Premier League Team of the Week: Salah, Maguire, Kovacic and Pope shine
The opening weekend of the 2024/2025 Premier League season delivered exhilarating performances, with key players making their mark.
Sports News Blitz’s Premier League Team of the Week features standout names like Mohamed Salah, Mateo Kovacic and Nick Pope, each delivering exceptional displays.
Salah’s record-breaking feat, Kovacic’s commanding midfield role, and Pope’s heroic goalkeeping underscore the thrilling start to the new season.
Dive into our round-up of the top performers from the weekend’s action.
Nick Pope (Newcastle United) - Goalkeeper
Despite being reduced to 10 men as early as the 28th minute against newly-promoted Southampton, Newcastle's goalkeeper Nick Pope delivered an exceptional performance on Saturday, securing a clean sheet.
Pope faced an onslaught of 19 shots, the majority coming in the second half, yet he remained a formidable presence between the posts.
His resilience under pressure not only preserved Newcastle's defensive record but also earned him a well-deserved place as the No 1 in this week's Team of the Week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - Full-back
Back to business for Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he stood out in a challenging match against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
The right-back was instrumental in orchestrating Liverpool's attacks, particularly with a precise pass to Mohamed Salah that led to the goal that opened the scoring.
Alexander-Arnold consistently served as the catalyst for Liverpool’s forward play, delivering exceptional passes that kept the pressure on Ipswich's defence.
He nearly added an assist to his tally with a perfect cross to Diogo Jota, which the Portuguese forward narrowly headed wide.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – Centre-back
The first fixture of the 2024/25 Premier League season - Manchester United’s home clash with Fulham on Friday night - saw a commanding performance by Harry Maguire.
Dominating in the air and winning all his aerial duels, Maguire allowed Manchester United to play a high line, not only intercepting the ball high up the pitch but also driving his team forward with precision.
His ability to spray pinpoint long balls to the wingers added another dimension to United's play. Maguire was nearly flawless on the day.
When his centre-back partner, Lisandro Martinez, made an error, Maguire's awareness and composure shone through as he expertly covered a two-vs-one situation, preventing Fulham from capitalising.
It was a standout performance from a player who has faced criticism in the past but proved in this match that he remains a solid centre-half for the Red Devils.
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Jacob Greaves (Ipswich Town) – Centre-back
It's rare to see a centre-back from the losing side earn praise, especially when his team concedes twice.
But Jacob Greaves' performance against Liverpool demands recognition. Despite the scoreline, Greaves was everywhere on the pitch, displaying incredible tenacity and heart.
His standout abilities were on full display as he won 100% of his ground duels, made the most clearances in the match, registered two blocks, took two shots, and made an interception.
It's only fitting to give Greaves his due credit for such a remarkable showing against a formidable Liverpool side.
For newly-promoted teams like Ipswich Town, players like Greaves are crucial to their survival. His fighting spirit, even against one of the Premier League’s top teams, highlights why he was such an important summer signing for Ipswich.
Greaves' impressive Premier League debut sets the tone for what could be a vital season for both him and his team.
Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United) - Full-back
With an impressive debut for Manchester United, it was impossible to overlook the Moroccan fullback in this line-up.
Capable of playing both right-back and left-back, Mazraoui showcased his talent effortlessly, fitting seamlessly into the team.
Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the bigger names signed during the summer transfer window, his role in the squad will undoubtedly be pivotal as the season progresses.
His debut was nothing short of outstanding, boasting a 92% pass accuracy, five ball recoveries, a perfect record in ground duels, winning all his tackles, and making three interceptions.
It was a performance that highlighted his potential to be a key player for Manchester United.
Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City) - Midfield
Filling the Rodri role is no easy task, as Manchester City's struggles without their Spanish midfield anchor last season demonstrated.
However, Mateo Kovacic's performance in that position over the weekend was nothing short of impressive. His ball retention was exceptional, as was his dribbling and ability to move the ball effectively.
Kovacic seamlessly picked the ball off the back four, driving City forward with purpose - ultimately capping off his display with a well-deserved goal.
His performance was so assured that it made you almost forget the absence of City's midfield linchpin, Rodri.
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Amadou Onana (Aston Villa) – Midfield
Amadou Onana had a dream debut for Aston Villa on Saturday, finding the back of the net just four minutes into his first appearance for the club.
His headed goal not only marked a sensational start but also became the fourth-fastest goal ever scored by a Premier League debutant.
Beyond the goal, Onana delivered a composed and assured performance. The young midfielder exuded confidence, consistently disrupting the opposition’s play while displaying remarkable poise on the ball.
His efforts culminated in an impressive 96.8% pass completion rate, underscoring his pivotal role in the team's success.
Joelinton (Newcastle United) – Midfield
Joelinton delivered an impressive performance as a box-to-box midfielder, particularly after Newcastle was reduced to 10 men.
The Brazilian seamlessly slotted into the midfield in a 4-3-2 formation, becoming a crucial defensive asset for the wounded side.
Despite the added defensive duties, he also managed to score the only goal of the match, securing a hard-fought victory for Eddie Howe’s team against Southampton.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – Forward
An absolutely outstanding performance from England star Bukayo Saka, making him an undeniable inclusion in this line-up.
Wolves struggled to contain the winger up until the 80th minute, when he was subbed off.
Saka was the driving force behind Mikel Arteta’s side, serving as the primary outlet for attacks.
Whenever he found space, he made Wolves pay, finishing the game with both a goal and an assist.
It was a complete performance from the young star, who tormented Wolves for the majority of the match.
Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion) – Forward
Danny Welbeck embodies longevity, strength and class, making it impossible to overlook his impact on Brighton's performance this past weekend.
With a goal, an assist, and an all-around stellar display, Welbeck showcased his enduring quality.
Rolling back the years, he scored for the 15th consecutive top-flight campaign, demonstrating that he's still a force to be reckoned with.
Competing with younger talents like Evan Ferguson and Joao Pedro for the starting striker position at Brighton, Welbeck proved against Everton why he deserves the spot.
His exceptional performance has rightly earned him a place in Sports News Blitz’s Premier League Team of the Week.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Forward
All three forwards in this Premier League Team of the Week notched a goal and an assist in their respective fixtures this past weekend.
Mohamed Salah is among them, and he has now surpassed Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard to become the all-time leading scorer on the opening day of the Premier League, with more goals than any other player.
Salah's performance was a quintessential display of his class and consistency, a hallmark of his career.
His contribution was pivotal in helping Arne Slot secure his first victory in his new role.
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