TOP 10
Marc Pugh, Bournemouth
The left-winger was on fire against struggling Middlesbrough. Pugh’s pullback set up the first goal for Joshua King and he scored a lovely goal of his own in the second half. It was his first of the season but he may well score again in Bournemouth’s next game against Sunderland.
Charlie Daniels, Bournemouth
Daniels was Pugh’s partner-in-crime on Saturday. The marauding left-back was involved in everything and it was fitting that he scored Bournemouth’s fourth goal. Perhaps just as satisfying was the rare cleansheet, and Eddie Howe will be hoping his defence can keep out Sunderland too.
Sam Clucas, Hull City
Clucas has been one of Hull’s stars all season but the midfielder reached new heights under Marco Silva. Clucas isn’t known for his goals but his strike against Watford was not only crucial, but also beautifully-struck. Southampton may prove tougher opponents.
Lukasz Fabianski, Swansea City
Manager Paul Clement needed a big performance from his goalkeeper against Stoke and he certainly got one. His saves from Saido Berahino and co. helped his team to a very important victory. However, Manchester United may cause more problems for Fabianski next weekend.
Maarten Stekelenburg, Everton
The Dutch keeper replaced Joel Robles for Saturday’s goalless draw against West Ham. His solid performance kept Everton in the game. After the cleansheet, Ronald Koeman will find it difficult to drop Stekelenburg for the next game against Chelsea.
Artur Boruc, Bournemouth
The Polish goalkeeper didn’t have a lot to do in Bournemouth’s comfortable victory over Middlesbrough. But he’ll be happy with his ninth cleansheet of the season. He has a good chance of hitting double figures away at Sunderland.
Benik Afobe, Bournemouth
The striker hasn’t had the best of seasons in front of goal but he has recently formed a strong partnership with Joshua King. Afobe’s strike against Middlesbrough was a real poacher’s finish and could he make hay against Sunderland’s John O’Shea.
Eldin Jakupovic, Hull City
Against Stoke, Jakupovic picked up his first cleansheet since early February. At 0-0 and with Hull down to 10 men, he made a brilliant save to keep out Sebastian Prödl’s header. Jakupovic will need to play just as well to stop Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini.
Joshua King, Bournemouth
King now has 14 goals this season, with 10 of them coming in 2017. The former Manchester United youth player is the Premiership’s in-form striker and he’ll be looking forward to his team’s trip to Sunderland on Saturday.
Tom Carroll, Swansea City
Carroll is proving a very shrewd buy from Tottenham. As well as his passing, running and tackling, the midfielder has an eye for goal. His strike against Stoke to a wicked deflection off Joe Allen’s boot but they all count. Carroll probably won’t get as many goalscoring chances in his next match against Manchester United.
BOTTOM 10
Gastón Ramírez, Middlesbrough
The Uruguayan had a 20-minute nightmare against Bournemouth. First, he was booked for diving and then his loose pass resulted in Middlesbrough conceding a second goal. Finally, he received a second yellow for fouling Mark Pugh. Ramirez will now miss Middlesbrough’s Tees-Wear derby against Sunderland.
George Friend, Middlesbrough
Most of Bournemouth’s goals came down the left but Ryan Fraser was also a constant threat on the right. Friend found Fraser’s pace too hot to handle and was booked for fouling him. Things can only get better against Sunderland.
Daniel Ayala, Middlesbrough
The Spanish defender was involved in three goals against Bournemouth but not in a good way. He slipped for Joshua King’s early strike, proved too slow to stop Benik Afobe and then gave Mark Pugh space to shoot. Even a derby win over Sunderland next weekend won’t keep Ayala’s team in the Premier League.
Oumar Niasse, Hull City
Niasse has had a good loan spell at Hull and he was unlucky to be sent off against Watford. His raised boot caught M’Baye Niang, who made a meal of the contact. Luckily, his team recovered to win the match. Unluckily, Niasse could now miss the next three games, unless the red card is rescinded.
Bruno Martins Indi, Stoke City
Like West Brom, there’s a feeling that Stoke are already on holiday. Fernando Llorente outjumped both Martins Indi and Ryan Shawcross to score Swansea’s first goal. The Dutch defender was later booked for a foul on Jordan Ayew. Stoke’s next opponents are another mid-table team, West Ham.
Fabio Pereira da Silva, Middlesbrough
There’s not much more to say about Middlesbrough’s abject defending against Bournemouth. Fabio came on in the first half and did nothing to settle his team. Despite this, he may still start against Sunderland.
Sebastian Prödl, Watford
The Austrian defender has played well this season, but he wasn’t at his best against Hull. He was too slow to stop Lazar Markovic’s counter-attack and he was later booked for a bad tackle on the Serbian. Prödl will need to be back on form when Liverpool come to town.
Gareth Barry, Everton
The Toffees struggled to get going against West Ham. Barry came on at half-time and carried on his record as the most booked player in Premier League history. Fouls aside, he didn’t really add much to Everton’s game. He might well be on the bench again for Chelsea’s visit.
Idrissa Gueye, Everton
The player that Barry replaced was Gueye. The Senegalese midfielder has been outstanding this season but he got an early yellow card against West Ham. At least he’ll be rested and ready to face Chelsea.
Peter Crouch, Stoke City
Saido Berahino was poor against Swansea but Crouch wasn’t much better. His frustrating afternoon ended with a yellow card for pushing Mike van der Hoorn to the floor. Mark Hughes isn’t blessed with striking options, and so Crouch should make the starting line-up again versus West Ham.
