From Liverpool and Arsenal’s hard-fought victories to the VAR-induced drama at Etihad, this weekend of the Premier League has provided yet another set of action-packed games.
Sheffield United and Norwich City were both impressive, while the likes of Bournemouth and Everton were also victorious.
There were a number of star players who put in impressive performances, but here are three players who surely surprised the fans with their performances in Game Week 2:
Dani Ceballos (Arsenal)
The Real Madrid midfielder, on loan in England, was one of the best players of the weekend. Starting as a part of the attacking midfield for Arsenal, Ceballos was all over the Burnley midfield, running the game to his liking.
Using the pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a release, Ceballos assisted both the Arsenal goals and was a match-winner on his first start for The Gunners. He also completed four dribbles, registered three key passes and was pretty much a headache for the entire Burnley defence.
Arsenal’s new no.8 was certainly the biggest surprise package of the weekend for the way he orchestrated a Premier League victory for Unai Emery’s men.
John Lundstram (Sheffield United)
A relative unknown for the Premier League fans, 25-year old Lundstram, starting just the second Premier League game of his career, scored the winner for The Blades against Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane this weekend.
The Eagles struggled all night to put pressure on the Sheffield backline but it was Lundstram’s ability win the ball back and set up his team on the counter that created problems for the visitors.
He scored with his only shot on target but more impressively, he registered four tackles, four clearances and two interceptions, along with his goal. He added an extra body to Palace’s left, keeping Wilfried Zaha and Max Meyer quiet, and put in a stellar performance for Chris Wilder’s men.
Lundstram made just five starts last season in the Championship, with just an assist to his name, which makes his outing against Palace a surprise for many.
Eric Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Argentine international missed a major part of the previous season through injury. He made just nine starts in that campaign, but has started both the games for Spurs this season, and turned out to be their saviour at Etihad.
Lamela scored Spurs’ first goal against the run of play, just three minutes after Raheem Sterling’s strike, keeping the pressure on the Champions. He also put in a delicious ball to help Lucas Moura score from practically his first touch of the ball, coming on as a second-half substitute.
The Argentine may have struggled to get game time had Dele Alli been fit, but he is certainly making the most of the chances he is getting, helping his side to a point, the only point Manchester City have dropped this calendar year.
