PL Matchday 3: Top 5 Players Including Man City & Newcastle United Stars

Matchday 3 of the 2021-22 Premier League had some controversy, a lot of good football, and closely fought games. The marquee match of the week was between title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, which was an exciting affair, ending in a 1-1 draw. Manchester City brushed aside Arsenal with a 5-0 win at the Etihad, while Tottenham made it 3 wins in 3 and sit top of the table heading into the first international break of the season.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 players on Matchday 3 of the Premier League

Conor Gallagher

Chelsea’s academy has produced some fine players in recent years and one player who could join that list is Conor Gallagher. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Crystal Palace and scored twice to help the Eagles come from behind to secure a point at West Ham.

The midfielder’s first was a well-controlled shot in a crowded penalty box, where he showed great awareness and movement. His second saw him control it better, swivel, and then a powerful right-foot shot to beat Fabianski in the Hammers goal.

Ferran Torres

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has attacking riches at his disposal and his attackers put Arsenal to the sword on Saturday. Spanish youngster Ferran Torres started centrally as a false 9, and scored twice and set up another goal. The youngster scored City’s second goal of the game, pouncing on a deep cross and slotting it coolly. He also scored the final goal of the game, this time perfectly timing his run to a head it into goal.

Guardiola could very well use Torres as a striker having failed to land their top targets Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, and if Saturday was any indication, he should be a success in that role.

David de Gea

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has come under criticism in recent years due to his poor form and high-profile gaffes. The Spaniard, though, banished those memories of him on Sunday as he made a few key saves against Wolves in Matchday 3.

The hosts dominated the game in the first half as the pacey and tricky duo of Adama Traore and Trincao ran at will at the United defence. de Gea made a key save in the first half with his legs from a Jimenez strike. He then made the save of the match when he blocked Saiss’ header and then the rebound.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Chelsea defended superbly against Liverpool despite going down to 10 men in the first half. Captain and right-back Cesar Azpilicueta was in splendid form as he ushered his defence superbly and made a few key clearances for his side as well. The Spaniard, alongside Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, kept the Liverpool attack quiet in the second half.

Azpilicueta, in particular, made a vital clearance from a Sadio Mane shot to help the Blues secure a point.

Allan Saint-Maximin

Newcastle United secured their first points of the season this past weekend when they held Southampton to a 2-2 draw in Matchday 3. The point helped the Magpies get out of the bottom 3, but Steve Bruce’s men could very well have taken home all three points.

Newcastle allowed a late penalty, while their best player on the night, Allan Saint-Maximin, could have scored more and set up another goal or two. The Frenchman scored a stoppage time goal, which he probably thought was the winner, before the Saints equalised late in the game. Saint-Maximin was a huge threat throughout the game with his speed and dribbling.