Premier League Match Day 16 TOTW-Stand out performances from Mohamed Salah and Dele Ali

After a round of intense midweek games, the Premier League’s top spot was up for grabs between Liverpool and Manchester City.

My TOTW for matchday 16

Goalkeeper-Foster (Watford)

Former Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster kept his side in the game against Everton by saving Glyfi Sigurdsson’s penalty.

In the 68th minute, the 35-year-old prevented Everton from going level by producing a terrific save with his legs.

A Lucas Digne freekick denied Foster from being the hero for The Hornets that night, but his experience kept Watford in the game and got them a well-deserved point.

Defenders- James Tarkowski (Burnley), David Luis (Chelsea) and Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

James Tarkowski: Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski put in a solid performance against a Brighton side who were unbeaten in their last 3 Premier League games.

The 26-year-old, English defender managed to score the only goal of the game and kept the likes of Glenn Murray at bay who was in fine form going into the game (8 goals so far in the Premier League).

David Luiz: Chelsea defender David Luiz demonstrated his talent against a high-flying Manchester City with a brilliant, yet calm performance at the back for The Blues.

It could be argued that his performance was so good because he wasn’t against a natural striker, in Raheem Sterling. Despite this, Sterling happens to be one of the best players in the Premier League, and the Brazilian thwarted him throughout the 90 minutes.

Furthermore, his goal solidified Chelsea’s excellent team performance, causing City to fall to second in the league table.

Matt Doherty: The game at St James’ Park looked like it would end a point a piece, but a late goal from Doherty proved otherwise.

Doherty showed superb willingness to support his team mate Diogo Jota late on in the game and was rewarded with a goal as he pounced on the rebound.

Midfielders- Felipe Anderson (West Ham United), N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Dele Ali (Tottenham Hotspur) and Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Felipe Anderson: The Brazilian is in excellent form at the moment. His technical ability was far too much for Crystal Palace to handle and was a menace all game.

A clever ball to Hernandez got The Hammers level from his free kick, and a terrific curling effort from himself took the 3 points from Crystal Palace after an awful first half display from the home side (West Ham).

N’Golo Kante: Arguably the worlds best holding midfielder, hasn’t always been allowed to play in his best position. However, the game against the title holders he was allowed to and performed exceptionally.

Throughout the match, he stopped City’s midfield from getting a hold of the game and finished off Eden Hazard’s magic in the City box to put the home side in front.

Chelsea are at their most dangerous when they have a player like Kante, who they can rely on to stop opposition counter attacks on his own-with someone like him, as well as Eden Hazard and César Azpilicueta, it’s difficult to see why Chelsea can’t challenge for the title nor to not go on and win the Europa League.

Dele Ali: With the likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen rested on the bench against Leicester, it was an opportunity for Dele Ali to show how important he is to Tottenham-and he took the chance with both hands as he scored his 50th goal for his club.

Ali played a vital role for Tottenham going forward and showed that Spurs are capable of resting players and can still get victories.

Upcoming games in the League Cup and the Champions League will show whether Mauricio Pochettino is willing to risk Premier League points for more achievable silverware.

Diogo Jota: Two games, two goals and 1 assist- the Portuguese is looking sharp as ever. His forward thinking throughout the game enabled Wolves to take the 3 points from St James’ Park, leaving Rafa Benitez’s side without a win in their last 3 games.

Jota scored early on in the first half to give the visitors the lead and also was brought down by Yedlin to bring the home side down to 10 men.

But his stand out contribution to the game was when he ran at the Newcastle defence in the 94th minute and shot towards goal. He didn’t get the winning goal, however his attacking run made it possible for Doherty to tap in the winner.

Forwards- Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) Javier Hernandez (West Ham United) and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Marcus Rashford: Marcus Rashford has been Manchester United’s best player this season.

Despite all that’s going on at the club, the 21-year-old has always worked his socks off when picked and put in another man of the match performance against Fulham.

The young Englishman increased his assist tally to 6 on Saturday, and even scored a well deserved 4th goal of his 18/19 campaign.

Even though Fulham scored, Claudio Ranieri’s men had no chance of getting anything from the game after going a goal down-plus the sending off of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for a foul on Rashford was the icing on the cake for Manchester United’s home victory.

Javier Hernandez: West Ham’s attacking football got them out of trouble again against Crystal Palace.

Hernandez in particular has been important for West Ham, and the disguised pass from Anderson to him was the second of three goals for West Ham’s comeback at London Stadium.

Even with the best efforts of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho, the pair couldn’t stop the Mexicans link up play with his fellow forwards (Felipe Anderson and Robert Snodgrass).

Hernandez now has 5 goals in the Premier League for the Hammers.

Mohamed Salah: 'One season wonder' Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth, to project Liverpool above Manchester City and into first place in the Premier League.

Three clinical goals from Mo Salah showed the Premier League that the Egyptian forward is still as good as he was last season.

Plus, to top off his star performance, Salah passed on his man of the match award to James Milner who made his 500th appearance in the Premier League. With the likes of him, Alisson and Van Dijk in form, surely this is Liverpool’s year whilst they are on top?

Overview

With the Premier League games coming in thick and fast, Liverpool now hold the top spot after Manchester City fail against Chelsea, creating even more debate around who will win the title this season.

Meanwhile at the bottom of the table, Fulham are still searching for a win to kick start their fight to stay in England’s top division and Burnley escape the bottom 3 by beating Brighton on their home turf.

Lastly, congratulations to James Milner on an excellent Premier League career-but will it get topped off with a third Premier League trophy?