Premier League Player Rankings After Weekend of December 13-14
Welcome to the 16th edition of our Premier League player rankings, continuing for another season in its mission to quantify the form of England's top-tier players.
We pick the top 20 players on the basis of form and performances in league games only. We have a new No. 1 thanks to some superb consistency shown, and another Manchester United player makes the list.
The rankings are formed based on the player's last four games, with slightly more emphasis placed on his most recent outing.
Only Premier League performances are counted, and one-week wonders do not find their way in by default (see: David de Gea did not qualify in Week 7 for one great showing but now has after consistently strong form).
Take a look and see if you agree with our selections, and if you feel like we've missed anyone, let us know in the comments below.
Dropping out
1 of 21
Dusan Tadic—Nothing like confirming your drop in form than a penalty miss.
Danny Ings—Hasn't scored since his equaliser against Aston Villa at the end of November.
20. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
2 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Santi Cazorla, since being restored to the No. 10 role for Arsenal, has been shining. His performance this weekend, which included two goals—with one in particular catching the eye—earned him the Man of the Match selection.
The Spaniard's three goals and one assist over the last four games elevate him into our top 20.
19. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
3 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Wayne Rooney's been in fine fettle recently, and an excellent performance against Liverpool is enough to tip the scales and secure him passage to the top 20.
He played in flat central midfield and dominated Steven Gerrard and Co., sweeping home an opening goal in Frank Lampard-esque fashion and pouncing on mistakes all day.
He's either scored or assisted in each of his last four games.
18. Charlie Austin, Queens Park Rangers
4 of 21
Last Week: 14
Differential: -4
Charlie Austin was banned for Queens Park Rangers' loss to Everton on Monday night. The striker was red carded during his side's win over Burnley the preceding weekend.
17. Alan Hutton, Aston Villa
5 of 21
Last Week: 17
Differential: -
Alan Hutton was on the losing end of a Midlands derby on Saturday, but he himself played superbly. A candidate for Aston Villa's best player (again), the right-back held the right flank in check despite the team being reduced to 10 men.
He got forward far better than Aly Cissokho did and defended valiantly. Silvestre Varela gave Villa as a collective a tough time, but Hutton was confident and assured.
16. Mile Jedinak, Crystal Palace
6 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: -1
Mile Jedinak spent another afternoon doing what he does best: breaking up play, stopping opponents' attacks and tackling in the centre of the park.
He did, however, scuff a big chance on the edge of the box which could have seen Crystal Palace secure three points, so it wasn't one of the complete performances we've seen of late.
15. Graziano Pelle, Southampton
7 of 21
Last Week: 13
Differential: -2
Graziano Pelle will garner mixed reviews after his performance against Burnley, with some suggesting his hold-up play was good, while others suggest he was too isolated...again.
The Italian's confidence has been boosted after the goal vs. Manchester United last Monday night, but he barely troubled Tom Heaton. Ronald Koeman will be OK with Pelle's showing, but only because he has bigger problems (Dusan Tadic) to sort out.
14. Bojan, Stoke City
8 of 21
Last Week: 19
Differential: +5
Bojan impressed again during Stoke City's battling draw with Crystal Palace.
He was lively throughout and took plenty of touches, clearly feeling acclimated and happy in the English game. What impressed the most, though, was when he absolutely destroyed Scott Dann on the way to creating Peter Crouch's goal.
13. Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton
9 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: -3
Nathaniel Clyne's dip in form continued in conjunction with Southampton's, losing out 1-0 to Burnley. He nearly scored a golazo after a corner was only half cleared, but his shot flew off target.
His early campaign, filled with penetrative runs and dangerous crosses, is a distant memory at this stage. It's not his fault, but he hasn't been doing enough to help Saints get back on track.
12. Yannick Bolasie, Crystal Palace
10 of 21
Last Week: 16
Differential: +4
Yannick Bolasie was at his dazzling best again against Stoke City, ripping Phil Bardsley to shreds on the wing. WhoScored.com credited him with just two dribbles, but his impact on the sideline struck fear into the Potters' XI.
