A hat-trick from Bruno Fernandes, a standout midfield display from James McAtee, and strong showings from Newcastle's front line have earned recognition in the latest Premier League team of the week selection.
Manchester United captain Fernandes was singled out as the standout performer after a dominant showing that included three goals and an assist, with the Portuguese midfielder also coming agonisingly close to adding a fourth from inside his own half. His influence on United's campaign was described in stark terms, with the suggestion that the club would be fighting relegation without his contributions this season.
Nottingham Forest's James McAtee also earned high praise following his performance at Anfield, where he was credited with controlling the tempo of the match from the opening whistle. Operating in pockets of space and consistently turning to play forward, McAtee was identified as the key reason behind Forest's positive showing, even if his contribution is unlikely to attract the same headlines as those who found the back of the net.
Manchester City's Rayan Cherki also made the cut, drawing praise as one of the most captivating players to watch in world football at present. His technical gifts on the ball, ability to manipulate space, and independent thinking on the pitch were all highlighted, alongside an appreciation for his relaxed, expressive approach to the game. Cherki's evident enjoyment of football was noted as a key part of his appeal.
Newcastle United had two representatives named in the team of the week. Anthony Elanga continued his impressive recent form, scoring another eye-catching goal to back up a strong display in consecutive matches. His performances under the current management were described as reinvigorating, with comparisons drawn to his pace-driven, defence-troubling displays during his time at Nottingham Forest. The suggestion was made that opposition defenders are increasingly wary of Elanga's threat even before he gets on the ball.
Joining him from Newcastle was Yoane Wissa, whose selection was framed as a deserved inclusion despite two of his attacking teammates having scored more goals and arguably produced better individual performances recently. Wissa was credited with playing a crucial role through the middle of Newcastle's attack, with his work rate and application highlighted as underappreciated aspects of his game. His impact has reportedly been significant enough to factor into speculation regarding the potential departure of teammate Woltemade, underlining just how influential Wissa's contribution has been to Newcastle's attacking setup this season.
Together, the five selections reflect a broad spread of standout performances across the division, spanning title contenders, European hopefuls, and clubs fighting to establish themselves in the upper half of the table. Fernandes' commanding display for Manchester United arguably stands out as the most eye-catching individual performance of the round, but the recognition given to McAtee, Cherki, Elanga and Wissa underscores the depth of quality on show throughout the weekend's fixtures.
As the season progresses, all five players will be looking to build on these performances and continue contributing to their respective clubs' ambitions, whether that be pushing for silverware, securing European qualification, or simply consolidating Premier League status.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.