Premier League MVP, matchday three: Allan Saint-Maximin dazzles as Newcastle hold Manchester City

Total times read this article : 5

As Arsenal make it three wins from three with a 3-0 victory at Bournemouth and Leeds stunned Chelsea by the same scoreline, the Premier League provided yet more entertainment and upsets as matchday three played out.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace came from behind to defeat Aston Villa, Fulham won a five-goal London derby thriller against Brentford and Newcastle and Manchester City produced arguably the game of the season so far. 

Spurs also won as Harry Kane became the Premier League’s leading goalscorer for a single club, while there was a sting in the tail as Manchester United finally had lift-off under Erik ten Hag thanks to a rousing 2-1 win over an off-colour and injury-hit Liverpool.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus won our MVP award on matchday two and Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams took the Under-21 prize. This week we have two new faces to take the plaudits. 

MVP: Allan Saint-Maximin

When Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan struck in the fifth minute of their match against Newcastle on Sunday, many would have expected the Premier League champions to have had an easy time of it for the rest of the afternoon. 

Instead, the Magpies stormed back to seize a 3-1 lead before the enthralling match eventually ended 3-3 due to a second-half City comeback. 

Although it proved to be a fantastic all-round performance from Eddie Howe’s side, French winger Allan Saint-Maximin stole the show as he constantly created chaos down the left to make sure that City full-back Kyle Walker experienced a torrid afternoon at St James’ Park.

The real fun started in the 28th minute as Saint-Maximin danced down the left before finding a diving Miguel Almiron in the box to convert from six yards. That was his first goal contribution of the new season, though it was quickly followed by a second as the 25-year-old cut inside to find Callum Wilson, who nipped past Ruben Dias to give Newcastle a 2-1 lead. 

On top of those assists, Saint-Maximin was fouled for Trippier’s free-kick and created four chances throughout the match – the joint-most of any player on the pitch alongside Kevin De Bruyne – whilst he completed five successful dribbles, the most of any player. His eight successful duels was additionally the joint-most in the match alongside Rodri. 

His sublime attacking performance saw him register three shots at goal and have five touches in the opposition box, keeping City’s defence on edge. He made 10 successful passes into the final third of the pitch, an impressive number considering he only completed 13 passes during the whole match. 

Under-21 MVP: William Saliba

Few defenders have impressed in the early exchanges of the 2022/23 Premier League season as much as Arsenal’s William Saliba and, in his side’s 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, things got even better for the young French centre-back. 

Not only did he play a pivotal role in the club’s third consecutive clean sheet but he also netted Arsenal’s final goal of the match with a perfectly executed finish into the far top corner of Mark Travers’ net.

That was just his second senior club goal as he continues to seriously impress the Gunners fanbase.

What’s been evident so far during Saliba’s short time in the Arsenal first team has been his controlled and stable performances. There’s no panic when on the ball nor is there any hastiness to take unnecessary risks during matches. 

The Bournemouth match also offered a difficult challenge than Arsenal’s prior outings this season as Saliba – and defensive partner Gabriel – had to martial 6ft 4in Kieffer Moore, a task they ended up dealing with masterfully. 

Alongside his goal, Saliba also made two vital interceptions, won possession six times and produced three clearances to help the Gunners to their best start to a season since the 2004/05 campaign.

Saliba also completed all 75 passes he attempted at the Vitality Stadium. Since the start of the 2018/19 Premier League campaign, only four times has a player previously completed over 70 passes with a 100% pass accuracy.

If this is just the beginning for Saliba in Arsenal colours then a very bright future likely lies ahead. 

Previous MVP winners

Matchday MVP Under-21 MVP
1 Aleksandar Mitrovic Moises Caicedo
2 Gabriel Jesus Neco Williams
Facebook Comments Box

Hits: 0

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR