Premier League TOTW Gameweek 8: Everton and Aston Villa rewarded for wins | OneFootball

Is Josko Gvardiol the best left-back in the Premier League right now?

The Croatian started life as a centre-back for Dinamo Zagreb but was eventually pushed out to the left. He then switched between the two positions for Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, though mainly playing centre-back for the latter.

But at Man City, Gvardiol has mainly been utilised as a left-back with a lot of success. This season he’s scored two goals and six shots on target, more than any other defender in the Premier League. He has also attempted (235) and completed (209) the most final third passes among defenders in the division.

One of Gvardiol’s goals came against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, as Man City came from behind to win. He is the defending champions’ only representative in our Team of the Week, with Everton and Aston Villa the two teams to have more than one player.

Aston Villa beat Fulham while Everton climbed the table with a 2-0 win over Ipswich, keeping another clean sheet. The Merseyside representation is increased to three with a Liverpool man starring in their win over Chelsea.

We’ve used our Squawka Score to determine the 11 picks, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.

GK: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

This was a close one, with Bart Verbruggen and Matz Sels scoring the same. But the Brighton shot-stopper just edges it. Both goalkeepers kept a clean sheet, but Verbruggen prevented 0.91 goals against Newcastle, compared to Sels’ 0.36 vs Crystal Palace. The Brighton shot-stopper lived up to the name with six saves in total, five of which were from shots inside the box. He also completed 15 long passes.

Honourable mention: Matz Sels (89%)

RB: Ashley Young (Everton)

Everton kept their second clean sheet in as many Premier League games as they beat Ipswich Town 2-0 this weekend. Ashley Young played his part, protecting the flank. The 39-year-old won two tackles and made one interception retaining possession as Everton faced just two shots on target. At the other end of the pitch, Young had one shot on target himself and 11 final third entries. If he keeps performing at this level, Young may get his dream of playing alongside his son Tyler — currently at Peterborough United.

Honourable mention: Kenny Tete (66%)

CB: Michael Keane (Everton)

Our second Everton defender, Michael Keane was a rock at the heart of the Toffees’ backline. This was more like it for an Everton defence that had been so strong last season. Keane scored a goal, a wonderful strike at the near post, beating Arijanet Muric with pure power. But, of course, Keane did his bit defensively. The Englishman made seven clearances, one block and one interception in the box, alongside won tackle won. He also had a retention rate of 92.86%.

Honourable mention: Ethan Pinnock (70%)

CB: Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth were excellent in their win over Arsenal, keeping the Gunners’ attack at bay with their clean sheet. Marcos Senesi was at the heart of their rearguard, making five clearances and winning five aerial duels. Senesi was also pivotal on the floor. The Argentine won four tackles and won possession four times in the defensive third, with a 100% ground duel success rate.

Honourable mention: James Tarkowski (70%)

LB: Josko Gvardiol (Man City)

Josko Gvardiol continues to shine for Man City. The Croatian took some time to find his feet, but he has done so back out on the left side of their defence. He got himself among the goals once again this weekend, netting the equaliser against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Gvardiol was very attacking against Wolves with three successful passes into the penalty area, the most among full-backs this weekend. He also had 14 final third entries and six touches in the opposition box.

Honourable mention: Lewis Hall (67%)

CM: Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

Curtis Jones was integral to Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Chelsea. The midfielder won the penalty for Liverpool’s opener and then scored the winner, just a few minutes after Chelsea had equalised. But he also helped keep Liverpool in control. Jones made an interception in the box that looked to have stopped a Cole Palmer goal, and won two tackles. He also won possession twice in the attacking third and had two shots on target overall.

Honourable mention: Dejan Kulusevski (65%)

CM: Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)

Youri Tielemans has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season. And it was another good performance in the double pivot alongside Amadou Onana. Against Fulham, Tielemans completed 10 passes into the final third, the most of any midfielder in the Premier League this weekend. He also had 13 final third entries.

Honourable mention: Casemiro (67%)

RW: Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester)

Facundo Buonanotte got Leicester City’s comeback against Southampton underway, scoring in the 64th minute. It was a strong performance from the 19-year-old, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion. On top of his goal, Buonanotte had a non-penalty xG of 0.99, with six penalty area entries and four touches in the opposition box. He also won possession once in the attacking third with four take-ons completed. No player completed more take-ons than Buonanotte across the Premier League this weekend.

Honourable mention: Mohamed Salah (70%)

AM: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Another player to start the comeback for their side, Morgan Rogers equalised for Aston Villa in their eventual 3-1 win over Fulham. The goal came in the ninth minute, just four minutes after Fulham had taken the lead. And it came with Rogers’ only shot on target in the match. The Englishman overperformed his xG by 0.47 against Fulham, while also posting an xA of 0.19. Rogers also had six touches in the opposition box and completed 100% of his attempted take-ons.

Honourable mention: Bruno Fernandes (62%)

LW: Alejandro Garnacho (Man United)

There’s obviously something about starting comebacks and scoring highly. Alejandro Garnacho equalised for Manchester United shortly after half-time in their 2-1 win over Brentford. He was a menace against the Bees, with 10 touches in the opposition box and five shots on target — three more than any other player in the Premier League this weekend. He also completed two take-ons and had an xG overperformance of 0.58.

Honourable mention: Iliman Ndiaye (71%)

ST: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)

Chris Wood continues to excel at Nottingham Forest. The New Zealand striker scored the only goal in their win over Crystal Palace, striking from outside the box. It was one of two shots on target from four efforts in total, with an xG overperformance of 0.2. Wood was tough to beat in the air with four aerial duels won, which helped offer Nottingham Forest a reprieve. He also had four touches in the opposition box.

Honourable mention: Rasmus Hojlund (73%)

How do Squawka player ratings work?

Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.

We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.