It was another intriguing week with many points to ponder upon in the Premier League, right from Manchester United’s phenomenal win over Leicester City to Watford’s incomprehensive display against the newcomers Burnley. Some players dazzled with their notable performances, and here are our top five picks from game week six.
Alexis Sánchez
In Arsenal’s stunning 3-0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, Alexis Sánchez alongside Mesut Özil and Theo Walcott stole the show with their speed, skill, creativity and audacity. The Chilean, however, led from the front by burying a neat finish as he capitalised on Gary Cahill’s defensive error and then unselfishly assisted the German World Cup winner to seal the deal for the Gunners.
It was tremendously tough for the Chelsea defence to handle Alexis who plied his trade as the central striker, which is a new role he is handed lately. Slowly but surely, the 27-year-old is taking over the role of a leader in Arsène Wenger’s side in the attacking zone, something that lacked post Robin Van Persie’s exit.
Juan Mata
José Mourinho must have silenced the ‘Football Einsteins’, at least for now. The repercussions of successive dismal performances and the zeal to silence the critics blended quite well for the Red Devils who ran riot against the defending champions Leicester City and bagged a comprehensive 4-1 win. The star of the show, however, was Juan Mata who was chalked into his favoured no. 10 role and dazzled to no end.
The Spaniard, who has been overlooked by the Mourinho time and again, was orchestrating the midfield, roaming freely, finding space for his teammates, splendid work-rate, making smart moves with the ball and doing the thinking work for his side up front. A goal and an assist to his name, Mata has once again proved to the manager why he should not be taken for granted.
Michael Keane
Former Manchester United defender Michael Keane inspired Burnley to a 2-0 win over Watford at the Turf Moor, starring in the game at both ends of the pitch. Keane handed the Clarets their second goal as he headed the ball into the back of the net in a very confident fashion, and was constantly active at the back whenever he was tried and tested.
Undoubtedly, Keane brings an X-factor to Sean Dyche’s side and it would not be surprising to see a big club knocking Burnley’s door for his signature very soon.
Heung-Min Son
No Kane? No problem.
Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t seem to be baffled with the absence of Harry Kane, particularly owing to the fact that he has a certain Heung-Min Son at his disposal. The South Korean international has been in sublime form ever since returning from the Rio Olympics and bagged a brace against Middlesbrough at the Riverside. Son undertook the responsibility of providing the attacking tooth up front for the Lilywhites and catered to that with relative ease.
James Milner
When Milner started as the left-back against Hull City, he resembled a guy at least ten years younger than him. Steaming down the left with sheer enthusiasm and charisma, he was a threat from the left flank continuously, which allowed Phillipe Coutinho to drop inside and dictate the play.
Further, the Englishman dispatched a couple of well-taken penalties which were too precise for Marshall to stop, thus summing up a perfect a perfect day for himself as well as for his side.
