Premier League TOTW gameweek 22: Alexander-Arnold returns to form and Kluivert punishes Newcastle | OneFootball

Premier League matchweek 22 proved to be an important one in the title race.

Liverpool left it late to pick up three points away at Brentford, with Darwin Nunez scoring twice in second-half stoppage time to deliver a 2-0 win. That was then followed up by Arsenal throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against Aston Villa. That leaves Liverpool six points clear of the Gunners and Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.

At the other end of the table, Tottenham and Man Utd continue to flirt with an unlikely relegation battle, with the former losing 3-2 on their last-ever trip to Goodison Park, while the latter were beaten 3-1 at home by Brighton. The two sides are eight and 10 points clear of the drop zone, respectively, and while few actually expect them to get dragged into the dogfight, supporters are losing patience — and fingernails to bite on.

As you can see, it was an eventful weekend. So, which players lit up the Premier League? Here’s our team of the week based on the Squawka Score, with only players to clock up more than 45 minutes considered.

GK: Bernd Leno (Fulham)

Fulham returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory away at Leicester City on Saturday courtesy of goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore. However, they also needed a bit of help from their goalkeeper, with Bernd Leno making five saves to the tune of 0.7 goals prevented — more than any other goalkeeper this gameweek. His three diving saves was also a league-high, while he made eight recoveries and clocked up an 84% pass completion rate.

Honourable mention: Alisson: 79%, made more saves (7) than any other goal Premier League goalkeeper in matchweek 22.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Would you believe Trent Alexander-Arnold had provided just one assist in his last 10 games across all competitions before the weekend? Well, the maestro is back. Alexander-Arnold notched the assist for Nunez’s first goal late on away at Brentford, as part of a performance that also saw him play three successful passes into the Bees’ penalty area — the most of any full-back in the league in matchweek 22. Alexander-Arnold was also the only full-back to provide an intentional assist and help his team keep a clean sheet.

Honourable mention: Reece James: 71%

CB: Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)

Back at Chelsea after returning from his loan at Crystal Palace, Trevoh Chalobah was sensational on Monday night and reminded everyone why he’s still such a highly-rated player. The 25-year-old created a joint-league-high two big chances — including one to assist Noni Madueke to put the Blues 3-1 up against Wolves — while he won 80% of his aerial duels, made three ball-winning interceptions and completed seven clearances. Slotted straight back in at Stamford Bridge.

Honourable mention: Marc Guehi: 72%

CB: Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth absolutely demolished Newcastle at St. James’ Park in Saturday’s early kick-off but while the attacking display from the Cherries was sensational, credit must also be given to their defence. Dean Huijsen was particularly impressive, with the Spanish-Dutch teenager ranking first this gameweek for tackles won (3, 100%) and second for blocks (4), while also making seven recoveries and four clearances — including a goalline clearance.

Honourable mention: Joachim Andersen: 70%

LB: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)

Antonee Robinson has often been lauded for his attacking output this season but on Saturday, he only created one chance against Leicester. Instead, the US international caught the eye with his defensive work, with no full-back winning possession more in his defensive third than him (7) this gameweek. He also made the joint-most ball-winning interceptions (3), along with two ball-winning tackles, three clearances and 10 recoveries. And that’s without mentioning an 80% success rate on his five aerial duels.

Honourable mention: Milos Kerkez: 73%

CM: Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)

There haven’t been many times this season where Manchester City have impressed without Rodri and it’s no surprise that one of their best performances of the season came when their Rodri stand-in was at the top of his game.

Mateo Kovacic weighed in with a goal and an assist as City destroyed Ipswich Town 6-0 at Portman Road. But more than that, the Croatian also won two tackles, four of his six ground duels and created the joint-most big chances of the weekend (2).

CM: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)

Ryan Christie was an absolute machine midfield for Bournemouth on Saturday. The Scotland international won a ridiculous, match-high 14 combined ground and aerial duels, while also making nine tackles (winning five of them), six recoveries, three interceptions and five clearances. All that defensive output and he was dribbled past just once. And he still had time to attempt three shots and create one big chance.

In terms of players who may get overlooked from the weekend, Christie was one of the best in the Premier League.

Honourable mention: Sander Berge: 73%

RW: Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)

Yankuba Minteh got Brighton going against Man Utd on Sunday with a goal after just five minutes, while he also set up Kaoru Mitoma to restore their lead in the second half — one of two big chances created. But more than that, his work rate helped stifle Man Utd, with Minteh winning all three of his tackles, while making two recoveries and one interception. The Red Devils couldn’t cope with him on either side of the ball.

AM: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)

With a hat-trick and an assist, Justin Kluivert was directly involved in all four of Bournemouth’s goals in their win over Newcastle. There simply wasn’t a player in the Premier League better than him this matchweek. Even with all that dismantling of the Magpies’ backline, Kluivert still had time to make two clearances and seven recoveries to keep Bournemouth ticking over without the ball. A stunning display.

An honourable mention must come here for Phil Foden, who scored 81% with his two goals and an assist at Ipswich, although he was harder to place as he drifted between the wing and No.10 positions.

LW: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)

Jeremy Doku actually lost the most duels (8) of any player on the pitch in Ipswich 0-6 Man City. However, three of those were in the air, which is not his speciality, while he attempted six dribbles and managed to complete four of them. The Belgian helped himself to a goal and an assist in the away day riot, while also creating three chances — including two big chances — and making two tackles, winning one of them.

ST: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goalscoring drought is a thing of the past, with the Frenchman now netting four in his last three Premier League appearances — after managing only four in his first 19 games of the season.

Mateta scored twice as Palace won 2-0 away at London rivals West Ham on Saturday, while also creating one big chance and playing four passes into the final third. He only won one of his seven aerial duels, but that didn’t matter as he did the damage elsewhere.

Darwin Nunez deserves a special mention with his two late goals against Brentford but he only played 25 minutes.