Who ever claimed that the Premier League is too predictable? Although the early season goal frenzy has slowed ever so slightly in the last week or two, the league took another interesting turn in Matchweek 6 when this became the first top flight season since 1967-68 where every single team has registered at least one loss from the opening six fixtures. The surprising stat really drives home the point that this could be anyone’s season – and this weekend saw more players writing themselves into the Premier League history books.
Stars in Premier League – Gameweek 6
1. Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
It was evident how much Chelsea suffered without Edouard Mendy against Southampton last week, and his return to the side was crucial in the Blues battling their way to a hard-won point at Old Trafford. The Senegal keeper won his personal duel against Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, making several fine saves to keep the Red Devils at bay. He has now enjoyed the best start by a goalkeeper in a Chelsea shirt since Petr Cech back in 2004.
2. Defender: Stuart Dallas (Leeds United)
Leeds’s dazzling start to the season continued when they downed high flying Aston Villa on Friday night. Stalwart right back Stuart Dallas played a big part in the victory, keeping the in-form Jack Grealish at bay and helping his side to transition defence into attack quickly and effectively. In these early days of Leeds United’s top flight return, Dallas has been as impressive as anybody in the Yorkshire side’s string of excellent results.
3. Midfielder: James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Whilst Leeds were busy eliminating Aston Villa’s unbeaten record, Southampton were doing the same to Everton, with an outstanding performance at St Mary’s. Captain James Ward-Prowse opened his account for the season with a thunderous shot across Jordan Pickford, and controlled the midfield superbly against a previously unflappable Everton side. Things are looking up on the South Coast, and James Ward-Prowse is a key reason why.
4. Forward: Patrick Bamford (Leeds United)
The performance of the weekend came from none other than Leeds United’s number 9, Patrick Bamford. Despite a number of questions about his ability just a few short weeks ago, Bamford has proven his doubters wrong in some style, and continued to do so with a magnificent hat-trick at Villa Park to give the Whites a fantastic win. With six Premier League goals already to his name this season, who knows how high he could go?
5. Manager: Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds United)
At the risk of becoming a Leeds-heavy article this week, it’s hard not to admire the amazing job that Marcelo Bielsa is doing at Elland Road this season. The emphatic victory at Villa Park was the latest scalp in a brilliant few weeks for Bielsa and his side, and to dispatch the league’s leading defence in the manner that they did was simply brilliant. The Argentine’s legendary status amongst the Leeds faithful continues to grow week by week, and with good reason too.
