The five who made the biggest impression on us during today’s action.
Another Premier League Saturday has now drawn to a close, with Manchester City’s late rally at Villa Park enough for them to momentarily close the gap on leaders Chelsea, whilst Liverpool also returned to form after edging a 2-1 win over West Brom at Anfield.
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Having analysed the action, here are our five heroes from the day’s matches:
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
Despite Liverpool’s struggles during the early weeks of the Premier League season, midfielder Jordan Henderson tends to be a model of consistency, plowing a midfield furrow alongside an ever-changing partner, but his energy and neatness in possession rarely deserting him. Henderson came more to the fore during today’s vital win over West Brom, however, as one of the driving forces that pushed Liverpool into the ascendancy at Anfield before he was rewarded with the winning goal.
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
He’s done it again – just when we thought that Mike Ashley was ready to don his Grim Reaper costume and bundle Alan Pardew out of St. James’ Park, Papiss Cisse came up with another brace for his manager after doing the same just two weeks ago against Hull City. Cisse took his two goals at Swansea City well, after the Magpies had twice fallen behind, and may well have kept his hapless boss in a job for another week at least.
Ross Wallace (Burnley)
If Ross Wallace never scores another Premier League goal for Burnley, his last gasp free-kick to earn the Clarets a point at Leicester City this afternoon would stand as a fitting monument to a player with a fine left foot. Wallace’s dipping effort at the King Power Stadium was a perfect example of the direct free kick, at a moment when the pressure was really on Wallace to save his side.
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Yaya Toure was, for the most part, the same peripheral presence that he has been since the start of the season during Manchester City’s trip to Villa Park, but in the blink of an eye the Ivorian was able to show the world just what he is capable of. With time ticking away and City needing a goal in the West Midlands, with dropping more silly points not really an option considering Chelsea’s form, Toure scored a wonderful goal, bending a stunning effort around Brad Guzan.
Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
Boy did Sunderland need a win against Stoke City today after Gus Poyet’s side’s draw-filled start to the Premier League season. They got it in the end, largely thanks to the intervention of Steven Fletcher, whose two goals marked his return from a miserable period battling injuries and could also be the first shoot of recovery from Sunderland after a frustrating start.