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Premier League Team of the Week - Haaland, Partey, Maddison

Sports Mole selects its Premier League Team of the Week, including Erling Braut Haaland, Thomas Partey and James Maddison.

The Premier League made its return after the international break with an enthralling set of fixtures, as Arsenal continue to lead the way at the top of the table after besting North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-1.

Manchester City ensured that they remained on the coattails of the Gunners with their own derby success - 6-3 against Manchester United - while Brighton & Hove Albion's new era under Roberto De Zerbi kicked off with a 3-3 draw versus Liverpool at Anfield.

Graham Potter's first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea ended in a 2-1 triumph versus Crystal Palace, while Newcastle United taught Fulham a footballing lesson in a 4-1 thrashing.

A 2-0 loss to West Ham United spelled the end of Bruno Lage's time in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the pressure was eased on Brendan Rodgers after Leicester City ran out 4-0 victors against a hapless Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, Brentford's showdown with Bournemouth ended goalless - as did Leeds United vs. Aston Villa - while Everton's eye-catching spell continued with a 2-1 win at Southampton.

Here, Sports Mole selects its Premier League Team of the Week for the latest round of fixtures.


DEFENCE

Illan Meslier in action for Leeds United on October 2, 2022© Reuters

Leeds number one Illan Meslier was quick to apologise to the Whites fanbase after their goalless draw with Aston Villa, but the young Frenchman would also hold his hands up - literally - to keep Jesse Marsch's side in the contest, making six saves to preserve a point and a clean sheet.

England boss Gareth Southgate did not make many friends in Liverpool when claiming that Kieran Trippier's all-around game was better than that of Trent Alexander-Arnold's, but the Newcastle man certainly enjoyed the finer weekend, playing in the ball for Callum Wilson's opener while also making three key passes and two tackles in an assured display.

Over in North London, Arsenal prospect William Saliba was not fazed by having to deal with the likes of Harry Kane in the North London derby, as he made the most successful passes and most recoveries (11) during a display of steadfast composure well beyond his years.

Finally, Chelsea veteran Thiago Silva was arguably fortunate not to see red for a handball against Crystal Palace, and he took full advantage of his reprieve - heading the ball down for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to fire home while also seeing 15 of his 18 long ball attempts come off.


MIDFIELD

Leicester City's James Maddison scores against Nottingham Forest on October 3, 2022© Reuters

We were truly spoiled for choice when it came to stellar midfield performances this weekend, and there just had to be a spot for Newcastle's Miguel Almiron, who came away from Craven Cottage with a brace to his name - including a sumptuous volley which could arguably be a goal-of-the-season contender.

Arsenal fans can reel off a plethora of times when Thomas Partey attempted a strike from distance and it ended up in Row Z, but the Ghanaian got one right this time - curling home a wonderful first-time effort into the top corner against Tottenham and posting a 95% pass accuracy in front of the home crowd.

Spectacular strikes were also on the menu as Leicester picked up their first win of the season over Nottingham Forest, as James Maddison sent a clear message to Southgate with a fortunate deflected effort, a pinpoint free-kick, and an assist for Patson Daka's cheeky flick in a display that had it all.

Over on the left-hand side, Everton were largely indebted to Dwight McNeil for their South Coast success over Southampton, as the ex-Burnley man came up with a thunderous finish at the back stick and also created two big chances for his teammates on the day.


ATTACK

Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates after the match on October 2, 2022© Reuters

Brighton boss De Zerbi revealed after the draw with Liverpool that he challenged Leandro Trossard to make the net ripple more often, and the Belgian heeded his manager's advice to become only the third-ever player to score a Premier League hat-trick against the Reds at Anfield, following in the footsteps of Peter Ndlovu and Andrey Arshavin to leave the Kop shell-shocked.

Trossard was not the only man in blue to add a match ball to his shelf at home, as Phil Foden silenced any critics he may have with his own treble on the biggest occasion of them all for a Citizens attacker, but even he was outshone by one effervescent Norwegian at the Etihad Stadium.

Any lingering doubts over Erling Braut Haaland's ability to cut the mustard in the Premier League have been well and truly extinguished, as the 22-year-old scored his third hat-trick in just eight Premier League matches to put Man United to the sword - the next quickest to three hat-tricks was Michael Owen in 48 games - and he also used his minimal touches to set up two of Foden's goals to the delight of Fantasy Football managers everywhere.


SPORTS MOLE'S PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK

PL TOTW GW8

Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week (3-4-3): Meslier; Trippier, Saliba, Silva; Almiron, Partey, Maddison, McNeil; Foden, Haaland, Trossard


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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1311112681834
2Arsenal1374226141225
3Chelsea1374226141225
4Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton136522217523
5Manchester CityMan City137242219323
6Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest136431613322
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1362528141420
8Brentford136252623320
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd135441713419
10Fulham135441818019
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle135441414019
12Aston Villa135441922-319
13Bournemouth135352019118
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham134361724-715
15Everton132561021-1111
16Leicester CityLeicester132471627-1110
17Crystal Palace131661118-79
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves132382232-109
19Ipswich TownIpswich131661324-119
20Southampton1312101025-155


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