Another weekend of Premier League action has passed, hotting up various battles up and down the division. Much of the nation’s attention was on the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium but a host of vital league matches took place.
Arsenal and Liverpool leapfrogged the FA Cup-focused Manchester City with away wins at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham respectively but Pep Guardiola’s side can respond as they play Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
Aston Villa earned a huge three points with a 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth, moving six points clear of fellow Champions League chasers Tottenham Hotspur. Unai Emery’s men should’ve been knackered after going the distance in Lille but they looked energised and dynamic.
It was raining goals near the bottom of the standings as Burnley thrashed Sheffield United 4-1 at Bramall Lane and Brentford battered Luton Town 5-1 at Kenilworth Road. There was an important victory for Everton, too, as they squeezed past Nottingham Forest 2-0 in a game dominated by VAR controversy.
But arguably the weekend’s biggest surprise saw Crystal Palace’s tonk West Ham United. Oliver Glasner’s side beat the Hammers 5-2, with goals from Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta. The three points effectively confirmed the Eagles’ place in the Premier League for next season.
Countless players impressed over the round of fixtures just gone that it would be difficult to pick just 11 to form a team of the week. WhoScored’s rating system makes it easier for us, though, with our only responsibility being choosing the formation. With that in mind, here’s a full run-through in a 4-2-3-1 shape.
1. Arijanet Muric (Burnley) - 8.39
Couldn’t quite keep a clean sheet but made an impressive 10 saves and four claims in the Clarets’ stunning 4-1 victory away at Sheffield United.
2. Lorenz Assignon (Burnley) - 8.71
Scored one and assisted another at right-back in the Clarets’ huge win at Bramall Lane. Also made five big clearances.
3. Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) - 7.61
Netted his side's third and won a huge six aerials as Brentford thrashed Luton 5-1 away from home.
4. James Tarkowski (Everton) - 7.54
Vital to Everton’s important 2-0 win over Forest as he won five aerial duels, made four clearances and contributed one last-man tackle.