Two Argentinian strikers scored five goals between them to make our Team of the Week.
Ben Foster (Watford)
Crucial late saves from Foster preserved Watford’s clean sheet as they came away from Brighton with a well-earned point. Hornets manager Javi Gracia praised his number one for a “special performance” after the match, but even that might be an understatement.
Matt Doherty (Wolves)
Doherty takes his place in our Team for the second time in a week after his performance at Everton. He won a penalty after just six minutes as he was too quick for Leighton Baines, and it soon became clear that Wolves’ plan was to move the ball to his flank as quickly as possible. As a result, he had more touches of the ball than any of his teammates.
Craig Cathcart (Watford)
Cathcart was on the scoresheet in midweek as Watford lost at Tottenham, but he it was his defensive contributions that stood out. The centre back made 11 clearances and seven interceptions at Brighton, both match highs, and won all three of his attempted tackles. Could Watford finish in the top half?
Sol Bamba (Cardiff)
Considering how Bournemouth had ripped apart Chelsea last Wednesday, few thought Cardiff would hold them off on Saturday. However, Bamba was at the heart of the defence that kept a clean sheet, making six clearances and seven interceptions in the process. The Bluebirds have now kept four clean sheets at home this season, as many as Tottenham and Arsenal.
Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
For a centre back playing out of position, it’s fair to say that an assist inside in the first minute certainly boosts the confidence. Laporte had the highest pass success rate of any player on the pitch, 94%, while he also won a match-high five aerial duels.
Bobby Reid (Cardiff)
Birthday boy Reid was on the mark in both halves as Cardiff picked up a vital home win against Bournemouth. There were just five minutes on the clock when the Bluebirds’ forward opened the scoring with a penalty. He was even faster after the break as he beat the offside trap to score just 15 seconds in.
Leander Dendoncker (Wolves)
Dendoncker has had to wait for his chance at Wolves, but he has started their last six games in all competitions and claimed his first goal for the club at Everton. He also made five tackles and four clearances; no other player recorded more.
Declan Rice (West Ham)
Liverpool could not find the three points they needed at West Ham and, in truth, were lucky to leave with one. Rice made eight tackles in the heart of midfield, more than any other player this weekend.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Chelsea recovered from their midweek defeat at Bournemouth with an emphatic victory over a sorry Huddersfield. Hazard put his name on the scoresheet twice, first with a penalty and then with a cute finish after rounding Jonas Lossl. Those were his first league goals at Stamford Bridge since September.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
For the second time in five days, Aguero opened the scoring for City within 60 seconds. This time, however, he scored twice more as his side ran out comfortable winners over Arsenal. He has now scored ten Premier League hat-tricks; only Alan Shearer has more.
Gonzalo Higuain (Chelsea)
Higuain opened his account in west London with a powerful drive after Ngolo Kante’s smart pass. He doubled his tally for the match after half time, curling the ball beyond Lossl from another Kante assist. Could he be the ingredient that truly brings Sarri-ball at the Bridge?