Gameweek 29 proved to be a potentially decisive one in the Premier League title race. Manchester City regained control following Liverpool’s Merseyside derby stalemate, while Manchester United exploited the draw in the weekend’s other big local derby between Tottenham and Arsenal.
We run through the latest player form rankings (using chronologically weighted ratings over the last six matches) after the weekend’s action, with a new leader and five new faces in the top ten.
10) Troy Deeney (Watford) - 7.39 weighted rating
The Watford striker put in a captain’s display as Watford ensured Brendan Rodgers’ first game in charge of Leicester ended in late heartache. Deeney gave the Hornets the lead early on in the game before turning provider with a superb lofted assist for Andre Gray’s injury time winner.
9) Isaac Hayden (Newcastle) - 7.43 weighted rating
Falling from the dizzy heights of second after the midweek round of fixtures, Hayden couldn’t prevent Newcastle from defeat at West Ham and was substituted late on as the Magpies pushed for an answer to their hosts lead.
8) Idrissa Gueye (Everton) - 7.46 weighted rating
Having expressed his disappointment at not being allowed to leave for PSG in the transfer window Gueye has been in and out of the Toffees side of late but his steel in midfield was certainly required in the Merseyside derby. The Senegal international made six tackles as Everton frustrated their neighbours and climbs nine places in the rankings.
7) Raul Jimenez (Wolves) - 7.46 weighted rating
Back on the leaderboard following a return to the scoresheet against Cardiff, the Mexican took his goal tally to 11 for the season, six of which have come in his last six league appearances. With the assist for Diogo Jota’s opener to boot, Jimenez has now had a direct hand in 17 of Wolves’ 37 goals.
6) Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 7.48 weighted rating
Having failed to find the net against his favourite opponents in Bournemouth at the weekend, Sterling falls three places from midweek after a subdued display by his standards.
5) Joel Matip (Liverpool) - 7.53 weighted rating
He may have profited from injuries to the likes of Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren but on current form Matip is more than deserving of his place in the Reds’ back four. Often overshadowed by his centre-back partner - the Cameroonian has been extremely solid of late as Liverpool have kept four consecutive clean sheets in the league.
4) Shane Duffy (Brighton) - 7.59 weighted rating
The Seagulls centre-back was in imperious form as Brighton picked up a much needed win in their bid to beat the drop, producing four tackles, 11 clearances and winning 11 aerial duels to earn a fifth WhoScored.com man of the match award of the season.
3) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 7.73 weighted rating
Like Sterling, Aguero was left frustrated by Bournemouth’s defensive tactics at the weekend, though he did pose more of a threat, firing off five shots and completing two dribbles.
2) Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) - 7.75 weighted rating
Having previously gone 17 matches without finding the net in the Premier League, Zaha’s goal at Burnley was his fifth in as many games. With a further four dribbles the winger earned a man of the match rating for the third time in his last four outings and climbs seven places from the midweek rankings.
1) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 8.06 weighted rating
Up three places to take the lead in the form rankings this time around, Van Dijk was at his outstanding best in the Merseyside derby, earning the WhoScored man of the match award having won 12 of 15 aerial duels. With a further 13 clearances and three interceptions the Dutchman was rock solid as the Reds kept yet another clean sheet.
