Premier League Week 9: Top 5 performers

1. Xherdan Shaqiri and his lethal left foot

This man’s left foot is a prized possession. Shaqiri’s left foot single-handedly provided Stoke with a valuable three points on their travels to Hull. Shaqiri, by scoring two incredibly important goals for his team, continued where Joe Allen last week left off. What was more impressive, though, was the manner in which he scored them.

The first goal was a wonder strike that will probably be considered for goal of the season. He struck it pure and true, the ball flying into the top corner of the goal from about 25 yards in a flash. He must have known the second he struck it that the ball was goal-bound.

Shaqiri followed that stunner up with a 50th minute goal from a free-kick. It was also Shaqiri who drew the foul from Curtis Davies to set up the goal. He may have played for the free-kick but can you blame him after seeing what resulted from the dead ball situation?

Next: Premier League Week 9 roundtable

The 25-year-old Swiss struck the free kick with pace and whip, the ball getting up over the wall and down in a hurry. David Marshall, who cheated slightly to the right, had no chance make the save. Shaqiri, like elite players so often do, punished Hull for every mistake.

Stoke have yet another brilliant individual performance to thank for their recent rise up the Premier League ladder.