Each week, BBC football analyst Troy Deeney will present his Premier League Team and Manager of the Week.
Here are Deeney’s selections for this week. Do you concur? Share your opinions in the comments section at the end of this page.
Jordan Pickford (Everton): Pickford delivered a strong performance. It was a significant occasion for Everton, marking the opening of their new stadium. His penalty save, while some might dismiss it as straightforward, was crucial. At that juncture, Brighton was gaining momentum, and a goal would have likely led to their victory. Pickford demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, making a game-changing save.
Michael Kayode (Brentford): Kayode was a dominant force against Aston Villa. His long throws, tackles, and interceptions were impressive, and he effectively neutralized Morgan Rogers on multiple occasions. An exceptional performance that contributed to Brentford’s first win of the season.
Micky van de Ven (Tottenham): Van de Ven’s performance was excellent, securing a clean sheet against Manchester City, a team expected to be formidable. He dictated the tempo, initiating the press on several occasions and maintaining close marking, even tracking Haaland all the way to the goalkeeper. He has been a commanding presence under Thomas Frank.
Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley): This was a crucial match for Burnley. Playing their first home game, a win against Sunderland, who had won the previous week, was vital. Ekdal was instrumental, clearing every aerial threat and making critical blocks.
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal): Scoring two goals in his first start of the season, Timber’s omission from the starting lineup last week may have been a bit harsh. He demonstrated that he will feature more prominently when Arsenal adopts a more attacking approach. He was excellent, contributing a couple of goals as a right-back.
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle): Despite being on the losing side, Guimaraes was outstanding, serving as the team’s heartbeat. He made crucial tackles and scored a goal to bring them back into the game. He orchestrated the team’s efforts, ensuring everyone played to his tune, and made Liverpool work hard for their victory. In the absence of Tonali and Joelinton, he stepped up to lead the team. His performance was fantastic.
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea): Fernandez scored a goal and is poised to score 10-12 goals this season due to his consistent forward runs from midfield. His running was excellent, and he delivered a captain’s performance. He shone brightly, and with Cole Palmer sidelined, he took the lead and drove the team forward.
Jack Grealish (Everton): Grealish’s performance was superb. It was encouraging to see him smiling and playing with freedom, aspiring to be in a situation where Everton consistently gives him the ball. When he’s on form and delivering as he did, it’s great to see him taking on defenders. He provided two assists on the day. His strong performances benefit not only him but also England.
Brennan Johnson (Tottenham): Johnson was fantastic once again. He appears set for an outstanding season, as defenses will likely focus on Kudus on the right flank, leaving Johnson with more space on the left. His pace and power are remarkable. That’s two goals in two games for Johnson. He was excellent against Manchester City.
Joao Pedro (Chelsea): Pedro contributed goals and assists for Chelsea against a struggling West Ham team. He appears composed and like he belongs at Chelsea. He could have scored more if his teammates had passed to him, but overall, it was a solid performance.
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal): Gyokeres is the man of the moment. This was a crucial game for him in terms of expectations, with many hoping he would score or fail. While it was against Leeds, he found the net and finished his goals well. Was he exceptional? No, but given the pressure and expectations, and with Kai Havertz’s injury, he stepped up and delivered the goals, earning him credit.
Thomas Frank (Brentford): Over the three games, Frank demonstrated tactical awareness, making tweaks and changes. He has transformed a team that Ange Postecoglou complained about due to injuries and limitations. Frank has employed three different formations, from the PSG game to the two Premier League matches, positioning Spurs as a solid and adaptable team. They know their roles and can adapt to different opponents. Keith Andrews is a close second for his first win for Brentford.
Jurrien Timber
After an injury-disrupted start to his Premier League career, Jurrien Timber has flourished into a consistent and dependable player for Mikel Arteta.
This past weekend, the Dutch defender celebrated his first start of the new campaign with an outstanding, forward-thinking display, scoring two goals and providing an assist.
Thanks to his goals and assist, Timber became only the second Arsenal defender in Premier League history to record three goal involvements in a single game, following Spaniard Nacho Monreal. It was also Timber’s first brace in top-flight football, with both goals originating from the Gunners’ effective corner routines.
With a joint game-high four tackles and three shots in total, Timber undoubtedly deserves his place in this week’s selection.
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro was Brighton’s standout performer in 2024-25, contributing 16 goal involvements in the Premier League, more than any other Seagull.
The Brazilian has carried his impressive form into 2025-26, starting his Chelsea career with three goals in three games at the Club World Cup and continuing his goal-scoring form in the Premier League this past weekend.
Against a lackluster West Ham side, Joao Pedro scored the opening goal and provided two assists, marking only the second time he has been involved in three goals in a Premier League game, after his performance for Brighton against Tottenham in December 2023.
Against the Hammers, the £60m man also had a joint game-high three shots and won more duels (9) and twice as many aerial duels (6) as any other player on the pitch.
Jordan Pickford
Everton celebrated the opening of the Hill Dickinson Stadium in style, securing a 2-0 victory over Brighton. However, the outcome could have been different without a superb performance from Jordan Pickford.
The England number one was kept busy throughout the afternoon against an unlucky Brighton side, making four saves, the joint-most of any Premier League goalkeeper this weekend.
One of those saves was a late penalty stop from Danny Welbeck, increasing Pickford’s tally of Premier League penalty saves to eight, a figure surpassed by only three other English goalkeepers: David James (13), Rob Green (9), and Ben Foster (9).
Moreover, since the start of last season, only David Raya (15) has kept more clean sheets than the in-form Pickford (13).
Do you agree with Troy’s selections? Who would you include in your Team of the Week? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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