Who was your Premier League player of the week?
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The Premier League returned in a blaze of glory this weekend with new players, new shirts but still plenty of goals and excitement.
While not quite reaching Le Classique levels of drama between PSG and Marseille, we’ve flicked through some of the outstanding opening round performances and come up with four of the best.
Apologies, Tariq Lamptey! Check them out below…
Willian – Arsenal
Class is permanent, the saying goes. And Arsenal new boy Willian showed he’s still got it in abundance as he claimed three assists (two if you’re being stingy) in the Gunners’ 3-0 rout of Fulham.
The 32-year-old’s shot fell to Alexandre Lacazette for the first Arsenal goal, before his corner was nodded home by fellow debutant Gabriel Magalhaes.
He nearly had a goal of his own, but his close range free-kick pinged off the post, before a free-flowing Arsenal attack finished with Brazilian floating a cross-field ball to Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to curl home.
Mikel Arteta’s men are 13/8 to qualify for a coveted Champions League spot, so can Willian maintain this level all season? But as debuts go, this was impressive.
James Rodriguez – Everton
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti knew he needed some steel in midfield, but also some flair to unlock opposition defences this season.
Step forward James Rodriguez. Ancelotti got the best out of the playmaker during his Real Madrid days and on first showing the love affair could continue.
While James didn’t get an assist, he looked a cut above the Spurs midfield and caused all sorts of problems.
If this is the version of James Rodriguez the Premier League gets to see, we’re in for a treat.
Mo Salah – Liverpool
Mo Salah was back in clinical form in Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Leeds United in a match with more twist and turns than Thorpe Park’s Nemesis Inferno.
The Liverpool forward proved to be Leeds gaffer Marcelo Bielsa’s nemesis bagging a hat-trick and stealing the three points.
While team-mate Sadio Mane got much of the praise last season, there’s no denying Salah’s ruthlessness – while the Reds are 2/1 second favourites to retain their title, Salah’s 11/4 favourite to win the Golden Boot.
Romain Saiss – Wolves
A Fantasy Football player’s dream performance from Romain Saiss. The Wolves defender racked up a huge 15 points this weekend, second only to Salah.
But while FPL managers rejoice. Nuno Espirito-Santo will be expecting the same again next week.
Saiss scored a bullet header in Wolves’ 2-0 win over Sheffield United before heading a certain Blades’ goal off the line.
He was then joining breakaway attacks and testing keeper Aaron Ramsdale with a fierce shot, all while completing 40 of his 45 passes in the game.
That’s dominance.
Now the power’s in your hands, have we scored an own goal with our picks or nailed our top four? Have your say @Ladbrokes on Twitter!
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
