Stability of Isak, Diallo the super-sub: team of the Matchday 20 of Premier League by Dailysports

Between January 4th and 6th, the fixtures for matchday 20 of the 2024/25 Premier League season took place.

Manchester City secured their second consecutive victory. Aston Villa overcame Leicester, while Bournemouth triumphed over Everton. Brentford demolished Southampton with five unanswered goals.

Chelsea failed to win for the fourth straight game, while Newcastle clinched three points in their fifth consecutive match. Arsenal couldn’t defeat Brighton due to a controversial penalty decision.

Liverpool and Manchester United delivered an entertaining 2-2 draw. Fulham and Ipswich also shared the spoils with the same scoreline. Nottingham Forest netted three times against Wolverhampton away from home, marking their sixth consecutive win in the top flight for the first time since 1967.

Goalkeeper: Mats Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Despite Forest's convincing win over Wolves, Sels was kept busy. He made five saves, blocked three shots, and cleared the ball three times. The Belgian completed 10 accurate long passes and won an aerial duel.

This marked Sels’ ninth (and fourth consecutive) clean sheet of the season, making him the Premier League leader in this category.

Left-back: Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)

The 21-year-old Hungarian recorded two interceptions and two tackles, along with a single clearance. His passing accuracy stood at 77%. Kerkez also registered three key passes, three long balls, and three crosses.

In the 77th minute, one of his long passes set up David Brooks for a precise strike against Jordan Pickford.

Centre-back: Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

Like Sels, Murillo played a key role in securing another clean sheet for Forest. The Brazilian tallied eight clearances, four blocked shots, three tackles, and two interceptions.

Right-back: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

Despite Spurs’ defeat to Newcastle, the Spaniard was one of the standout players for his side. He delivered an assist for Solanke’s opener in the fourth minute.

Against Newcastle, Porro made five tackles, three clearances, and one blocked shot. He won five of six ground duels. In the dying moments of the match, his cross found Solanke again, but the forward couldn’t equalize.

Left midfielder: Ross Barkley (Aston Villa)

In the match against Leicester, Barkley completed 50 of 51 passes, won eight of 10 ground duels, and successfully executed all three of his dribbles. He also made three interceptions and three tackles.

In the 58th minute, Barkley opened the scoring with a powerful strike from outside the box—his first Premier League goal since late November.

Central midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

The Portuguese midfielder showcased his versatility against the league leaders, completing three successful dribbles, three crosses, and four accurate long passes. He won both aerial duels and nine of 11 ground duels.

In the 52nd minute, Fernandes assisted Lisandro Martinez to break the deadlock, marking his first assist since early December.

Right midfielder: Amad Diallo (Manchester United)

Under Ruben Amorim, the Ivorian has become a clutch player in big matches. After shining in the Manchester Derby, Diallo secured a draw at Anfield with an 80th-minute strike.

Against Liverpool, Diallo recorded two successful dribbles, one accurate cross, one long pass, three ground duels won, and two clearances.

Left-winger: Savinho (Manchester City)

For the second consecutive match, the Savinho-Haaland partnership secured victory for City. In the 10th minute, the Brazilian’s cross forced an own goal from Coufal. Later, he provided assists for both of Haaland’s goals.

Savinho completed two dribbles, had a 76% pass accuracy, won three ground duels, and contributed a clearance, a tackle, and an interception.

Right-winger: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

The Cameroonian played a role in three of Brentford’s five goals against Aaron Ramsdale. He scored from open play, won a penalty and converted it, and assisted Keane Lewis-Potter in added time.

With 13 goals, Mbeumo is now tied for third in the Golden Boot race alongside Palmer and Isak.

Striker: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Against West Ham, the Norwegian won two ground duels and one aerial battle. He registered a key pass and a clearance. Both of Haaland’s two shots on target found the back of the net.

Haaland’s brace marked his first in the Premier League since September, bringing his season tally to 16 goals.

Striker: Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

The Swede has now scored in seven consecutive Premier League matches, matching the streaks of club legends Alan Shearer and Joe Willock.

Against Tottenham, Isak won three of four ground duels, delivered a key pass, made two clearances and one tackle, and missed one clear-cut chance.

Coach: Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)

Before the Anfield clash, BBC pundit Chris Sutton predicted a 5-0 Liverpool victory. However, Amorim’s tactical setup and motivational skills inspired United to challenge the league leaders.

Not only did United open the scoring, but they also came close to stealing three points in the dying moments had Maguire converted his chance.