The Premier League had another action-packed weekend full of goals, drama, and late winners. Fans were treated to everything from comebacks to shock results, and as always, a few players stood out so much that they’ve earned a spot in the Team of the Week.
From Sunderland’s goalkeeper heroics to Arsenal’s last-minute comeback, and of course Manchester City’s star attackers putting on a show, here’s a breakdown of the best players from the weekend. Along the way, you’ll also learn some cool soccer facts and catch up on the latest news that connects with these performances.
A Wild Premier League Weekend
Before we get into the players, let’s talk about the matches that set the stage.
Crystal Palace continued their unbeaten run by beating league leaders Liverpool 2-1. This was huge because Liverpool hadn’t lost yet this season, but Palace’s young midfield talent Adam Wharton stepped up.
Arsenal came from behind to defeat Newcastle 2-1. Their star defender Gabriel scored a last-second header, which had fans at the Emirates jumping out of their seats.
Sunderland, who were promoted back to the Premier League not too long ago, showed they can still grind out results with a tough 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
And then, of course, Manchester City absolutely crushed Burnley 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku stealing the headlines.
That’s the beauty of the Premier League—it doesn’t matter if it’s a big team or a newly promoted one, surprises can happen any week.
Goalkeeper
Robin Roefs (Sunderland) – 8.4 Rating
Sunderland’s young Dutch goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, has already made a name for himself this season. He’s now in the Team of the Week for the third time!
Against Nottingham Forest, Roefs made six key saves to keep his team’s 1-0 lead intact. Clean sheets (when a goalkeeper doesn’t let in any goals) are like gold in the Premier League, and this was Sunderland’s third of the season.
Fun fact: Goalkeepers wear the number 1 jersey more often than any other number in history. It’s almost like a tradition that the team’s starting keeper gets that number.
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Defenders
Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) – 8.3
Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi isn’t the flashiest player, but his work is super important. In a 2-2 draw with Leeds, he made seven clearances (kicking the ball away from danger), three interceptions, and two tackles. He also assisted Eli Junior Kroupi for the equalizer.
Did you know? Defenders often run just as much as midfielders, sometimes covering over 10 kilometers in a single game.
Omar Alderete (Sunderland) – 8.2
Another Sunderland star! Alderete scored the only goal in the 1-0 win against Forest. On top of that, he made nine clearances and even had a 100% dribbling success rate. Not bad for a center-back!
Gabriel (Arsenal) – 9.1
Gabriel had a rollercoaster game against Newcastle. He made a mistake that let Nick Woltemade score early, but he didn’t let it ruin his day. Instead, he redeemed himself by scoring a 96th-minute header to win the match.
This is a reminder of how defenders can be dangerous in attack, especially during corners and free kicks.
Santiago Bueno (Wolves) – 8.7
Bueno scored his first Premier League goal in Wolves’ 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. But more than the goal, his defense was on point—he made four tackles, four clearances, and won 12 duels.
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Midfielders
Sean Longstaff (Leeds) – 9.6 (Player of the Week)
Longstaff had the highest rating of the week. In Leeds’ 2-2 game against Bournemouth, he scored once and assisted another. He also created two big chances and made six tackles.
Soccer fact: Midfielders like Longstaff often run the most distance in matches. It’s not unusual for them to cover 11–12 kilometers in 90 minutes.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) – 8.9
At just 21 years old, Wharton is becoming one of Palace’s most important players. Against Liverpool, he created two big chances and completed all his dribbles. Palace are now the only unbeaten club in the Premier League!
Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 8.3
Rice continues to prove why Arsenal paid so much money for him. He assisted the equalizer with a perfect cross and made 30 accurate passes into the final third, showing how important he is in building attacks.
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Forwards
Danny Welbeck (Brighton) – 8.2
Welbeck may not be in his prime anymore, but he proved he’s still got it. He scored twice in Brighton’s 3-1 win over Chelsea, including the final goal in the 100th minute.
Soccer combo: Did you know that Welbeck once played with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at Manchester United? Now he’s the veteran leader at Brighton.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – 8.6
Haaland is simply a goal machine. In City’s 5-1 win over Burnley, he scored twice and assisted once. That takes him to eight goals this season already, and we’re only a few weeks in!
Fun fact: Last season, Haaland scored 36 Premier League goals, breaking the record for most in a single season.
Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) – 8.5
Doku is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Against Burnley, he was unstoppable—completing eight dribbles, creating 27 passes into the final third, and firing three shots on target. His speed and creativity make him one of the most exciting young wingers in the league.
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Soccer News and Fun Facts Combo
Crystal Palace’s unbeaten streak has made them the surprise team of the season so far.
Sunderland, a team not long ago playing in lower divisions, now has two players in the Team of the Week. That shows how unpredictable soccer can be.
Arsenal’s late winner against Newcastle reminded fans of their famous “never give up” attitude from the Arsène Wenger era.
Manchester City continue to look like favorites to win the league again, especially with Haaland and Doku linking up.
Combo fact: Between Haaland and Doku, they combined for two goals, two assists, and over 30 attacking contributions in just one match. That’s like carrying a whole offense on their shoulders!
Premier League
Final Thoughts
This week’s Premier League action reminded us why the league is considered the most exciting in the world. From last-minute goals to young stars stepping up and big names delivering when needed, fans got everything they could hope for.
Goalkeeper Robin Roefs showed why Sunderland can dream big.
Defenders like Gabriel and Bueno proved that center-backs aren’t just about stopping goals—they can score them too.
Midfielders Longstaff, Wharton, and Rice controlled games with passing, tackling, and creativity.
And forwards like Welbeck, Haaland, and Doku gave us the goals and flair that make the sport so fun to watch.
As the season continues, the question remains: can anyone stop Manchester City’s attacking power, or will another underdog like Crystal Palace shock the world? One thing is for sure—soccer fans everywhere are in for a treat.
