Winners
Ashley Young
Young may be England’s 4th choice left-back, but he was outstanding this week as Manchester United right-back. Young kept Eden Hazard (relatively) in check and was a constant source of energy down the right flank and even provided the assist, albeit off a deflection for Martial’s equalizer. Could that 40th England cap be just around the corner?
Adam Lallana
The definition of weekly winners isn’t necessarily best players of the week but those who enhanced their status for club and country the most. Lallana got his first Liverpool start in the Premier League since New Years Day as Jurgen Klopp was forced to shuffle his pack with Keita injured. He didn’t last the 90 minutes but Lallana showed plenty of glimpses of his best form, most notably with a Cruyff turn. With England auditioning younger creative talents like Sancho, Maddison and Barkley, Lallana’s international future remains in the balance, Saturday was a step in the right direction.
Ryan Sessegnon
It’s been a slightly underwhelming start to Premier League life for Sessegnon who tore up The Championship last season. But a beautiful finish saw him grab his first Premier League goal at Cardiff. Great going forward, surely he won’t be asked to play left-back again?
Jordan Pickford
Probably not the most famous penalty save Pickford will make this year, but his save from Luka Milivojevic- a very similar stop to his decisive save against Colombia, preserved the stalemate at Everton, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late strike secured all three points.
Losers
Jordan Henderson
Not a great week for Henderson, England’s switch of formation better suits Eric Dier, then he missed England’s win over Spain and finally he lasted just 45 minutes of Liverpool’s narrow win at Huddersfield. It’s been an in and out start to the season for the Liverpool skipper, with the games coming thick and fast he needs to find his best.
Callum Chambers
Should have been sent off for a professional foul when he was the last man. At half time his manager concurred and he didn’t reappear for the second half. Not that Fulham’s defending improved.
Joe Hart
Got a nice reception, but not the home-coming he’d planned.
England’s Weekly Winners and losers: Week 8
