As we roll into October, Manchester City and Liverpool find themselves level on points atop the Premier League table, with both sides on 19 points after 7 matches each. Chelsea lurk close behind on 17 points, while North London rivals, Tottenham and Arsenal, find themselves locking horns for the fifth place with 15 points apiece.
September witnessed 4 high-octane Premier League match weeks that saw Liverpool lose their first game of the league season, while Manchester City and Arsenal both won all 4 of their respective games.
Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester United didn’t enjoy an equally successful September. All 3 teams won 2 games each, but Chelsea drew their other 2, Spurs lost their other 2 and United won 1 and drew 1.
5 Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Manchester City and Liverpool may be level on points, but City remain table-toppers due to their superior goal difference of 18 compared to Liverpool’s 12. While their attackers have continued from where they left off last season, the defence has been equally resilient.
Across all 4 games in September, City didn’t just win all four games, they completely dominated. They scored 12 goals and conceded just one – against Newcastle. There’s no doubt that all the defenders must be given credit.
However, Kyle Walker stands out because of his dual defensive and attacking role. Apart from helping out with defence, he constantly bursts forward, lending City their much-needed width.
Apart from the 3 clean sheets he helped City keep last month, he also chipped in with a crucial assist against Newcastle.
4 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
At the other end of the blistering Manchester City side is Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian has been in fine fettle so far this season as the spearhead of City’s attack. His performances have forced Pep Guardiola to prefer him over Gabriel Jesus and his numbers justify it.
In 4 games in September, Aguero played a crucial goal in each and every one, with an assist against Newcastle, two assists against Fulham, a goal against Cardiff and a goal against Brighton.
The 30-year-old signed a contract extension with City last month and will look to make the most of his sizzling form.
3 Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
As mentioned previously, Arsenal is the only other club to have won all 4 of their games in September and a lot of it was due to their attacking firepower. At the heart of it, has been Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette.
After struggling to find his feet last season, the 27-year-old seems to be thriving under Unai Emery this season. Having become a regular starter since the start of the month, he too, played an important role in all 4 Premier League games that Arsenal played.
Against Cardiff, he picked up a goal and an assist. He also scored against Everton while setting up a goal in the matches against Everton and Watford.
2 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Another Manchester City player in tremendous form, Raheem Sterling seems to have carried on from exactly where he left off last season. The English winger had a good World Cup with England and has been in admirable form this season as well.
In September, Sterling scored 3 goals (against Newcastle, Fulham and Brighton) and assisted 2 more (against Cardiff and Brighton).
Despite Kevin De Bruyne’s absence in the centre of the field, Sterling’s pace and creativity on the wings has helped City maintain their indomitable style of play, thereby resulting in unassailable performances.
1 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
It’s almost as if Eden Hazard has finally been fully unleashed upon the Premier League this season. Currently leading the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, Hazard is widely being termed the best player in the league.
Chelsea have played 7 games in the Premier League this season, and Hazard has scored and/or assisted in 6 of those matches.
In September, Hazard played all 4 of Chelsea’s games and scored 5 goals, including a hat-trick against Cardiff. He also netted goals against Bournemouth and Liverpool.