Premier League TOTW Gameweek 21: Amad Diallo inspires Man United while Newcastle dominate | OneFootball

It was Forest who took the lead on home soil through Chris Wood but they couldn’t hold out, with Diogo Jota heading home from a corner in the second half. However, their performance against Arne Slot’s men demonstrated just how impressive they’ve become under Nuno Espirito Santo.

While Forest and Liverpool cancelled each other out, Arsenal took full advantage. The Gunners came from behind to beat arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to close the gap on the summit to just four points.

There were plenty more big results, including Brentford overturning a 0-2 deficit to draw 2-2 against Manchester City, and Manchester United coming from behind to beat basement club Southampton 3-1; the Red Devils’ first Premier League win since mid-December.

But who were the best players from gameweek 21? We’ve used our Squawka Score to determine the 11 picks, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.

GK: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Matz Sels has been in stunning form for Nottingham Forest this season and he came up big once again to earn a draw against Liverpool, making a host of massive saves. Five saves to be precise, preventing 0.95 goals. He also completed eight long passes to help the Tricky Trees get the ball forward.

Honourable mention: Dean Henderson (78%)

RB: Joel Veltman (Brighton)

Brighton finally ended their eight-game Premier League winless streak on Thursday night and Joel Veltman played a massive role in them doing so. The Dutch defender won eight of his 12 ground duels and both of his aerial duels, while making three tackles — winning all three — three clearances and three recoveries. He was so solid that even a yellow card couldn’t stop him from making this team.

Honourable mention: Trent Alexander-Arnold (67%)

CB: Matthijs de Ligt (Man United)

Man United survived a scare to beat bottom club Southampton 3-1 from behind on Thursday and they needed a quality performance from Matthijs de Ligt to do so. The former Ajax man posted some impressive defensive numbers, including six clearances, seven recoveries, three interceptions, two blocks and one tackle, while he won all four of his combined aerial and ground duels. De Ligt was also class on the ball, completing a match-high 62 passes at a 91% success rate.

Honourable mention: Adam Webster (69%)

CB: Dan Burn (Newcastle)

Newcastle United just cannot stop winning at the moment and one man playing an underrated part in their success is Dan Burn. The 32-year-old was excellent again on Wednesday as the Magpies thrashed Wolves 3-0, completing a match-high 76 passes while winning all five of his aerial duels and two out of three ground duels — alongside two clearances, one block and one interception.

Honourable mention: Gabriel (68%)

LB: Kostas Tsimikas (Liverpool)

Usually, we wouldn’t include a substitute in this team. However, it took Kostas Tsimikas just 22 seconds to provide the assist for fellow substitute Jota after coming off the bench against Forest on Tuesday. In 25 minutes, Tsimikas helped get Liverpool level, attempted four crosses, completed 17 of 19 passes, made one clearance and posted a 100% success rate on aerial duels.

Honourable mention: Vitalii Mykolenko (69%)

RW: Amad Diallo (Man United)

There really could only be one entry on the right. With Man United 1-0 down heading into the last eight minutes of their home tie against Southampton, everyone at Old Trafford was looking at the exciting Ivorian to see if he could pull his side out of a hole. And boy did he do just that, netting a hat-trick in 12 minutes, with the last goal coming in the fourth minute of added time, to seal a vital 3-1 victory for Ruben Amorim’s men.

Diallo had already created three chances prior to his hat-trick but simply decided it was easier to sort things out on his own.

Honourable mention: Jacob Murphy (75%)

CM: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Martin Odegaard continues to make Arsenal tick and this time, he inspired his side to a north London derby win over Tottenham. The Norwegian created four chances on the night, including setting Leandro Trossard away for the winning goal. He also played nine passes into the final third, had six touches in the opposition box and attempted eight crosses, completing four of them.

Honourable mention: Mateus Fernandes (73%)

CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)

Like Odegaard, Bruno Guimaraes created four chances and provided an assist as Newcastle rolled Wolves 3-0 at St. James’ Park. But the Brazilian was also a massive defensive presence, making five tackles — winning two of them — alongside two interceptions, two clearances and a block.

Honourable mention: James Maddison (73%)

LW: Alex Iwobi (Fulham)

Alex Iwobi was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch at the London Stadium on Tuesday. The former Arsenal and Everton man netted two excellent goals to take his tally for the season to seven in 21 Premier League games. He also created five chances, completed all three of his dribbles and played four passes into the final third.

It’s just a shame his heroics counted for nothing, with Fulham falling 3-2 to London rivals West Ham United.

ST: Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

For the eighth game in a row, Alexander Isak was on the score sheet, this time netting twice against Wolves. But more than that, the Sweden international also set up Anthony Gordon’s strike to finish the job in the 74th minute to round off another stunning centre-forward performance.

Newcastle will be desperate to keep Isak long-term but he just keeps on putting in performances that will be turning heads around Europe.

ST: Georginio Rutter (Brighton)

Like Tsimikas, Georginio Rutter gets into the team despite being a substitute, thanks to the sheer impact he made. In just 27 minutes, the Frenchman created two chances, attempted two shots and scored Brighton’s second goal in a 0-2 win over Ipswich Town, while attempting two dribbles — completing one — and having four touches in the opposition box.