Squawka’s Team of the Week from Premier League Gameweek 4: Man Utd and Ipswich stand out | OneFootball

The fourth matchday of the 2024/25 Premier League season saw 23 goals, six clean sheets and 66 yellow cards.

Defending champions Manchester City remain the only perfect team, having won each of their four opening games, after Liverpool suffered a surprise loss against Nottingham Forest at home.

Erling Haaland came agonisingly close to securing a third consecutive hat trick, netting twice at Brentford’s expense, while Ollie Watkins opened his account in an incredible comeback win over Everton.

The marquee fixture saw Arsenal run out 1-0 winners over neighbours Tottenham, keeping them on City’s coattails heading into the first European week of the season.

But which players made the Squawka Premier League Team of the Week for MD4? Here are our 11 picks and the reasoning behind each selection. Every pick is based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to each position across the gameweek.

GK: Robert Sánchez (Chelsea)

It’s fair to say Chelsea has struggled away from Stamford Bridge of late. Their 1-0 win at Bournemouth saw the former English champions keep their first clean sheet away from home in the Premier League in 18 such games. A huge reason for that shutout was Robert Sánchez, who made seven saves, including stopping Evanilson’s spot kick. This means he’s saved 50% of the penalties he’s faced for Chelsea in the Premier League (2/4), the best ratio for the Blues among keepers to face four or more spot kicks in the competition. He also prevented 2.2 goals, the second-best in the division this gameweek.

History was made as Ipswich kept their first away clean sheet in the Premier League since November 2001 with a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough. Brighton — who have failed to score in 10 different Premier League games so far in 2024, more than any other side this calendar year — did everything in their power to breach Arijanet Muric’s goal, but Kieran McKenna’s defence was resolute with Axel Tuanzebe standing out at right back. The former Manchester United man made seven clearances, one block, while winning six of his eight duels and creating one big chance.

This marked a strong return for Matthijs de Ligt, who had a difficult time with the Netherlands, as manager Ronald Koeman subbed him off at half-time in the game against Germany earlier in the week due to another individual error. However, there were no such mistakes in the game against Southampton. De Ligt opened the scoring for Man Utd and delivered a commanding performance in defence. He won three aerial duels, made six clearances, and maintained an impressive 93.59% pass completion rate.

CB: Dara O’Shea (Ipswich)

As great as Tuanzebe was down Ipswich’s right flank, Dara O’Shea seemed unbeatable at the heart of their defence. The 25-year-old centre-back made four interceptions, with one coming inside the penalty area, plus won six aerial duels and blocked four shots. Furthermore, he registered two successful tackles, resulting in a much-deserved clean sheet for the Tractor Boys.

LB: Diogo Dalot (Man Utd)

Although he conceded a penalty, it was a pretty much flawless performance from Diogo Dalot, again stationed as Man Utd’s left-back in Luke Shaw’s absence. The versatile full-back produced one assist, won two fouls, and made two successful clearances. Furthermore, he registered 15 passes into the final third and came four touches away from having 100 on matchday four.

CM: Mario Lemina (Wolves)

Despite being on the losing side, Mario Lemina can be content with his own individual performance. The midfielder put Wolves in front against Newcastle and, during the 90 minutes, won back possession on six occasions while boasting a 100% successful rate regarding take-ons and aerial duels contested.

CM: Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham)

It’s very early days, but Emile Smith-Rowe looks reinvigorated following his move from boyhood club Arsenal to Fulham this summer. He’s now either scored (1) or assisted (1) in consecutive Premier League home games for only the second time, having last done so for Arsenal in November 2021 (two goals, one assist). He produced Raúl Jiménez’s goal to put the Cottagers ahead against West Ham, which was one of three chances he created while on the pitch (73 minutes).

One was bound to go in as Leicester City winger Stephy Mavididi registered three shots against Crystal Palace. He ultimately doubled the Foxes’ lead in an entertaining game that ended level. He also had three touches in the opposition’s box across 72 minutes while completing one take-on.

AM: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

It goes without saying that when Bruno Fernandes is on form, Man Utd tend to play their best football. Playing in a deeper-lying forward role, he created one goal while completing three take-ons. Fernandes also had five touches in the opposition box and was unlucky not to score with five goal attempts. He also made six final third entries.

LW: Marcus Rashford (Man Utd)

A 12-game run for Manchester United in all competitions without a goal ended when Marcus Rashford netted his first strike since March. That effort came from three shots on goal, and from outside the penalty area, which means three of his last four Premier League goals have come from via this method, while since 2022-23, only Eberechi Eze (8), Phil Foden (7), and Kevin De Bruyne (6) have scored more such goals in the competition than him (5).

CF: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Efficiently is how you could have described Jean-Philippe Mateta against Leicester City. The Frenchman registered two goals from two shots, while producing four touches in the opposition box. He subsequently became the fifth player to reach 25 Premier League goals for Crystal Palace (now 26), after Wilfried Zaha (68), Christian Benteke (35), Luka Milivojevic (28), and Eberechi Eze (27).