Premier League TOTW Gameweek 32: Manchester City star shining in comeback win | OneFootball

Just days after the announcement that Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season he produced a stunning display against Crystal Palace to star in our Premier League team of the week.

When the Citizens found themselves 0-2 down in the early kick-off against Oliver Glasner’s in-form team this Saturday, they were in need of a hero and Kevin de Bruyne once again stepped up to the plate.

After scoring City’s first goal of the game with a stunning free-kick, the Belgian maestro was also able to set up the goal that put City in front, sliding a pass into the path of Mateo Kovacic who finished from the edge of the box.

In what will have been an emotional occasion for De Bruyne in the first City fixture at the Etihad Stadium following the announcement of his imminent departure from the club he also rattled the post with a long-range effort in the first half, won two tackles and completed two take-ons.

That inspirational performance was enough to give De Bruyne the highest outfield rating of the week and he joins our TOTW alongside two Bournemouth players, plus stand-out performers from Everton, Aston Villa and Liverpool.

We’ve used our Squawka Score to determine the 11 picks, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.

GK: Kepa (Bournemouth)

Kepa made no fewer than seven saves as Bournemouth ran out 1-0 winners over Fulham at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night. The Cherries scored an early goal through Antoine Semenyo but were then able to rely on a fantastic performance from their Spanish stopper, who also completed seven long passes and two punches on his way to a vital clean sheet.

Honourable mention: Aaron Ramsdale (83%)

RB: Adam Smith (Bournemouth)

Another key performer in earning that clean sheet for the Cherries was right-back Adam Smith, who did well to contain the in-form combination of Alex Iwobi and Antonee Robinson for Fulham. The experienced full-back won three aerial duels, two interceptions and two tackles as Bournemouth held onto their lead for almost 90 minutes after that first-minute strike from Semenyo. Smith was on hand to make three clearances as well during that solid rear-guard display.

Honourable mention: Matty Cash (65%)

CB: Nathan Collins (Brentford)

Arsenal made several changes to their starting eleven on Saturday evening ahead of the second-leg of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid this week, but Brentford will still be happy to have taken a point from their trip to the Emirates Stadium with Nathan Collins their stand-out player on the day. With a retention rate of over 95%, the Republic of Ireland international made five clearances and two interceptions and also provided the assist for the Bees’ equaliser, heading Michael Kayode’s cross down for Yoane Wissa to convert.

Honourable mention: Ezri Konsa (70%)

CB: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)

Everton were in imperious defensive form this weekend to earn an impressive 0-1 away win over Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest and Jarrad Branthwaite was at heart of that, winning 11 duels – including an incredible nine aerial duels out of 10 contested, made six clearances and five ball recoveries. The fact that his central defensive partner James Tarkowski scored just one percentage point less shows how strong the Toffees were at the back at the City Ground.

Honourable mention: James Tarkowski (70%)

LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)

Wolves picked up yet another win under Vitor Pereira this weekend and their most impressive performer in the 4-2 victory over an out-of-sorts Tottenham Hotspur was wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri. The 23 year old was not only on the scoresheet within the opening three minutes, but he also laid on a goal for Jorgen Strand Larsen to make it 3-1, won both of his attempted tackles and had a pass success rate of 85% in a brilliant display.

Honourable mention: Nico O’Reilly (64%)

CM: Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)

It took a while for Aston Villa’s class to shine through against already-relegated Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium who was in sumptuous form throughout was Youri Tielemans, making 21 accurated passes (including 16 passes into the final third), seven ball recoveries, winning all of his aerial duels and laying on a goal for Donyell Malen. He’ll hope to carry that form into Tuesday’s huge Champions League quarter final against PSG.

Honourable mention: Amadou Onana (75%)

CM: Thomas Partey (Arsenal)

Arsenal were not at their best in their 1-1 draw with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium, but in a rotated team Thomas Partey was the stand-out performer in central midfield. The Ghanaian won five duels and has an open play passing accuracy of over 95% in a very composed display in the centre of the park and he was also the scorer of the Gunners’ only goal of the game, slotting home from a Declan Rice pass.

Honourable mention: Nicolas Dominguez (72%)

RW: Ben Johnson (Ipswich Town)

Nominally a right-back, Ben Johnson has played as a right-winger on a handful of occasions for Ipswich Town and on Sunday he produced his best performance of the season in that position as the Tractor Boys earned a point from a tough trip to Stamford Bridge. The 25 year old headed in his side’s second goal in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea after providing the assist for Julio Enciso’s opener. He completed all three of his attempted crosses and created a total of five chances in a dangerous display higher up the pitch.

Honourable mention: Donyell Malen (71%)

LW: Luis Diaz (Liverpool)

Luis Diaz appeared to have set Liverpool on their way to a comfortable victory with his first-half goal against West Ham, but in the end they needed a late Virgil van Dijk winner to secure all three points. The Colombian was a constant threat to the Hammers’ backline though, completing two take-ons, taking two shots on target and taking nine touches in the opposition box in an all-action display on the left of the Liverpool front three.

Honourable mention: Harvey Barnes (79%)

AM: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

An absolutely stunning performance from Kevin De Bruyne on Saturday showed Manchester City fans exactly what they’ll be missing when their legendary midfielder leaves the club this summer. Occupying a false nine position, the Belgian was in imperious form completing two dribbles, winning two tackles and completing three key passes alongside a goal and an assist as he orchestrated an excellent City comeback against Crystal Palace.

Honourable mention: Matheus Cunha (82%)

ST: Joao Pedro (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Although he didn’t strictly play in the central striker role against Leicester, Joao Pedro often found himself further forward than Danny Welbeck and was rewarded with two goals as Brighton played out a 2-2 draw against a doomed-looking Foxes outfit. The fluidity of the Seagulls attack can cause problems for most teams in the division and that was certainly the case on Saturday afternoon. Since Kevin de Bruyne played as a false nine for Manchester City, we hope you’ll forgive us for leaving these two in quite fluid, interchangeable positions in this week’s TOTW!