Premier League TOTW Gameweek 5: Liverpool star Gravenberch maintains flying form to feature

Liverpool made it five wins from five when as they dispatched of Merseyside rivals Everton in Saturday’s lunchtime kick off.

Ryan Gravenberch was again a star performer for the Reds having been directly involved in both goals. Whisper it… but is the Dutchman now the best midfielder in the Premier League?

Elsewhere, Leeds, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham all have at least one player make the Premier League team of the week.

Once again, we’ve used our Squawka Score to determine team of the week, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.

The Squawka Score is our proprietary performance rating, combining multiple Opta stats into a single percentage. It benchmarks players against their positional peers, allowing quick comparisons. Learn more about how it works here: https://www.squawka.com/en/news/squawka-score-explained/

Read the Squawka Score 2025-26 Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 28 here. 

GK: Karl Darlow (Leeds)

• Squawka score: 78%

Leeds claimed a second league win of the season, and did so impressively at Wolves on Saturday. They eased to a 3-1 victory but still needed Karl Darlow to put in a solid shift between the sticks as the experienced shotstopper managed five saves and punched the ball clear two times.

Honourable mention: Martin Dubravka (78%)

Burnley held Nottingham Forest to a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor on Saturday, with Martin Dubravka key as the Clarets claimed a result. The summer signing made seven saves and prevented 0.46 goals in the stalemate.

RB: Matty Cash (Aston Villa)

• Squawka score: 68%

Aston Villa finally scored their first league goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Sunday. Matty Cash was the unlikely scorer for the Villans at the Stadium of Light, while he also managed nine successful passes into the final third.

Honourable mention: Kyle Walker (68%)

Having made five clearances, two tackles and two aerial wins, the experienced Kyle Walker just misses out on a place in the side. The former Manchester City man stood out as the Clarets claimed what could prove a huge point.

CB: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)

• Squawka score: 75%

Manchester City were unable to claim all three points at Arsenal on Sunday as Gabriel Martinelli’s well taken second half equaliser saw the spoils shared at the Emirates at the weekend. Even so, Josko Gvardiol excelled at the heart of the City defence as he made nine clearances, two tackles, two interceptions, and won three aerial duels, to feature.

Key stats vs Arsenal:

Honourable mention: Sven Botman (71%)

Newcastle claimed a creditable point at Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon with Sven Botman putting in a shift at the back for the Magpies. As Eddie Howe shifted to a three-man backline, the Dutchman made eight clearances and won three aerial duels in a clean-sheet attaining display.

CB: Maxime Esteve (Burnley)

• Squawka score: 72%

After a handful of honourable mentions, a Burnley player partners Gvardiol at the back. Maxime Esteve ensured Scott Parker’s side secured a point against Nottingham Forest as the young Frenchman managed eight clearances, two interceptions and one tackle in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

Honourable mention: William Saliba (70%)

Back in the Arsenal XI following injury, William Saliba played his part in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Saliba managed a 95.54% retention rate against Pep Guardiola’s side, while an additional five aerial duels marked a fine return to the side.

LB: Patrick Dorgu (Manchester United)

• Squawka score: 73%

Rounding off the defence is Manchester United wing-back Patrick Dorgu. The young Dane claimed the assist for Bruno Fernandes’ opening goal against Chelsea on Saturday, that coming from the only big chance he created, and won possession in the defensive third four times to nail down the left-back spot.

Honourable mention: Tyrick Mitchell (71%)

Tyrick Mitchell picked the perfect time to score his first league goal of the season as he struck midway through the second half in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win at West Ham. Mitchell also made two tackles as Palace extended their unbeaten run to 17 games.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

• Squawka score: 77%

Ryan Gravenberch maintained his fine start to the season with a second league goal of the campaign in Saturday’s Merseyside Derby win over Everton. The in-form Dutchman fired Liverpool ahead on Saturday, and then turned provider for Hugo Ekitike on the half hour mark to make the cut for the second week running.

Key stats vs Everton:

Honourable mention: Tyler Adams (73%)

American Tyler Adams impressed out of possession in Bournemouth’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Sunday as he made five interceptions and two tackles, and won three aerials, to just miss out on a spot in the team of the week.

Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets

Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:

1. Sign up to Dabble through this link
2. Register your account with accurate personal details
3. Place your first bet of £10 or more
4. Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
5. Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days

#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org

CM: Anton Stach (Leeds)

• Squawka score: 75%

Leeds’ star man against Wolves, Anton Statch was directly involved in two of their three goals in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Molineux. The summer signing followed up his 39th-minute strike with the assist for Noah Okafor’s effort on the stroke of half time. The towering German also maintained a 83.33% ground duel success rate in the Midlands.

Honourable mention: Granit Xhaka (73%)

Another to just miss out on a spot in the midfield, Granit Xhaka maximised his experience as 10-man Sunderland claimed a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the weekend. The Black Cats captain won six duels and maintained a respectably 43.75% final third pass accuracy.

CM: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)

• Squawka score: 74%

Joining Gravenberch and Stach in midfield in this XI is Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson. The England international worked hard off the ball at Turf Moor on Saturday, making two interceptions and one tackle against Burnley, and made 26 final third passes in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Key stats vs Burnley:

Honourable mention: Sandro Tonali (71%)

Sandro Tonali came close to earning a place in the side after a commendable showing on the south coast at Bournemouth. Tonali made two tackles, completed two take ons and returned a 88.89% open play pass accuracy in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with the Cherries.

RW: Harry Wilson (Fulham)

• Squawka score: 78%

Fulham came from behind to claim a fine 3-1 West London Derby win over Brentford on Saturday night, with Harry Wilson catching the eye down the right for the Whites. The Welshman scored Fulham’s second shortly before the break, netting with his only shot on target, and was unfortunate not to add an assist having created three chances.

Honourable mention: Yankuba Minteh (71%)

Yankuba Minteh followed up last week’s assist against Bournemouth with a goal of his own in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham. Minteh got the better of Guglielmo Vicario with his only shot on target and maintained a 100% take-on success rate, though it wasn’t enough to feature in the best XI.

ST: Richarlison (Tottenham)

• Squawka score: 79%

Leading the charge in the Premier League team of the week, Richarlison scored his third league goal of the season in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday. The Brazilian struck with one of five shots at the AMEX and won two aerial duels to feature on the frontline.

Honourable mention: Wilson Isidor (78%)

Just missing out on a place in the team, Wilson Isidor continued his impressive start to life in the Premier League, netting his third league goal of the season in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. The Frenchman’s six shots also generated 0.95 xG in the Stadium of Light stalemate.

LW: Alex Iwobi (Fulham)

• Squawka score: 83%

The second Fulham player in the side completes the team. Alex Iwobi was directly involved in two of the Whites’ three goals against Brentford, following up his 38th-minute equaliser with the assist for Wilson’s goal, those coming from respective returns of one shot on target and two chances created.

Key stats vs Brentford:

Honourable mention: Jaiden Anthony (78%)

The third Burnley player to receive an honourable mention, Jaiden Anthony scored his side’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, that goal coming from one of three shots on target. The Burnley winger also completed four take ons in a fine showing.