This past weekend of Premier League action saw Sean Dyche get off to a dream start at Everton in handing Arsenal just their second defeat of the season.
Goalscorer James Tarkowski is among those to make this week's PFF Premier League Team of the Week, while Leicester, Wolves and Brentford also secured solid victories.
Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas, Nottingham Forest
The Deadline Day signing kept a clean sheet on his first appearance for Forest, meaning he has now done so on his debut in the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Navas held a 100% shots on target saved record against Leeds United, facing four shots which required his shot-stopping action.
Right-back: Kenny Tete, Fulham
Tete may not have the attacking talent as fellow Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson, but his work in defence has been vital to coach Marco Silva. In the draw against rivals Chelsea on Friday evening, Tete did not allow Mykhailo Mudryk to complete a single key pass before the Ukrainian was subbed at half-time.
The Dutchman won six of his nine challenges (66.7%) and over the last three matches has had to defend only one dribble, doing so successfully against Spurs.
Center-back: James Tarkowski, Everton
Tarkowski was a true match-winner for Sean Dyche in his first game in charge at Everton. As well as scoring the goal which sent league leaders Arsenal down to their first defeat since early September, Tarkowski had one of the most efficient defensive displays recorded this season.
He won 10 of 11 challenges (90.91%), one of only 14 times when a player to have won 10 or more challenges has finished with a percentage of 90% or higher. When a player has won at least 10 challenges, the average win rate is 65.3%.
Center-back: Ben Mee, Brentford
It is pretty ironic that in the days that have followed the huge transfer sums of Deadline Day, we have selected two central defenders who arrived at their clubs as free signings.
Mee’s goal for Brentford was his third of the season, while he also won 11 of 17 aerial duels (64.7%).
Left-back: Victor Kristiansen, Leicester City
Harvey Barnes has looked isolated at times on the left wing for Leicester, so the introduction of Kristiansen as a January signing from FC København has been a welcome one for Brendan Rodgers.
Kristiansen recorded two ‘second’ assists meaning the player who assisted the goal received the ball via Kristiansen. He also completed all four of his dribble attempts, which is something Luke Thomas and Timothy Castagne have struggled to do at 0.6 dribbles attempted per-90 (ranked 43rd out of 57) and 0.5 (53rd).
Midfielder: Rúben Neves, Wolves
Only Nottingham Forest’s Orel Mangala (72%) had a better pressures applied percentage than Rúben Neves’ 66%, among midfielders to register 20 or more pressure attempts.
As well as upping the intensity on Liverpool’s midfield, the Wolves captain scored a goal and won 70% of his challenges – the best of any midfielder involved in more than 10 challenges.
Midfielder: Douglas Luiz, Aston Villa
While Villa may have tasted defeat against Leicester, no midfielder created more chances than Douglas Luiz (5).
The Brazilian has formed a crucial midfield partnership with Boubacar Kamara within Unai Emery’s system, with Luiz completing 85 of 94 passes (90%) and winning six of nine challenges (66.7) in the 4-2 loss.
Right winger: Mateus Tetê, Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers described Tetê’s debut as ‘outstanding’ after scored the goal which gave Leicester the lead for the first time.
Tetê attempted more dribbles than any other Leicester player (5), completing three, and spent the most time on the ball out of any outfield player (70.1 seconds).
Attacking-midfielder: Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United
Fernandes was the source of four chances created for Manchester United in their win over Crystal Palace, Luke Shaw and Wout Weghorst were tied-2nd after they recorded two in the same metric.
Setting the tempo, Fernandes’ one-touch possession per-90 of 29.4 was the third-highest among players in his position (among 37 qualifiers). Above the average of 19.6, and behind only James Ward-Prowse (42.8) and Michael Olise (32.1).
Left winger: Willian, Fulham
Willian was a threat down the left wing for Fulham, perfect in going five out of five on his dribble attempts and creating two chances.
Striker: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton
Calvert-Lewin was a disruptive presence up front for Everton and showed a sharp improvement under Sean Dyche compared to his performances for Frank Lampard.
At no other point this season has a striker been involved in more challenges so frequently. Pulled from the action after 65 minutes, Calvert-Lewin's challenges won per-90 of 18.3 is higher than the next best of 14.8 (Roberto Firmino, Liverpool v Manchester City, Oct. 16) and miles ahead of the 4.0 average.
His 11.2 possessions per-90 in the penalty area was his highest this season, a huge increase on his 4.4 average which ranks tied-20th out of 38 qualifiers (min. 500 minutes played).
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