RANKED: The 6 best players of Premier League Gameweek 20 | OneFootball

Just in case you required further proof, Gameweek 20 was on hand to show that nothing is a given in the Premier League.

After title hopefuls Arsenal and Chelsea dropped points away from home on Saturday, the world projected a Liverpool massacre as they welcome a slumping Manchester United team - potentially the worst of the Premier League era - to Anfield on Super Sunday.

However, Ruben Amorim's side offered more than mere competence on Merseyside. Their stark improvement perhaps caught the league leaders off guard as they hassled, harried and tortured Trent Alexander-Arnold in a more than just 2-2 draw.

The opening Premier League weekend of 2025 certainly didn't disappoint, and there were standout performances across the division. Here's six of the best.

6. Raul Jimenez (Fulham)

Jimenez kept his cool from the spot to earn Fulham a point against Ipswich / Clive Rose/GettyImages

Jimenez was quick to dismiss the significance of a point post-match, but the Cottagers would've succumbed at home to the relegation-threatened Ipswich Town if it wasn't for him.The hosts had been frustrated by a stubborn Ipswich block and some questionable officiating but found a route back into the contest when Harry Wilson was clipped in the box by Sam Morsy. Jimenez converted from the spot with aplomb. Ipswich's immediate response meant Fulham headed into the closing stages staring defeat in the face, but Jimenez was on hand to rescue a draw. The striker outwitted Leif Davis to win another penalty, and his second spot-kick was dispatched with even greater conviction.The Mexican has now taken ten Premier League penalties without missing - the third-best perfect record in the competition's history.

5. Erling Haaland (Man City)

Haaland scored a brace in Man City's win over West Ham / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Manchester City's prolonged malaise towards the end of 2024 has seen Haaland's once staggering FPL ownership dwindle to 30.4% with managers turning to midfielder Mohamed Salah as their most prized asset. However, with Haaland back among the goals and City threatening a resurgence, there's no doubt a couple of folk will reconsider bringing the Nordic machine back in. After finding the net at Leicester, Haaland scored his first Premier League brace since September in City's 4-1 thumping of West Ham. As is usally the case, Haaland's performance was defined by the quality of his finishing. The towering forward headed home with aplomb from a wicked cross to double the Cityzens' lead in the first-half before dinking a trademark effort over Alphonse Areola for his second - a sequence straight out of his record-breaking 2022/23 campaign.

4. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)

Mac Allister offered control amid the chaos / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages

Liverpool were caught off guard by Man Utd on Sunday, with the Red Devils benefitting from a six-day break between fixtures. A change of midfield pivot and a concerted effort from United's centre-backs to meet Liverpool's midfielders between the lines meant the Reds' superb engine room didn't have it all their own way. Arne Slot's side never seemed to have total control of the contest, even when they dominated territorially in the first half and took the lead in the second. Many players were unable to find their apex, but Mac Allister performed at the level we've come to expect of him. The Argentine provided serenity amid the chaos, with his subtle on-ball brilliance manifesting via sharp, first-time passes to change the dynamic of Liverpool's attacks and open up United's stubborn defensive structure. His metronomic work with the ball was complemented by shrewd space interpretation and relentless effort out of possession. He relished the battle with fellow South American Manuel Ugarte in the middle of the park.

3. Savinho (Man City)

Savinho produced his best performance in a City shirt against West Ham / Carl Recine/GettyImages

While capable of demonic ball carries and doubtlessly a canny operator in the box, Haaland isn't a striker who fashions openings for himself. Like many all-time greats, the Norwegian hitman is as good as his service allows. Against West Ham on Saturday, Haaland was the beneficiary of an outstanding Savinho performance. The Brazilian has predominantly been used in an inverted function down the right at the start of his City career, but Pep Guardiola has opted to change tack and deploy Savinho on his 'natural' flank for the past two games. The winger shone down the left for Girona last season, and Guardiola's switch is bringing the best out of the 20-year-old. After tying Vladimir Coufal up in knots and crossing wickedly for Haaland to head home, Savinho teed up the Norwegian's second goal having received possession infield on the halfway line. The Brazilian's threaded pass in behind was pinpoint, allowing his striker to finish. The winger has merely offered glimmers in sky blue thus far, but this was undoubtedly his best performance on English shores yet.

2. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

Fernandes' performance at Anfield was key in United earning a point / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages

Bruno Fernandes was suspended for United's messy display against Newcastle and initially struggled to find his groove upon his return to the starting XI on Sunday. The Red Devils captain was used as the key facilitator in United's frontline, and he played a major role in ensuring the visitors constantly got in behind down the left. However, there was some hesitancy when he entered the final third - a frustrating aspect of his performance which dissipated after he teed up Lisandro Martinez's opener with a cute reverse pass.After that, Fernandes was in total command. Amid the mayhem, United's playmaker operated at his own pace and dictated proceedings in tandem with Mac Allister. The Portuguese star hasn't always shown up on the big occasion for the Red Devils as of late, but this was a monster performance in the toughest of environments - especially in the second half. No Man Utd player has created more chances in a Premier League outing at Anfield than Fernandes' four since 2003/04.

Mbeumo certainly satisfied FPL owners / Warren Little/GettyImages

Bryan Mbeumo's evolution from Robin to Batman at Brentford has seen the Frenchman enjoy a career year on the goalscoring front in 2024/25. The Bees have been hamstrung by a dire away record this term, but Mbeumo and strike partner Yoane Wissa were on hand to ensure Thomas Frank's side secured their first Premier League win on their travels at Southampton. Brentford ran riot on the south coast thanks to yet another productive Mbeumo display. The versatile forward created five chances and was rewarded with a late assist having scored two goals himself to take his league tally for the season up to 13. The streets will be talking about this Mbeumo x Wissa partnership for years to come.