Premier League Player Rankings: Toure, Giroud and Sturridge Shine
Welcome to the latest edition of our Premier League player rankings, where we order the top 10 players on form in England's top tier.
We have a new No. 1 in town, and it's a richly deserved accomplishment. That change has sent a ricochet down the rankings, and there are very few who retain their positions.
Who joins Jordan Henderson, a newcomer to the top 10, in our elite selection? Have a look inside!
Dropping out / Honourable Mentions
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Dropping Out
Per Mertesacker, perhaps harshly, slides out of the top 10 temporarily. Emmanuel Adebayor also slips out (previously ranked eighth) after a poor showing at Carrow Road.
Honourable Mentions
There were plenty of star performers we had to leave out this week.
John Terry is back in the lineup, so he's close. David de Gea has been strong recently, while Wilfried Bony is constantly impressing.
Elsewhere, Raheem Sterling's influence waned a little on Sunday, and it's harmed his stock with us.
10. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
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Last Week: New!
Movement: New!
It hasn't taken long, has it?
Nemanja Matic has settled instantly and become a force in Chelsea's midfield. He's physically dominant, technically talented and very efficient with the ball at his feet.
A player with such size should not be able to move the way he does.
9. Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
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Last Week: New!
Movement: New!
Any Liverpool fan will tell you the unsung hero of the side is Jordan Henderson.
His two-goal display against Swansea City will draw him deserved attention, but it's his industrious surges and high pressing that impress the most.
He's been playing superbly for more than a month.
8. Kevin Nolan, West Ham United
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Last Week: 10
Movement: +2
Incredibly, West Ham United have won four games in a row to lift themselves clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Kevin Nolan has been key to this form—what would Sam Allardyce have done without him?—and he scored his fifth goal in four games against Southampton at the weekend.
7. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
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Last Week: 5
Movement: -2
Steven Gerrard drops convincingly here after failing to impact the game against Swansea City.
Jordan Henderson excelled, while Joe Allen came on to salvage the midfield battle, drawing the spotlight onto the unspectacular job the skipper did.
He'll have better days.
6. Yaya Toure, Manchester City
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Last Week: 7
Movement: +1
Yaya Toure did very little other than recycle the ball for the first 69 minutes against Stoke City, but a second-half substitution freed him up.
Javi Garcia came on and set Toure loose. A minute later, the Ivorian scored the winning goal by converting an Aleksandar Kolarov pass.
5. Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
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Last Week: 6
Movement: +1
Olivier Giroud ended a three-game barren streak by bagging an early brace against Sunderland on Saturday.
His all-round game was up to scratch after sitting out two weeks following off-field allegations. His return to form bodes very well for Arsenal ahead of the return leg with Bayern Munich.
4. Gary Cahill, Chelsea
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Last Week: 4
Movement: None
Gary Cahill was magnificent once again for Chelsea this weekend.
The Blues defence had to hold firm as Everton dominated the ball for long stretches, and the Englishman was imperious both aerially and on the ground.
It's par for the course with Cahill this season.
3. Luis Suarez, Liverpool
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Last Week: 2
Movement: -1
Luis Suarez was serviceable, but not fantastic, against Swansea City on Sunday.
When Liverpool score four, you expect the Uruguayan to be in among the goals. However, that wasn't the case. Instead, Suarez settled for an assist on Daniel Sturridge's second goal.
He was snatching at his shots and never took control of the game.
2. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
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Last Week: 1
Movement: -1
Seamus Coleman essentially bottled up Eden Hazard Saturday afternoon.
The Belgian now carries heavy expectations thanks to some wonderful form this season, but he failed to make any sort of impact at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea snuck a win.
Better weeks ahead for the former Lille man.
1. Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool
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Last Week: 3
Movement: +2
We have a new No. 1 this week, and he goes by the name of Daniel Sturridge.
Liverpool's attack bailed out their defence once again, and this England international scored two crucial goals. For his first, he rounded Michel Vorm and converted. Later, he ghosted into the box unmarked to head a Luis Suarez cross home.
A game-winning display.
