Matchweek 3 of the 2019-20 Premier League season had excitement all around, starting with the Friday night game between Aston Villa and Everton to Sunday’s match between champions Manchester City and Bournemouth. Liverpool still lead the table after a win against rivals Arsenal and are now the only team with a 100% record in this season.
7 of the 10 matches in this past weekend’s Premier League was won by away teams, with several teams getting their first wins of the season, with several key performances by players who weren’t expected to do as well on the day.
Let’s take a look at 3 players who surprised in Premier League Matchweek 3.
Fabian Schar
Tottenham lost their first game of the season against Newcastle United at home as they fell to a first-half goal from Newcastle United record signing Joelinton. Mauricio Pochettino’s side dominated the game, with a whopping 80% possession but had just 3 shots on target.
Steve Bruce’s men defended very well, led by captain Jamaal Lascelles, who marshalled his players brilliantly. One of the key men for the Magpies on Sunday was Fabian Schar, who made 6 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 blocks, while also completing 17 passes in the game. The Magpies had conceded 3 goals against Norwich City a week ago, and this was their first clean sheet of the season – and a very important one.
Jota
Aston Villa winger Jota was called up to the Villa starting lineup for their game against Everton and impressed on the right side for the newly-promoted side. The winger was a low-key signing for Dean Smith’s team, having moved from Birmingham City in the summer transfer window.
Jota fed striker Wesley with a marvellous through ball to give Villa the lead in the 21st minute and troubled the Everton backline with his dribbling and pace. The winger completed 5 dribbles in the match – the most by any player from either side in the game, while also being a hard worker who contributed defensively too.
Tammy Abraham
21-year-old striker Tammy Abraham shushed his critics in the best way this past weekend, scoring two crucial goals – including the winner – in Chelsea’s game against Norwich City. Both of Abraham’s goals – his first two for his boyhood club – were well-taken goals that truly showed what a clinical striker he can be.
Having failed to score any goals in the first three games of Chelsea’s season, many expected him to be dropped and replaced by experienced French forward Olivier Giroud, but manager Frank Lampard trusted Abraham, who repaid his manager’s faith in him.
