Premier League Matchweek 29 has not produced too many goals, as only 15 goals have been scored in 9 games till now. But, there were some important results and key performances on Saturday and Sunday, up and down the table. Liverpool came back from a goal down to win yet again, while Manchester United silenced their “noisy neighbours” and did the league double over Pep Guardiola’s men.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea ran riot against Everton, while the likes of Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, and Arsenal secured narrow wins.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 players of Premier League Matchweek 29
Ross Barkley
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard had a dearth of first-team midfielders following the injuries to Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante, while Jorginho was suspended. This meant that he had to start the trio of Mason Mount, teenager Billy Gilmour and Ross Barkley.
Barkley shone in midfield against his former side, setting up two goals. The Englishman made a whopping 10 dribbles in the game and absolutely bossed his former side. Lampard will have a selection headache when the likes of Kante, Jorginho and Kovacic become available for selection but that is one headache he will welcome.
Sadio Mane
Liverpool seemed like they were on their way to yet another loss when they fell behind early to Bournemouth. The Premier League leaders went behind in the 9th minute, but they got back in the game thanks to good pressing and awareness by Sadio Mane, who won the ball back near the edge of the box and laid it off to Mohamed Salah, who finished well.
Mane then got on the scoresheet after latching onto a through ball by Virgil van Dijk, to give Liverpool the lead and the win which sees them needing just two more wins before they are guaranteed the Premier League title.
Dean Henderson
Dean Henderson has made a huge impression this season for Sheffield United and is pushing for a spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad. The Blades goalkeeper, who is on loan from Manchester United, made several key saves in Sheffield’s win against Norwich City. He made four saves in total, three of which was a triple save from a corner, which helped the Blades get all three points.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
For the second match in the season, Aaron Wan-Bissaka kept Raheem Sterling quiet yet again, in Manchester United’s impressive 2-0 win against Manchester City. Wan-Bissaka hardly gave Sterling any space to operate in and was even effective going forward. The former Crystal Palace player made 8 tackles – more than any other player on the pitch, while also making 3 interceptions.
Allan Saint-Maximin
Newcastle United registered their second Premier League win of 2020 against Southampton, thanks to a goal by Allan Saint-Maximin in the 79th minute. The French winger troubled the Saints defence throughout the game, completing 11 dribbles in the match and also set up a few for his teammates who did not finish their chances. That was an important win for the Magpies as they were getting sucked into the relegation battle, which they seem to have escaped for the foreseeable future.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored