Premier League Player Rankings After January 10-11 Fixtures: Matic, Cesc Fall
Welcome to the first 2015 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're taking into account New Year's Day and this past weekend when searching for impressive performers, and Chelsea's slightly off showings have caused a shake-up at the top of the pile. Get ready for some pretty major changes.
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
Dropping Out
Yannick Bolasie, Crystal Palace—he's at the Africa Cup of Nations, so there's not much point in him being in the top order for the time being.
Alan Hutton, Aston Villa—Villa have been pretty terrible recently. Even Hutton, their best player of the season so far, can't help.
Wilfried Bony, Swansea City—also at the AFCON.
20. Danny Ings, Burnley
2 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Danny Ings is a past top-20 inclusion but dropped when Burnley's form did. Now he's firing again, and those who watch him every week really do feel impressed with the 22-year-old's game.
He's a nice, all-round forward who is growing in confidence, leading the Clarets' line and, most importantly, scoring goals to match. He's up to six in the league, per WhoScored.
19. John Terry, Chelsea
3 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: -4
Chelsea's defence hasn't been entirely up to scratch recently, but John Terry is the constant at the back holding it together. Gary Cahill dropped to the bench for the win over Newcastle United, with Kurt Zouma taking his place.
The Magpies certainly had the home side on the ropes early on, and Terry, to be truthful, looked like he was in trouble. A great Petr Cech performance bailed him out.
18. Charlie Austin, Queens Park Rangers
4 of 21
Last Week: 18
Differential: -4
Charlie Austin bagged another goal from the penalty spot, taking his Premier League tally to 13 for the season, per WhoScored. Apart from that lone moment, though, he struggled to make an impact on the game.
What doesn't help is that Queens Park Rangers are dreadful away from home and fail to play the sort of game Austin thrives on. He moves down this week.
17. Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
5 of 21
Last Week: 18
Differential: +1
Hugo Lloris made three eye-catching stops as he tried his best to keep Tottenham Hotspur in the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but even his brilliance couldn't stop the Alan Pardew-inspired heroics to come in the second half.
That he conceded two shouldn't go against him—he had no chance for the penalty, and the second goal was expertly driven home after Kyle Walker had been smoked by Wilfried Zaha.
16. George Boyd, Burnley
6 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
George Boyd has been phenomenal for Burnley recently. He's found a consistent edge to his game that directly correlates with the Clarets' upturn in form.
Danny Ings and Ashley Barnes are profiting from his clever, creative work outside the box, and he's able to provide a goal threat from long range when Burnley are unable to break opposing sides down.
15. Graziano Pelle, Southampton
7 of 21
Last Week: 16
Differential: +1
No player in the Premier League has hit the woodwork more times than Graziano Pelle this season (five); even though he sometimes appears short of goals, he's always impacting in the final third.
He struck the post at Old Trafford in the second half, but fortunately his shot bounced back out for Dusan Tadic to steer home in style. Pelle, for some reason, is constantly penalised by referees for simply being stronger than every other defender.
14. Bojan, Stoke City
8 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: -5
Bojan was completely phased out of the game against Arsenal on Sunday, with Stoke dominated from start to finish and unable to get the ball into the Spaniard's possession to spark attacks.
The few chances he had to run at the Gunners ended in him losing the ball, with Francis Coquelin performing very well in the heart of the pitch.
13. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
9 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Harry Kane followed up his heroic New Year's Day performance at Stamford Bridge, in which he bagged two goals and an assist, with a goalscoring showing at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
His cool, low finish into the corner gave Tottenham Hotspur the lead. Unfortunately, his team deteriorated from a defensive standpoint late on and dropped all three points.
12. Santi Cazorla, Arsenal
10 of 21
Last Week: 20
Differential: +8
Santi Cazorla put on a stunning showing against Stoke City on Sunday, helping Alexis Sanchez in attack, shouldering some of the load and dazzling the visitors' midfield selection.
Breaking forward from central and deep positions, the Spaniard is finding consistency like in no other chapter of his Gunners career. May it continue!
11. Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool
11 of 21
Last Week: 13
Differential: +2
Philippe Coutinho quietly excelled once again during Liverpool's win over Sunderland, and while he may not get the national attention Lazar Markovic did for his goal, Reds fans know he was crucial once again.
The Brazilian was superb on the ball, available to receive and central to all attacks in the absence of Adam Lallana. His ability to retain possession and make good decisions under pressure is Andres Iniesta-esque at the moment.
10. Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton
12 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: -
Nathaniel Clyne's back in the Southampton XI, and the team look better for it; his return has enabled Ronald Koeman to restore a balanced back four when fielding his team.
The Englishman is known for his attacking platitude, but at Old Trafford showed he can be a dedicated defender for 90 minutes. His bravery in meeting wing-backs high up to stop the cross helped the team immensely.
9. David Silva, Manchester City
13 of 21
Last Week: 12
Differential: +3
David Silva had an electric first half for Manchester City against Everton, laying on at least three clear-cut chances for team-mates who disappointed in the finishing department.
He fizzled out a little bit in the second period, but once again outlined just how much damage he's capable of when playing in a free No. 10 role. Gareth Barry didn't stand a chance.
8. Stewart Downing, West Ham
14 of 21
Last Week: 8
Differential: -
Sam Allardyce continues to shuffle his pack, rotate his squad and change formation, but there's one constant: Stewart Downing's 7/10-or-better performances.
He picked up an assist for Andy Carroll's goal this weekend against Swansea City, sort of, and looked imperious in midfield once again. Travelling to the Liberty Stadium and earning points is a tough, tough assignment in 2014-15, and Downing was key to ensuring the Hammers took a share of the spoils.
7. Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea
15 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: -
Branislav Ivanovic took a while to get going like the rest of the Chelsea squad on Saturday, but his flank wasn't the one being tortured. Once momentum swung, he got forward a little more, providing his usual overlap threat in addition to a steely defensive presence.
The Serbian has stood the test of quality, time and endurance this season, fighting off the challenge of Filipe Luis. It's Cesar Azpilicueta who plays worriedly, not Ivanovic.
6. David de Gea, Manchester United
16 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: -2
There was only one shot on target in Southampton's win over Manchester United on Sunday, and it went straight past the outstretched claw of David de Gea and into the net.
Other than that, the Spaniard had nothing to do as the Saints defended for their lives and refused to push men forward to create chances.
5. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
17 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: -4
Nemanja Matic was not his dominant self once again; it's arguable the Serbian is in need of a little rest.
After being turned around by Tottenham Hotspur and Harry Kane on New Year's Day, Jack Colback and Co. ran rings around him in the first half at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
It's certainly not what we've come to expect.
4. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
18 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: -1
Cesc Fabregas' influence in midfield against Newcastle United was uncharacteristically muted. He and Nemanja Matic were swarmed early on, but where Matic recovered a little, Cesc seemed to simply grow more tired.
He still put himself about and created some openings in the second half, but it may be that Jose Mourinho looks at giving the Spaniard a little rest here and there to preserve him.
3. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
19 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: -1
We've spent months praising Eden Hazard's new-found consistency and ability to directly impact/win games here. That knack wholly disappeared against Newcastle United.
He was a shadow of his usual self, with Willian instead taking the limelight. Luckily, with Oscar and Diego Costa also excelling, his drop in form wasn't a problem for Chelsea, but he does slide down a place in our top 20.
2. Diego Costa, Chelsea
20 of 21
Last Week: 6
Differential: +4
Diego Costa reclaimed the crown of top Premier League goalscorer this weekend, netting his 15th, per WhoScored, to move ahead of Sergio Aguero in the standings.
He bagged We Ain't Got No History's Man of the Match award due to his relentless work ethic, pressing, harrying, all-round ability and, of course, the killer strike.
The inconsistent form of Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic allows the Spaniard to leapfrog them both.
1. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
21 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: +4
Alexis Sanchez was the star of the show on Sunday, netting two goals in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Stoke City. His first was a delightful near-post finish that flummoxed Asmir Begovic, his second a decidedly luckier effort that squeezed through a wall at a free-kick.
The dribbling threat he carried from the left flank rendered Geoff Cameron confused and tired; the Chilean continues to play at maximal tempo despite never taking a break.
