Premier League 2018/19: 5 poorest performances from the weekend

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The Premier League left a telling effect on the football circle before it took a backseat for the international break. There was a flurry of goals, errors, upsets and mouth-watering action.

Four teams went into the game week with a 100% record, but only three came out with the same as Spurs were stung by the Hornets by 2-1 on Sunday evening. Chelsea continued their remarkable run under Sarri by beating Bournemouth and Liverpool held on to a 2-1 lead against Leicester City.

The Saturday goal rush saw grueling encounters between Fulham and Brighton, who shared the points. Huddersfield salvaged a draw at Goodison Park, while Southampton claimed their first league victory. Wolves rubbed salt into West Ham’s wounds by snatching a last-gasp winner.

Meanwhile, normal services were resumed at Manchester City, who got the better of Newcastle. On Sunday, Unai Emery picked up his first away win in the Premier League as his Arsenal side pipped Cardiff City. Finally, a brace from Romelu Lukaku saw Manchester United beat a struggling Burnley side.

Here, we discuss the players who underachieved and let their teams down with poor performances. Here are the 5 worst players from the fourth round of fixtures.

#5 Alisson Becker

Alisson reminded the Liverpool supporters of their recent goalkeeper problems by committing a freakish error on Saturday. The Brazilian shot-stopper went into the game without having conceded a goal, in a rich vein of form.

Since his PL debut, Alisson seemed to have the answers to everything. Against the Foxes, Van Dijk played a poor back pass to him, for which he had to cover some ground. He did reach the ball comfortably, but instead of clearing his lines, he attempted a cheeky dribble.

Unfortunately for him, he lost possession and the ball ultimately fell in the back of the net after another pass.

#4 Toby Alderweireld

Widely regarded as one the best center-backs in PL, Alderweireld had a shocker of a performance against Watford. Spurs lost the game, and the Belgian was at fault for one of the goals.

He completed the first half of the game with a neat performance. In the second period, he struggled big time. Firstly, he almost scored a careless own goal as his header hit the frame of the goal. Next, the 29-year-old was unchallenged before Cathcart scored the winner. He then completely switched off and allowed the Watford man to score a header.

This lapse in concentration is not acceptable for a defender of his grade, during such an important game, in such a tight situation.

#3 Petr Cech

Another goalkeeper features on our list this week. First things first, Cech’s reflexes and positional senses are degrading. Not only in this game, but over the entire month, the former Chelsea man has not found his best form yet.

If his passing is taken into account, the 36-year-old put up a horror show. His first poor pass was straight to Harry Arter, who fluffed his chance. Had Cardiff scored, pressure would have mounted on Arsenal. Recklessly, he misplaced a couple of passes more and thereby, started attacks for the Bluebirds.

Is Petr Cech really the man for Emery’s system, where the ball is supposed to be played out from the back?

#2 Jeff Hendrick

Manchester United dominated and demolished a hapless Burnley side in a 2-0 victory. The main reasons for Burnley’s loss included poor pressing, lack of coordination at the back and the absence of creativity and urgency while going forward.

One man to blame was Jeff Hendrick. Deployed at his favoured number 10 role, he sucked the pace out of the game and offered little or no threat while going forward. He often came out of his lines to create something, but did nothing more than play a simple pass.

Hendrick didn’t work hard enough either. He was in deeper positions trying to defend, but his speed to convert defence into attack was rather slow. Also, he lacked innovation from central positions.

#1 Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke is arguably suffering from one of the darkest patches of his career. Sadly, none of his shots seem to beat the opposition keeper.

Palace went into the game against Southampton without their heartbeat in Wilfried Zaha. The onus was on Benteke to supply the goals and help his side to a home win. Instead, he kept missing the easiest of chances.

His first miss came on the back of poor judgement by the Saints’ keeper, who came out of his lines to punch the ball away, but failed to do so. The ball fell to Benteke, but the Belgian shot wide. Later, he was fed by McArthur for a free header. From three-four yards out, the striker failed to score.

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