Team of week 29: Jesus back in style, Aguerd shines, Manchester City stars dominate

Manchester City rolled over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in a complete performance which led to three of their players featuring in the team of the week, here are the other top performers of matchday 29.

Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)

Chelsea had eight shots on target but somehow lost 2-0 to Aston Villa who had five shots in total, two on target and that is simply down to one man, Emiliano Martinez.

The World Cup winner was in inspired form, making seven saves including six from inside the box and two high claims in a game that ultimately sealed Graham Potter’s fate of unemployment.

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)

Newcastle beat Manchester United in one of the most completely Premier League performances of the season and a key component of that was Kieran Trippier.

The right fullback assisted the second goal for Callum Wilson, couped with five clearances and two interceptions with a game-high 83 touches.

Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United)

Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd scored his first goal of the season for West Ham with a towering header which also turned out to be the match-winner against Southampton.

The 27-year-old also managed four clearances and two tackles including 40/48 passes completed. 

Michael Keane (Everton)

In the spirit of goalscoring centre-backs, Michael Keane fired his way into the Team of the Week in rather spectacular fashion in the last game of the matchday.

Everton were a goal down, heading towards a home defeat to Tottenham when Michael Keane fired home a 90th-minute equaliser from 30 yards out to seal a 1-1 draw.

Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)

Ben Chilwell was on the losing side on Saturday against Aston Villa but was probably the only Chelsea player who could hold his head high on the night.

The English left-back provided a potent attacking threat for the Blues with 74 touches and a 90% pass accuracy including two passes.

John McGinn (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa only had five shots in total against Chelsea, John McGinn was responsible for two of those, both from long range one of which hit the bar in the first half and the other a stunning long-range goal in the second half to seal the 2-0 win.

The Scotsman also completed all four of his dribble attempts and put in a solid shift defensively with four tackles.

Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)

Granit Xhaka rounded off the scoring for Arsenal in a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Leeds United to cap off another solid midfield display.

The Swiss international completed 94% of his passes, including one key pass and a 100% long ball completion rate.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

It was the Manchester City show in the early kickoff on Saturday as the Cityzens absolutely ran through Liverpool in a 4-1 victory thanks in large portions to the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian maestro scored one and assisted another with 89 touches and five key passes.

Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)

Another Manchester City star who inflicted pain on Liverpool, Mahrez did not score but was one of the best players on the pitch.

The Algerian had 92 touches and played six key passes with 100% accuracy and had Andy Robertson on skates the entire match.

Jack Grealish (Manchester City)

Arguably the man of the match against Liverpool, Jack Grealish put up a performance for the ages that could pass as his best in blue so far.

With 54 completed of his 60 attempted passes at a 90% accuracy rate, he also won six of eight ground duels and a 100% dribble success rate.

Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)

Gabriel Jesus only played an hour against Leeds United but the Brazilian showed Arsenal what they had been missing with two goals.

In his first Premier League start since November 2022, Jesus won a penalty and duly converted it in the first half to open the scoring for Arsenal and then scored the third goal of the game just before getting substituted.