Matchday FM Team of the Week: Matchday Four

Each week, Matchday FM pundit Chris Coughlin will bring you his Team of the Week from the top flight, as well as some honourable mentions who just missed the cut.

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy - Chelsea

Sometimes a scoreline doesn't tell the full story and had it not been for a superb first half by Chelsea's goalkeeper, Villa could well have found themselves in front at Stamford Bridge.

Mendy produced an excellent double save to keep out both Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa after a sensational stop from Ollie Watkins down at his near post.

Chelsea have had goalkeeping issues in recent years but Mendy is an extremely safe pair of hands.

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold has had an excellent start to the campaign and that continued against Leeds on Sunday.

His second assist of the season already arrived when he teed Mo Salah up for the Egyptian's 100th Premier League goal and Alexander-Arnold has created more opportunities than any player in the division so far this term.

It was an excellent defensive display as well from Alexander-Arnold, an area where he has often been criticised by many. He made eight ball recoveries, two interceptions as well as winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels.

A top class all round display from a top class talent.

Centre-back: Marc Guehi - Crystal Palace

To describe the performance of Marc Guehi against Tottenham, I will provide a stat that isn't direct about the young centre-half: It was the first match in the Premier League in which Harry Kane didn't have a shot or touch inside the penalty area.

Even with Kane just beginning to return to the fold for Spurs, the England captain had scored in every game of the international break for the Three Lions and was starting to show signs of warming up this season.

Guehi, one of several recruits at Selhurst Park this summer, looked dominant and comfortable against one of the best strikers on the planet.

Centre-back: Lewis Dunk - Brighton

It's been a good start for Brighton bar the defeat against Everton and captain Lewis Dunk has played a starring role at the back for the Seagulls.

He was integral in the win at Brentford whose only other home league game so far this season was a 2-0 win ovr Arsenal on the opening day.

Dunk kept Ivan Toney quiet while also coping well with the threat of Bryan Mbuemo as Graham Potter's side made it three wins from four games so far.

Left-back: Marcal - Wolves

At the fourth attempt, Wolves got their first goals and points of the Bruno Lage reign with marauding wing-back Marcal playing a huge part.

His two 'assists' against Watford were admittedly fortuitous with the Brazilian's cross being headed into his own net by Francisco Sierralta for the opening goal before his close range effort was blocked leading to Hwang Hee-Chan's debut goal for the club.

It was, however, a morale boosting win for Wolves who perhaps haven't had the rewards their displays have merited so far this campaign with Marcal playing an integral role.

Centre-midfield: Fabinho - Liverpool:

For me, Fabinho is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League and he showed why at Elland Road.

He made five interceptions, the most of any Liverpool player, completed two clearances and nullified the expected bombardment of Leeds' attacking football, made all the more impressive after he picked up a yellow card in the first half.

His goal was the icing on the cake for the Brazilian's display and an emotional moment as well after the sad loss of his father last month.

Right-midfield: Andros Townsend - Everton

What. A. Goal!

Andros Townsend is no stranger to the spectacular, you only need to see his volley against Manchester City in 2018 for evidence of that, and his goal on Monday night was another stunning hit from the winger.

Having already gained an assist for Michael Keane's equaliser, Townsend collected the ball and made space for himself before unleashing an unstoppable bullet into the top corner of Nick Pope's goal.

Townsend revealed afterwards that his mum had sent him a compilation of goals to try and improve his confidence and form. It turns out mums really do know best.

Left-midfield: Wilfried Zaha - Crystal Palace

Tottenham's tormentor in chief on Saturday.

When Wilf Zaha is on it, there aren't many more terrifying thoughts for defenders in the Premier League.

He played a crucial role in the first yellow card for Japhet Tanganga, an incident for which Zaha also saw yellow for his reaction, slotted away the penalty to give Palace a well deserved lead and burst down the left-hand side to set up Edouard for the Eagles' second of the day.

Forward: Odsonne Edouard - Crystal Palace

Welcome to the Premier League Odsonne Edouard.

Even against 10-man Tottenham, it was a spectacular introduction to life in the English top flight for the signing from Celtic.

He showed good control to set up his deflected strike which opened his account for the club before finishing sharply beyond Hugo Lloris for his brace.

Edouard will face tougher tests and far more solid defences but he couldn't have dreamt of a better beginning to his life in South London.

Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United

From a man who was making his Premier League debut to a man who has been there, done it and got several t-shirts to prove it, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in sensational style on Saturday.

Whilst Newcastle 'keeper Freddie Woodman won't be looking back on either of the Portuguese's goals fondly, Ronaldo showed the goalscoring instinct he was born with to net in the Premier League for the Red Devils for the first time since 2009.

He was in the right place at the stroke of half time to bury the rebound from a spilled Mason Greenwood shot before bursting into the box and firing a low left-foot striker past Woodman who couldn't react.

With Ronaldo in their ranks, just how far can United go this season?

Forward: Romelu Lukaku - Chelsea

We all know how good Romelu Lukaku is but he somehow seems to be getting better and better.

He is a very different forward to the one who arrived at Stamford Bridge over a decade ago. He's more powerful, he's quicker and he's far more clinical as the win against Villa showed.

His composure for the opening goal at Stamford Bridge was excellent as he left Axel Tuanzebe in his wake before calmly applying the finish.

His second was nothing short of emphatic. Cesar Azpilicueta send the ball over the Belgian whose first touch was delicate and second was devastating. Chelsea might have found the final piece of their title winning puzzle.

Honourable mentions

Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy - Southampton

Southampton are still winless this season but it could've been worse for them against West Ham had it not been for McCarthy.

He showed great reflexes to turn out Jarrod Bowen's close range volley and secure a crucial point in what has been a tough start for the Saints.

Defender: Thiago Silva - Chelsea

At club level, there isn't much Thiago Silva has achieved at the club's he's been at.

The Brazilian stalwart was at his defensive best against Aston Villa, especially when Chelsea came under pressure, making more blocks than any of his teammates to see off Villa's threat in an ultimately comfortable win.

Midfielder: Mateo Kovacic - Chelsea

It looks like an interesting season ahead for Mateo Kovacic but performances like this will do the Croatian no harm in the battle for a consistent spot in the Blues midfield.

An excellent pass allowed Lukaku to break away for the opener before Kovacic himself pounced on a poor Mings backpass to finish smartly beyond Villa's backup keeper Jed Steer.

Forward: Mo Salah - Liverpool

Another week, another milestone for Mo Salah

His opener at Leeds was his 100th in the Premier League, in just 162 games with only four players managing it in a quicker time - Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Thierry Henry.

Salah is rightfully in elite company.