Firmino the star as Liverpool attack and Chelsea defence dominate team of the week
Title chasing pair Chelsea and Liverpool are the dominant duo in the Premier League team of the week as the heavyweights have three players each feature in the best XI following respective wins over Brentford and Watford. Players from Leicester, Aston Villa and West Ham also make the cut following the first round of games after the international break.
Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) - 7.94
The first of three Chelsea players to make the Premier League team of the week, Edouard Mendy was in inspiring form as the Blues beat Brentford 1-0 in west London. Mendy made six saves in the narrow win, including a stunning stop to deny Christian Norgaard in the dying embers, as the 29-year-old kicks off the best XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.94.
Javier Manquillo (Newcastle) - 7.49
Newcastle may have fallen to a 3-2 loss to Tottenham on Sunday, but Javier Manquillo still did enough to feature at right-back in the team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 7.49. The Spaniard provided the assist, his second of the season, for Callum Wilson's opener, that coming from his only key pass in the game at St. James' Park. Six tackles and one interception meant he was one Newcastle player able to leave the field of play with his head held high.
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham) - 7.79
Angelo Ogbonna picked the perfect time to score his first league goal of the season as he bagged the winner in West Ham's 1-0 victory at Everton. The 33-year-old found a way past Jordan Pickford with one of two shots at Goodison Park and was solid in possession as he found a teammate with 94.2% of his 52 attempted passes to help land a WhoScored rating of 7.79.
Joining Ogbonna in defence is Chelsea's Malang Sarr, who excelled for the Blues on his first ever Premier League appearance. The youngster put in a resolute performance in a clean-sheet attaining display, making 10 clearances, five interceptions and three tackles as Sarr played his part in their 1-0 win at the Brentford Community Stadium, landing a WhoScored rating of 7.95.
Ben Chilwell is the third and final Chelsea player to feature in the team of the week as he scored for the third game running for club and country. Having struggled to force his way into Thomas Tuchel's plans in the early weeks of the season, Chilwell has become a key man for Chelsea of late, with his goal on Saturday coming from his only shot of the game. The 24-year-old was solid defensively, too, chipping in with eight clearances and four tackles to return a WhoScored rating of 8.11.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 9.24
Mohamed Salah makes the Premier League team of the week for the second gameweek running after another superb display for Liverpool. The Egyptian had a direct hand in two of their five goals in their win at Watford, providing the assist for Sadio Mane's opener before getting on the scoresheet himself nine minutes into the second half. Those came from respective returns of two key passes and five shots, while an additional three successful dribbles helped the 29-year-old to a WhoScored rating of 9.24.
John McGinn (Aston Villa) - 8.94
While Aston Villa blew to a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Midlands rivals Wolves on Saturday, midfielder John McGinn put in a superb showing for the Villans, scoring one and assisting another at Villa Park. Four key passes, three successful dribbles and two shots highlighted McGinn's excellent work on the ball, while off it, the Scot put in a solid shift, making four tackles and one interception, and despite being on the losing side this weekend, the Scot is a worthy inclusion in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 8.94.
Youri Tielemans (Leicester) - 8.59
Joining McGinn in the middle of the park is Leicester star Youri Tielemans. The Foxes midfielder scored his second Premier League goal of the season in the 4-2 win over Manchester United, that strike coming from one of four shots. The 24-year-old was unfortunate not to add an assist as he made three key passes, while three dribbles was enough to secure a spot in the side with a WhoScored rating of 8.59.
The second Liverpool player in the side, Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the Reds' thumping 5-0 win at Watford on Saturday. Mane's fifth league goal of the season came from one of four shots at Vicarage Road, while the Senegal star put in a shift off the ball, too, as he made one tackle, one interception and one clearance to come away from the game with a WhoScored rating of 8.08.
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) - 10.0
With a perfect WhoScored 10 rating, Roberto Firmino is our Premier League player of the week. The Brazilian had a direct hand in four of Liverpool's five goals in their resounding victory at Watford on Saturday, becoming the second player to score a hat-trick in a Premier League match this season. The Brazilian hit the back of the net with all three shots at Watford and provided the assist for Mohamed Salah's stunning goal, that coming from one of three key passes.
Nathan Redmond (Southampton) - 8.33
Completing the XI this week is Southampton's Nathan Redmond. The 27-year-old provided the assist for Armando Broja's winner against Leeds at St. Mary's, as only Bruno Fernandes (8) made more key passes than Redmond (6) in gameweek eight. The Saints star was clearly in a confident mood on Saturday as he mustered five shots and completed four dribbles to partner Firmino on the frontline with a WhoScored rating of 8.33.
