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 17, including a last-minute stunner in the Merseyside Derby and more goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
THE GAMECHANGER
Sadio Mane, Liverpool
The 227th edition of the Merseyside Derby wasn’t one for the ages, hampered by sloppy play and a drastic late challenge from Ross Barkley on countryman Jordan Henderson.
But an ‘in the right place at the right time’ moment — and some poor Everton defending — secured Liverpool its first league win at Goodison since Oct. 1, 2011.
And while Mane was the hero, it was Daniel Sturridge how did all the work on the 94th-minute winner. Looking for his fifth derby goal against Everton, Sturridge used his pace to create space between he and Leighton Baines, ripping a shot from 20 yards out. The ball took a bit of a deflection and seemed to trickle toward the net only to bounce back off the post and across the face of goal.
The rebound caught Everton defenders flat-footed, but Mane pounced to put his team up and secure three points.
Overall, Monday’s game wasn’t anything to call home about but the finish was thrilling and it lifted Liverpool to second in the table.
THE FINISHER
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United
Ibra’s scoring touch is back in full force. After notching just one goal in 11 games from Sept. 15 to Nov. 3, the Swedish striker has gone on a tear.
Ibrahimovic’s run of form continued in Manchester United’s comprehensive 2-0 win at West Brom, finding the back of the net once in each half. The first came just five minutes into the match, as Ibra made no mistake on a perfect Jesse Lingard cross into the box with a vintage header.
The second goal was a moment of individual brilliance from the 35-year-old. Taking a pass from Wayne Rooney at the top corner of the 18-yard box, Ibrahimovic used a clever flick to split two defenders and quickly got a shot off. The ball took a deflection off a West Brom defender before finding its way past Ben Foster and into the bottom corner of the net.
A renewed Ibrahimovic has been key as Jose Mourinho attempts to get Man United back in contention for a Champions League spot; the Red Devils are now just four points back of fourth-place Arsenal.
An honourable mention to Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez for his stunner in the dying minutes at Bournemouth. Maybe goal of the weekend.
THE PLAYMAKER
Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
After conceding to Arsenal in the first five minutes of Sunday’s high-profile clash at the Etihad, it looked stark for Manchester City.
Despite appearing quite dangerous in attack throughout the first half, Pep Guardiola’s team were the exact opposite in defence and were lucky to reach halftime allowing just one goal.
The second half was a much different story. Man City came out rejuvenated, and within two minutes of the restart had pulled even on a goal from Leroy Sane (which some would argue was offside).
Throughout the game De Bruyne was in spectacular form, creating seven chances overall throughout his 83 minutes. None were more spectacular than his pinpoint cross-field pass in the 71st minute to find Raheem Sterling down the right flank. Sterling then created his own piece of magic to slot the winning goal past Petr Cech (which also might have been offside).
There isn’t a better playmaker in Europe right now than Kevin De Bruyne.
THE PROTECTOR
Danny Rose, Tottenham
Jan Vertonghen was a beast in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Burnley at White Hart Line, racking up 21 clearances — good for tops in the league over the weekend — and winning 12 aerial duels, second to Andy Carroll’s 16.
However, the nod this week goes to Danny Rose, who turned in another quality defensive performance for Spurs. But it was his beauty-of-a-winner against the Clarets that earns the England left back his spot here.
Tied 1-1 in the 71st minute, Victor Wanyama gathered up a loose ball at midfield and passed it onto a streaking Rose. But rather than take possession, the Spurs left back pulled off a nifty dummy pass and sprinted down the pitch as Wanyama took on the ball. As Rose reached the edge of the box, Wanyama hit him with a precise through ball inside the area.
Rose took one touch and blasted a shot past Tom Heaton short side.
A highlight of the season for Rose, and three more points for Tottenham.
THE STOPPER
Jordan Pickford, Sunderland
Patrick van Aanholt put the Black Cats in the lead for good over Watford early in the second half of Saturday’s match, but it was thanks to a couple moments of brilliance at each end of the game from their young ‘keeper that Sunderland held on for three crucial points.
Watford got its first chance in the opening minute as Nordin Amrabat smacked a splendid shot directly off a corner that had eyes for the net. It was heading for a spot just under the crossbar had it not been for a diving leap by Pickford to parry the ball out of danger.
Watford managed four shots on target against Sunderland: one in the first minute, one in the 29th, and a pair in what were a wild couple of minutes near the end of the game.
On an 84th minute corner, Pickford got to the ball first with a punch but it fell right to the foot of Daryl Yanmaat, who fired a shot from just outside the box through a fair amount of traffic. Pickford was there to preserve the lead.
And while the rebound was booted out of the area, the ball was quickly gobbled up by Valon Behrami at midfield and lobbed towards the edge of the box. It found the head of Troy Deeney, who directed it to Odion Agalho for a volleyed shot. Through all the madness, Pickford kept concentration and, while he didn’t make the surest of saves, kept the ball out of the net.
That would be it for Watford’s chances, and now Sunderland find themselves just one point from safety.
