Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
The Premier League is starting to catch fire, and it's hard to believe we've already had four weeks of the 38-game season — and it's certainly been an intriguing start across the board.
With over £3 billion spent in the summer, there is a terrific amount of quality on show and match week four included some eye-catching displays, from a classic target man display to a midfield masterclass and players from almost every position showcasing the true variety of quality.
We've decided to focus on the best of the displays from the weekend's action, looking at the best individual performances, ranked on a series of factors to establish the best performances of the fourth weekend of the Premier League season.
Ranking Factors:
Impact on the game
Contribution for their position
Decisive moments
Level of opposition
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The powerful striker gave Ezri Konsa and Gabriel one of their most physical battles they're likely to have all season. On a lively evening at the Stadium of Light, Brian Brobbey produced the ultimate target-man performance against the best defence in Europe, backing into the two defenders, holding it up and being a genuine nuisance.
If you look at the stats alone, it doesn't make for great reading. However, the eye-test backs this up. Sunderland continually hit their striker with all manner of balls, and the Dutchman was able to control virtually everything under intense pressure. Expect him to be key for the Black Cats this season in the league and Europe.
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Having developed a strong reputation across the past few seasons, Daniel Munoz reaffirmed his status as one of the league's best flying full-backs after Nottingham Forest's victory over Aston Villa. It was a real coup to bring him in from Crystal Palace, and the Colombian helped to bring real quality and energy down the right flank.
His five key passes, three accurate crosses out of four attempts, 92% pass success rate and seven defensive contributions speak directly to that. Linking up with his former boss at Palace, Oliver Glasner, expect Munoz to be a key performer this season, and this is certainly a performance to build on.
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Despite neither team producing much quality on the day, Josh King reaffirmed his status as a rising young star as he produced the most individual quality that contrasted against Liverpool's underperforming attack worth nearly £400 million. When compared to the under-fire Florian Wirtz, King looked two/three times the player at Anfield.
His directness, energy and close control were all on display here, managing one big chance created, four shots in total (two on target), as well as being fouled three times. Only 19, he looks to be a key starter for Fulham already and is looking to fill the void left by Harry Wilson.
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A key part of Arsenal's brilliant backline, David Raya has improved year-on-year to become one of the league's best between the sticks. Against Sunderland, it was his penalty save that was the catalyst for their eventual win. After Dan Ballard was brought down in the box by Konsa, his brilliant hand turned Enzo Le Fee's strike onto the post.
Then, a few minutes later, Bruno Guimaraes' long-range effort gave them the lead. The type of moment that champions are capable of producing. However, when Sunderland were in good positions or offered testing crosses, he was on hand to take the pressure right out of any situation. With no other key moments, he features here at seven.
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REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Having been signed for £116 million this summer, Elliot Anderson was experiencing his first Manchester derby — and coming away with a clean sheet, a win and the Man of the Match award from Sky Sports was a perfect way to begin his City career. Partnered with another huge money signing in Enzo Fernandez, the duo impressed even though they are still in the early stages of their new partnership.
Anderson's main traits we saw last season were all on display here: 22 carries, 76 touches, six recoveries and three clearances helped City manage their one-man disadvantage. In what was a scrappy game, his calmness on the ball and legs in the middle of the park were crucial to their win.
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Bookmark this: Kevin Schade won't be at Brentford within two years. The talented winger is really starting to blossom after being given the platform to develop by Brentford. He is one of several players to arrive with little to no fanfare, before later developing into a high-level Premier League performer.
His latest exploits against Bournemouth included a brace that both put them ahead and brought them level. Playing off the left, his touch and finish to make the most of the error by Djordje Petrovic was a touch of class and his second was a composed finish. He is quickly becoming a key figure for Brentford.
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If there's one player who's quietly becoming a consistent figure, it's Marcus Tavernier. Marco Rose's side look to be an entertaining outfit, and Tavernier's early-season form continued here against Brentford in their 2-2 draw. His seven goals and four assists last season were a strong return, and now he's building on that output.
After netting against Manchester City and Newcastle, he managed an all-round creative performance that included four key passes, two big chances created, 21 carries and three shots on target. With Liverpool to come, he'll be itching to continue this run before the first international break.
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This game is the most obvious example of why Gabriel is in the Ballon d'Or top 30 list and why he is considered one of the best in his position in the world. Up against another player on the list in Brobbey, he handled the striker expertly, as his side came away with a clean sheet and a victory.
It was a brilliant clash which, in the end, the Brazilian got the better of. His ability to throw himself in front of shots and win headers brought a calmness to their backline. The stats read brilliantly as well: six clearances, seven aerial wins out of eight, one clearance off the line, two blocked shots and 11 defensive contributions. Love him or hate him, you can't deny his overall presence.
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The Brighton mainstay produced a stunning goal of the season contender in the 5-0 rout over newly-promoted Coventry, and keeping a clean sheet ensured it was a perfect afternoon for the 34-year-old. With his side well ahead, Dunk looked up at goal and fired in a swirling and powerful strike which left Carl Rushworth swiping at thin air.
Defensively, his side had to weather the storm. With four clearances, two recoveries and one block alongside a 95% pass success rate, it was a brilliant away day for Dunk and his side, and his effort will surely be up for some type of award down the line. A strong defensive showing coupled with one of the best goals you'll see from a centre-back has him extremely high up.
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Easily one of the most underrated we've had in recent years, Pascal Gross has reaffirmed his quality in the early part of this season after two years at Borussia Dortmund. He grabbed two assists and a perfect penalty in the rout against Coventry City, but his technical quality is perfectly aligned with what Brighton are trying to achieve under Fabian Hürzeler.
With six key passes, a 93% pass success rate and a 100% tackle success rate (2/2), he produced a brilliant display and gave Coventry's midfield a lesson in Premier League quality — and he'll be one to watch as the season goes on for the Seagulls.