Premier League Player Power Rankings: Sturridge & Toure Rise, Baines & Ozil Fall
Welcome to another edition of our weekly Premier League player power rankings, where we find the in-form players so you don't have to.
There's one new entry on the back of an excellent three weeks, while there are five players waiting in the wings, desperate to breach the top 10.
Inside the top 10 there's plenty of movement from last week's standings, so what are you waiting for? Get in there and take a look!
On the Bubble
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Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
The Frenchman drops out of our rankings for the first time this season after a poor performance (from the entire defensive unit) against West Ham United, losing 3-0 at home.
Morgan Amalfitano, West Bromwich Albion
He's lighting up the Premier League and looks another inspired loan signing from Steve Clarke. He registered an assist for Claudio Yacob's goal against Arsenal this weekend.
Loic Remy, Newcastle United
Remy is a goalscorer, so it's no surprise to see him scoring braces every week. He's a more complete player than many give him credit for.
Luis Suarez, Liverpool
Two appearances, three goals. One more elite showing and the Uruguayan will enter our rankings.
Kolo Toure, Liverpool
He was mixing it with the best before his injury and has performed admirably since returning—especially against Sunderland the weekend before last.
10. Leandro Bacuna, Aston Villa
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Last Week: N/A
Movement: New!
In Leandro Bacuna's last three games, he's shut down livewire Nathan Redmond, assisted and scored in a victory over Manchester City and kept a clean sheet against Hull City at the KC Stadium.
The Dutchman earned a starting spot at the expense of Matthew Lowton earlier in the season and grabbed the chance with both hands. He's hungry for success, never stops running and possesses flawless dead-ball technique.
9. Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
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Last Week: 8
Movement: -1
Mesut Ozil is the first of three Arsenal players in our rankings to have suffered a bit of an off day at the Hawthorns on Sunday.
The German saw plenty of the ball, had a few nice touches and put in a pretty decent defensive shift, but he failed to pull the strings offensively and drops a little as a result.
He should come back from international duty with his nation safely through to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, after which he can concentrate on Norwich at home.
8. Leighton Baines, Everton
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Last Week: 7
Movement: -1
Leighton Baines was 100 percent nullified by Pablo Zabaleta and James Milner on Saturday afternoon as Everton fell to their first defeat of the season.
It speaks volumes of the threat he carries that Manuel Pellegrini opted to place a man on him at all times in an attempt to limit his influence, and the most the former Wigan Athletic man could come up with was defensive contributions and a foolish offside.
7. Dejan Lovren, Southampton
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Last Week: 10
Movement: +3
Another week, another clean sheet for Dejan Lovren and his Southampton defensive line. No big deal.
The Saints have conceded just two goals in the Premier League this season and kept the slate blank against Liverpool, Swansea, West Ham and Crystal Palace.
Artur Boruc had a big hand in helping his side to a victory over Michael Laudrup's Swans this weekend, but the contributions of Lovren should not be overlooked—especially with the aimless Danny Fox on his left.
6. Yaya Toure, Manchester City
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Last Week: 9
Movement: +3
The pass Yaya Toure executed for Alvaro Negredo's equaliser against Everton on Saturday...wow, just wow.
It was a no-look, scything ball played between James McCarthy's legs at the perfect angle, allowing his Spanish colleague to nip in and squeeze a finish past Tim Howard.
It capped a remarkable few weeks in the Premier League for the Ivorian, and although he didn't continue his scoring streak, he was instrumental once again.
5. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
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Last Week: 5
Movement: None
Wayne Rooney was uncharacteristically quiet at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
Was it an average performance or was he overshadowed by a certain Belgian-Albanian with Kosovan-Turkish heritage? A bit of both as far as we can tell, but the vigour, commitment and hunger was still there.
Roll on Southampton at home.
4. Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
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Last Week: 3
Movement: -1
Olivier Giroud's mini goal drought won't be of concern to Arsenal fans, as they know he's getting in the right positions and his contributions to the buildup play are improving with each week.
With a slick touch and excellent understanding of the system in place, the Frenchman will continue to the be the focal point of the Gunners' moves as he interlinks superbly with the attacking midfielders on the roster.
3. Ross Barkley, Everton
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Last Week: 3
Movement: None
Everton hardly covered themselves in glory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, but bright sparks emerged sporadically throughout the side.
It won't surprise you to hear Ross Barkley was one of those, with Romelu Lukaku and Phil Jagielka the other two on show.
Barkley continues his lightning-fast maturation and adaption to men's football.
2. Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool
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Last Week: 4
Movement: +2
The return of Luis Suarez has revved up Daniel Sturridge's scoring boots, with the Englishman netting in successive games since the Uruguayan began taking to the field once again.
Sturridge is now key to England's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup and stands to start in Brazil should Roy Hodgson's men make it, so it'll be interesting to see how he handles that pressure.
1. Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
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Last Week: 1
Movement: None (three consecutive weeks atop the rankings)
Aaron Ramsey is perceived to have underperformed at the Hawthorns, but that's down to the sky-high standards he's set to start the season.
He wasn't his usual self, but neither were Arsenal as a team, and he's built up enough stock over the past month to remain in top spot despite a 6/10 showing.
With Olivier Giroud also underwhelming and Ross Barkley treading water, the Welshman was the clear pick.
