premier League.

Honourable point out: Sander Berge: 73%

RW: Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)

Yankuba Minteh bought Brighton going towards Man Utd on Sunday with a purpose after simply 5 minutes, whereas he additionally arrange Kaoru Mitoma to revive their lead within the second half — one in all two massive possibilities created. However greater than that, his work charge helped stifle Man Utd, with Minteh successful all three of his tackles, whereas making two recoveries and one interception. The Purple Devils couldn’t address him on both aspect of the ball.

AM: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)

With a hat-trick and an help, Justin Kluivert was immediately concerned in all 4 of Bournemouth’s targets of their win over Newcastle. There merely wasn’t a participant within the Premier League higher than him this matchweek. Even with all that dismantling of the Magpies’ backline, Kluivert nonetheless had time to make two clearances and 7 recoveries to maintain Bournemouth ticking over with out the ball. A surprising show.

An honourable point out should come right here for Phil Foden, who scored 81% together with his two targets and an help at Ipswich, though he was tougher to put as he drifted between the wing and No.10 positions.

LW: Jeremy Doku (Manchester Metropolis)

Jeremy Doku truly misplaced essentially the most duels (8) of any participant on the pitch in Ipswich 0-6 Man Metropolis. Nevertheless, three of these have been within the air, which isn’t his speciality, whereas he tried six dribbles and managed to finish 4 of them. The Belgian helped himself to a purpose and an help within the away day riot, whereas additionally creating three possibilities — together with two massive possibilities — and making two tackles, successful one in all them.

ST: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goalscoring drought is a factor of the previous, with the Frenchman now netting 4 in his final three Premier League appearances — after managing solely 4 in his first 19 video games of the season.

Mateta scored twice as Palace received 2-0 away at London rivals West Ham on Saturday, whereas additionally creating one massive likelihood and taking part in 4 passes into the ultimate third. He solely received one in all his seven aerial duels, however that didn’t matter as he did the harm elsewhere.

Darwin Nunez deserves a particular point out together with his two late targets towards Brentford however he solely performed 25 minutes.