Throughout the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, we’ll pick out a handful of standout footballers after each matchday concludes based on five different categories: The Gamechanger (MVP), The Finisher (most important goal-scorer), The Playmaker (creator of goals/chances), The Protector (standout defender) and The Stopper (top goalkeeper).
Here are our five selections from Matchday 4, featuring a standout performance in the Manchester derby and an unexpected hero for Tottenham.
THE GAMECHANGER
Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City
In the first Manchester derby between long-time managerial rivals Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, it was the Belgian international who stood out the most.
De Bruyne was a maestro on the pitch, leading Man City with six shots, creating six chances and being involved in both of his team’s goals. The first was a work of beauty from the 25-year-old, who took a spectacular first touch on a ball off the head of Kelechi Iheanacho to spring himself towards goal. He fired it past David de Gea with a decisive fashion.
The eventual winner was also all thanks to De Bruyne, as he took possession of a loose ball in the 18-yard box, maneuvered around a pair of United defenders and put a shot off the far post. The rebound fell right to the feet of Iheanacho, who made no mistake.
Pep will get much of the credit for his team’s most important win of the young campaign – and deservedly so – but it wouldn’t have been possible without De Bruyne.
THE FINISHER
Son Heung-min, Tottenham
After a somewhat slow start to the season, Spurs broke out in a big way Saturday with a dominant victory against what is looking to be a poor Stoke side. And the biggest surprise of the match had to be the performance of Son, who put away two of Tottenham’s four goals.
Christian Eriksen did most of the work on the first goal, but a neat touch from Son on a cross from the young Dane got Spurs off the mark. The South Korean’s second was splendid: taking yet another pass from the ever-creative Eriksen, Son took a first-touch shot from just inside the 18-yard box over the head of Shay Given and into the back of the net.
THE PLAYMAKER
Dmitri Payet, West Ham United
After taking a 2-0 lead just after the half-hour mark, it looked as if West Ham were going to roll past Watford on the way to three points Saturday. Instead, the Hammers conceded the next four goals in a hugely disappointing home loss.
Despite the tough result, Payet’s first-half heroics can’t be ignored. It was from the Frenchman’s corner that Michail Antonio scored West Ham’s first goal of the match just five minutes after kickoff.
But it was Payet’s second assist that stole headlines. Rather than read about it, just hit play on the video below, sit back and enjoy.
West Ham has a lot of work to do to be considered among the Premier League’s top tier, but there’s no doubt Payet is world class.
THE PROTECTOR
Nicolas Otamendi, Manchester City
While their work in the first half earned the victory for Manchester City, the last 45 minutes were dominated by the Red Devils. While some luck and favourable calls played a role for the Citizens, there’s no doubt its defence made things difficult for their cross-city rivals. And Otamendi was at the forefront.
The Argentinian was brilliant at the back for Man City, playing a crucial role in his team’s preservation of a lead that was precarious for much of the second half of Saturday’s thrilling Manchester derby.
THE STOPPER
Artur Boruc, Bournemouth
The Cherries squeaked out a win over West Brom thanks to a brilliant Callum Wilson goal 11 minutes from time, but three points wouldn’t have been earned without a couple of crucial stops from Bournemouth’s Polish goalkeeper.
Boruc made a pair of pivotal stops in the second half, first redeeming himself for a bad giveaway in the 50th minute with a block on a dangerous Brendan Galloway cross, followed up with a big stop of Saido Berahino’s shot on the rebound. Boruc followed that up with another impressive save from a West Brom corner in the 57th minute, stopping a Gareth McAuley header to set the stage for Wilson’s stunning winner 20 minutes later.