The 2026/27 Premier League season rolled on with its second gameweek and there were some big performances.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Hull City continued their perfect starts to the campaign, with the latter beating fellow promoted side Coventry City.
Chelsea beaten Brighton and Hove Albion in a 4-3 win at Stamford Bridge, one of two games to feature seven goals. The other was Manchester United‘s 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town, inspired by a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick.
Fernandes shines brightest in our Squawka Score Team of the Week for Gameweek 2, but Man City are the most-represented club with three players.
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/
GK: James Trafford (Leeds)
- Squawka Score: 80%
Despite not keeping a clean sheet against Brentford, James Trafford did his bit to ensure Leeds United took a point. The Englishman made four saves and caught two crosses, with all four of his saves coming from shots inside the box.
Honourable mention: Kostas Tzolakis (77%)
Kostas Tzolakis made three saves in keeping his clean sheet to ensure Hull’s perfect start to the Premier League season continued.
RB: Amar Dedic (Newcastle)
- Squawka Score: 78%
Amar Dedic put in an excellent all-round performance for Newcastle United in their win over Tottenham Hotspur. The full-back set up Yoane Wissa’s opening goal with one of two chances he created, the joint-most of any Newcastle player. He also made five clearances and five recoveries to help keep a clean sheet.
Honourable mention: Abdukodir Khusanov (72%)
Abdukodir Khusanov continued at right-back for Man City and was reliable with three tackles won and 94% passing accuracy.
CB: James Tarkowski (Everton)
- Squawka Score: 80%
Although he did score a 91st-minute equaliser for Everton against Bournemouth, James Tarkowski isn’t just in this team for that. He also won nine out of his 11 duels including five in the air, alongside three interceptions. Tarkowski made three interceptions and completed 34 of his 40 passes — more than any Everton player.
Honourable mention: Marc Guehi (76%)
Marc Guehi constantly looked to push Man City up the pitch against his former club, with a round-high 25 final-third passes. But he also chipped in with three interceptions.
CB: Ruben Dias (Man City)
- Squawka Score: 77%
Ruben Dias put on a passing clinic at Selhurst Park, completing 107 of his 108 attempts and a 100% success rate in his final-third passes. Dias also made four clearances and won possession six times, including four in the defensive third.
Honourable mention: Jeremy Jacquet (76%)
Despite Liverpool‘s overriding defensive issues, Jeremy Jacquet looked impressive in their draw against Nottingham Forest. He won nine of his 10 duels and made three tackles alongside four clearances.
LB: Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford)
- Squawka Score: 78%
Keane Lewis-Potter helped Brentford take the lead against Leeds just before half-time, setting up Kevin Schade. While the main focus was on the goal itself, Lewis-Potter had put the ball in the danger area. He also made 12 passes into the box and 15 into the final third in total, while also winning possession six times across the pitch.
Honourable mention: Adrien Truffert (77%)
Adrient Truffert completed 93% of his passes for Bournemouth and made six recoveries.
CM: Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
- Squawka Score: 81%
Alex Scott gave Bournemouth the lead against Everton with a good finish, while also creating two chances. He had more touches than any other Bournemouth player, attempted six crosses and completed 42 passes. But he also won possession nine times and made three tackles. A good all-round display.
Honourable mention: Pascal Gross (79%)
Although Brighton lost 4-3 to Chelsea, Pascal Gross helped them to make things close with one goal and two chances created.
CM: Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
- Squawka Score: 81%
Granit Xhaka was in good form for Sunderland in their slender win over Fulham. The Swiss midfielder created four chances at the Stadium of Light, two of which were big chances. He also led Sunderland in every passing metric, including his 18 final-third passes completed, two through-balls and five attempted crosses. Everything went through him.
Honourable mention: Elliot Anderson (78%)
Elliot Anderson won the battle of the English midfielders at Selhurst Park, with four tackles won and three interceptions.
RW: Phil Foden (Man City)
- Squawka Score: 86%
Phil Foden provided two assists in Man City’s win over Phil Foden, from three chances created — two of which were big chances. He also had three shots, with only one Man City player managing more. Foden attempted four crosses, completed one through ball and 17 final-third passes.
Honourable mention: Bryan Mbeumo (83%)
Bryan Mbeumo wrapped up Man Utd’s win over Ipswich, scoring with one of his five attempted shots. He also created three chances, one of which was a big chance.
No.10: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
- Squawka Score: 95%
The star of the round, Bruno Fernandes was directly involved in four of Man Utd’s five goals. He scored a hat-trick and provided an assist, in what was one of his best performances in a Man Utd shirt. Fernandes had eight shots in total and created three chances, while completing 23 final-third passes. But Fernandes also won possession three times in the middle third and made two tackles.
Honourable mention: Rayan Cherki (90%)
Rayan Cherki would have been in the starting XI in any other gameweek, with his two goals in Man City’s win.
LW: Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
- Squawka Score: 87%
Pedro Neto scored one goal and created two chances from a new position at Chelsea, hitting the target with both of his shots. He scored have at at least one assist too, let down by his teammates’ finishing.
Honourable mention: Bukayo Saka (84%)
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal for Arsenal in their victory over Aston Villa, winning 12 duels.
ST: Erling Haaland (Man City)
- Squawka Score: 88%
Erling Haaland got his campaign up and running thanks to two goals against Crystal Palace. They came from five shots, three of which hit the target, despite not having much time on the ball. It was a trademark Haaland performance.
Honourable mention: Yoane Wissa (81%)
Yoane Wissa opened the scoring for Newcastle against Tottenham and won seven duels in the victory.