The 2026/27 Premier League season is trucking along and we’re now four gameweeks deep.
It was a big weekend of action with the Manchester derby won by Manchester City — a game embroiled in controversy. There were also big wins for Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United.
But Nottingham Forest were the stars of the weekend, with three players in our Squawka Score Team of the Week for Gameweek 4. Brighton did still have two players involved — including the Star of the Week — as did Ipswich Town and Arsenal.
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: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
- Squawka Score: 85%
Despite a 5-0 win for Brighton, Bart Verbruggen didn’t have the easiest of games against Coventry City. The Dutchman still had to make six saves, including some crucial ones. He prevented 1.65 goals against the Sky Blues, the second-most of any goalkeeper this weekend. Verbruggen also made two claims and completed 83% of his passes.
Honourable mention: Matz Sels (85%)
Matz Sels came a close second for his performance between the sticks this weekend. He made five saves but did concede one goal, while completing 71% of his passes.
RB: Daniel Munoz (Nottingham Forest)
- Squawka Score: 76%
Daniel Munoz was instrumental in Nottingham Forest’s win over Aston Villa, at both ends of the pitch. He created four chances, one of which was a big chance, and had four touches in the opposition box. But Munoz also made four tackles, three clearances and won possession three times in the defensive third. Despite not keeping a clean sheet, the Colombian was on top form.
Honourable mention: Matheus Nunes (76%)
Matheus Nunes won all five of his duels against Manchester United, and was a rock defensively. He made eight ball recoveries, three block and five clearances to help keep a clean sheet.
CB: Tarik Muharemovic (Leeds)
- Squawka Score: 83%
Tarik Muharemovic was unfortunate to see his Leeds side concede late on against Newcastle United. But that doesn’t take away from his performance. The centre-back made an impressive eight clearances at Elland Road and was part of a defence to face just three shots. He won possession three times in the defensive third, won 100% of his ground duels and even provided an assist. What a performance.
Honourable mention: Antonio (78%)
Antonio was a busy man for Bournemouth with six clearances and four interceptions, as well as 10 progressive passes.
CB: Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
- Squawka Score: 79%
Our second Nottingham Forest defender, Murillo won possession three times in the defensive third and three times in the middle third against Aston Villa. He won two twckles and even made one interception in his own box. Murillo was key in getting the ball back and even when he couldn’t, the Brazilian made eight clearances.
Honourable mention: Jeremy Jacquet (77%)
It was another strong performance for Jeremy Jacquet, with the French centre-back winning eight of his nine duels against Fulham.
LB: Leif Davis (Ipswich)
- Squawka Score: 86%
Ipswich edged a thrilling game against Crystal Palace, seeling a 3-2 win. Leif Davis was at the heart of that win, scoring and providing an assist. This was very much about his offensive display, with three touches in the opposition box and one successful pass into the penalty area.
Honourable mention: Andy Robertson (73%)
Despite Tottenham Hotspur‘s goalless draw against Everton, Andy Robertson tried his best with two chances created including one big chance, alongside six passes into the box.
CM: Pascal Gross (Brighton)
- Squawka Score: 90%
The best performance the week, Pascal Gross was directly involved in three of Brighton’s five goals against Coventry. He ran the show from midfield, with six chances created in total and 84 passes — completing 94% of them. Gross scored a penalty and prodived two assists, but also won two tackles and two aerial duels.
Honourable mention: Kobbie Mainoo (77%)
Kobbie Mainoo completed 97% of his passes in the Manchester derby, including 24 final-third passes. But he also made two interceptions and nine ball recoveries.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Squawka Score: 84%
Declan Rice was another creative midfielder flexing their muscles this week, helping Arsenal to their 2-0 win over Sunderland. He set up Bruno Guimarae’s goal with one of his three chances created, one of which was a big chance. Rice also made two passes into the penalty area and won 100% of his duels.
Honourable mention: Reece James (76%)
Once again playing out of position, Reece James made nine passes into the box for Chelsea, completing 94% of his total attempts.
RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Squawka Score: 74%
Bukayo Saka wrapped up Arsenal’s win over Sunderland with his late penalty, which he also won. The Englishman had four shots in total, three of which hit the target, posting 1.29 Expected Goals. He remains Arsenal’s biggest threat right now, with five touches in the opposition box, as well as six duels won.
Honourable mention: John McGinn (73%)
John McGinn played his part in Aston Villa’s first league goal of the season, setting up Alysson against Nottingham Forest. It was one of two chances the Scot created.
No.10: Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
- Squawka Score: 81%
Morgan Gibbs-White was at his best for Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa. He provided 0.94 Expected Assists and set up Igor Jesus for the winning goal. That was one of seven chances Gibbs-White created on Saturday, with three being big chances. He played one through-ball and also had two shots himself, one of which hit the target.
Honourable mention: Cole Palmer (81%)
Cole Palmer created three chances in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Hull City, two of which were big chances. That includes one assist, with Palmer setting up Joao Pedro for Chelsea’s point-saving equaliser.
LW: Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth)
- Squawka Score: 82%
Marcus Tavernier was a big threat for Bournemouth in their draw with Brentford. The Englishman scored their second goal and had four shots, three of which hit the target. He also created four chances, with two big chances, and made eight passes into the box. But Tavernier also did his bit in winning the ball back, with five bal recoveries.
Honourable mention: Kevin Schade (80%)
On the other side of the fixture, Kevin Schade scored both of Brentford’s goals with his two shots, posting 0.22 xG.
ST: Emersonn (Ipswich)
- Squawka Score: 89%
Despite only playing 63 minutes, Emersonn was crucial to Ipswich’s win over Crystal Palace. He scored their first equaliser and set up Leif Davis’ goal to put the Tractor Boys 2-1 up at half-time. Emersonn posted 0.44 xG from there shots, and created one big chance. He was a constant nuisance during his time on the pitch, with seven touches in the opposition box. That’s very impressive.
Honourable mention: Joao Pedro (85%)
Joao Pedro was directly involved in both of Chelsea’s goals against Hull, setting up Morgan Rogers for the opener and netting the equaliser.