The Crystal Palace winger is set to enter the Christmas period in ferocious form; anyone facing the Eagles will have to game-plan for this wing wizard.
11. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
11 of 21
Last Week: 11
Differential: -
Branislav Ivanovic had another easy day's work on Saturday, with Hull initially attempting to attack but ultimately failing to penetrate with short passes that broke down.
The Serbian got forward a little and entered the Tigers' box on a couple of occasions, but ultimately wasn't needed and certainly wasn't tested defensively.
10. Wilfried Bony, Swansea City
12 of 21
Last Week: 12
Differential: +2
Wilfried Bony struggled to finish on Sunday afternoon; if he had been in a clinical mood, Swansea City could have taken a 5-1 lead into half-time.
The Ivorian tortured Federico Fazio and Co. in defence with his immense movement, and had it not been for Hugo Lloris, Spurs would have been in a hole early on.
Bony did grab one goal so he moves up, but it could have been so much more.
9. Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton
13 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: -5
Morgan Schneiderlin's injury woes continue, with the Frenchman missing yet another game this weekend. Southampton lost to Burnley 1-0.
He did return for the Capital One Cup clash against Sheffield United, though, so he could be set to return in the Premier League, too.
8. Diego Costa, Chelsea
14 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: +1
Diego Costa is far from "back," but his form is improving after a slightly rough period post-injury. Jose Mourinho is playing him into form, and the Spaniard picked up a crucial goal midway through the second half, finishing the game at 2-0.
It's a welcome boost to Costa's stock, who had been slipping alarmingly in previous weeks.
7. Stewart Downing, West Ham United
15 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: -
Stewart Downing was in the thick of the action once again this weekend, emerging as one of West Ham United's best players in a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light.
He totalled 61 touches, second only to Alex Song on his team, per WhoScored.com, and scored his side's equalising goal soon after Jordi Gomez had given the hosts the lead.
6. Oscar, Chelsea
16 of 21
Last Week: 6
Differential: -
Oscar picked up a lovely assist for Eden Hazard's goal, firing in a fantastic cross early on to help Chelsea to a lead. It was reminiscent—much how the entire game was, in parts—of his cross against West Bromwich Albion for Diego Costa's goal.
For the rest of the game, he did struggle a little—again similar to recent weeks—and we've recognised that in moving him down in past editions, but here the assist is enough to keep him afloat.
5. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
17 of 21
Last Week: 8
Differential: +3
Alexis Sanchez didn't steal the show as usual vs. Newcastle United, but he did chime in with two assists to bring his creative numbers up a little.
It was refreshing to see Arsenal win without leaning solely on this Chilean star, but that doesn't mean he didn't contribute his share and excel on the day.
4. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
18 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: -1
Cesc Fabregas served a suspension this weekend, therefore missing Chelsea's victory over Hull City. He returned to action in a Man of the Match performance against Derby County in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
3. David de Gea, Manchester United
19 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: +2
David de Gea was in remarkable form on Sunday, thwarting Raheem Sterling and Co. on multiple occasions and refusing to relent under pressure. His eye-catching stops were all one vs. one scenarios, and he tipped one firm shot from Mario Balotelli onto the bar.
Clearly the form 'keeper in the Premier League this season, the Spaniard is forcing many to re-evaluate their opinions on him.
2. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
20 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: -1
Nemanja Matic was his usual dominant self against Hull City, controlling the midfield with ease—what else is new?
The Serbian barely reached second gear due to the Tigers having a man sent off. As the visitors' attacks tailed off, he became less of a factor, but don't confuse that with a poor performance.
Matic's consistency is crazy.
1. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
21 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: +1
Eden Hazard played another marvellous game of football on Saturday and takes top spot off colleague Nemanja Matic as a result. It's a richly deserved accomplishment for a very consistent player.
Put simply, he destroyed yet another team. Ahmed Elmohamady and the rest of Hull City's defenders stood no chance as he pierced through them at will.
For long periods of last season, we questioned Hazard's impact on games, and he's impressing in delivering the killer blow now. Fair play.
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