Premier League Matchday 2 — Team of the Week (22–25 Aug 2025)

Formation: 4-3-3
This XI celebrates the standout performers across all ten fixtures, combining match-winning impact with tactical influence.

Football formation graphic displaying a 4-3-3 lineup featuring highlighted players: Pickford, Muñoz, Chalobah, Timber, Cucurella, Palhinha, Cullen, Fernández, Pedro, Grealish, and Gyökeres.

🧤 Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford (Everton) – 8.5/10
Saved Danny Welbeck’s penalty on the grand opening of Everton’s new stadium and commanded his area with authority. His stop preserved the clean sheet and sealed a dream debut at Hill Dickinson.

🛡️ Defence

RB – Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace) – 7.5/10
Bombed forward tirelessly and delivered the cross for Sarr’s opener against Forest. His width stretched the visitors all game.

CB – Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 8/10
Capped Chelsea’s five-goal thrashing of West Ham with a clinical strike. Solid defensively and a threat at set pieces.

CB – Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) – 9/10
An unlikely brace from centre-back highlighted his aerial dominance and anticipation. Stepped up after a year lost to injury — a symbol of Arsenal’s strength.

LB – Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) – 8/10
Won the flick-on that set up João Pedro’s equaliser and provided constant overlaps. A complete left-back display.

🎯 Midfield

João Palhinha (Tottenham) – 9/10
Bossed the Etihad. Broke up play, shielded Spurs’ back four, and scored the second with a powerful finish. A true enforcer.

Josh Cullen (Burnley) – 99/10
Captain’s performance. Scored a beauty to open the scoring vs Sunderland, then split the defence with a sublime assist for the clincher.

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – 8.5/10
Pulled strings from midfield, timed his runs into the box perfectly, and got on the scoresheet. Controlled tempo and transitions.

🔥 Attack

RW – João Pedro (Chelsea) – 99/10
Chelsea’s star man in their 5–1 win. Scored the equaliser, assisted Neto, and constantly found space between West Ham’s lines.

LW – Jack Grealish (Everton) – 9/10
Looked reborn in blue. Two assists, clever dribbling, and leadership in Everton’s historic stadium opener. Fans saw glimpses of the old Grealish.

ST – Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) – 9/10
Announced himself at the Emirates with a brace. Combined physicality and pace to bully Leeds’ back line. Could have had a hat-trick.

🌟 Player of the Week: Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool)

Not in the XI but its impossible to ignore. The 16-year-old winger came off the bench to score a 90+10’ winner at Newcastle in a 3–2 thriller. Proof that Liverpool’s academy pipeline is alive and kicking.

A young Liverpool player celebrates after scoring a last-minute goal, running towards the crowd with excitement. Other players from both teams react in the background.

🏟️ Honourable Mentions (Bench)

Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham) – Crucial saves early vs City.
Micky van de Ven (Spurs) – Composed under pressure, key blocks.
Dango Ouattara (Brentford) – Dream debut, match-winner vs Villa.
James Garner (Everton) – Thunderbolt for 2–0, tireless pressing.
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – Scored from a corner, bossed midfield duels.
Brennan Johnson (Spurs) – Composed finish for Spurs’ opener.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Forest) – Impact equaliser off the bench.

👉 This XI shows how London clubs dominated (Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs all heavily represented), while Everton’s new-era energy and Liverpool’s youthful heroics added extra spice.