Premier League matchweek 27: Hazard, Kane and Aguero dominate

Premier League matchweek 27 featured plenty of excellent performances. These were the three that stood out.

There was no shortage of quality performances over the weekend, as Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino gave Southampton a lesson in clinical finishing, Mousa Dembele was back to his best in the north London derby and Jamaal Lascelles and Martin Dubravka led Newcastle to victory over Manchester United, to name only a few. In keeping up with the Olympic spirit, here’s a look at the podium of this week’s top performers.

Eden Hazard’s brace worthy of match week Bronze

This was a game Chelsea needed to win in order to restore some semblance of confidence heading into their Champions League round of 16 tie against Barcelona and, more importantly, to keep pace in the battle for a top four spot.

Once again, Eden Hazard delivered the goods. The Belgian opened his scoring account by linking up with new addition Olivier Giroud before slotting home, and followed it up with a beauty of a shot from the edge of the box that sealed the win for the Blues in the second half.

Two goals against last-place West Brom may not seem that impressive, but considering the quality of the finishing as well as the delicate situation the club is in and the timing of this particular win, it was a performance that deserves a place on this week’s podium.

Silver for Harry Kane, Spurs golden boy

Harry Kane continues his series of tantalizing performances this season, this time scoring the winning goal against Arsenal in the north London derby. The goal takes Kane to 23 goals for the season, placing him atop the Premier League goalscoring charts. Given the magnitude of the moment and the importance of the goal in deciding the local derby, Kane receives bonus points and makes this week’s podium.

On top of the importance of the occasion itself, Kane’s goal was a majestic individual effort. The Spurs and England golden boy rose way over Laurent Koscielny and sent home the winner. You’d be hard pressed to find a better header. It was textbook finishing by Kane, who timed his jump perfectly and met the ball at the highest point of his jump to head it past a hopeless Petr Cech and single-handedly (or headedly) earning Tottenham bragging rights in north London.

Have a look below.

Golden Boy of the Week: Sergio Aguero

In the shuffle of world-class talent in the Manchester City ranks, it’s sometimes easy to overlook how great of a player Sergio Aguero is. In a season that has seen City break all kinds of records, most of the accolades have been reserved for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling well and Pep Guardiola’s masterful tactics.

It took four goals from Aguero to put him right back in the spotlight as one of the best forwards in the Premier League this decade. The diminutive Argentine is now third in goals scored this season with 21, but a clear first in terms of scoring efficiency with a goal scored every 85 minutes (for context, Mohamed Salah is second with a goal every 93 minutes, while every other striker excepting Harry Kane — 97 minutes per goal — needs well over 100 minutes for each score).

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Aguero’s efficiency was on full, glorious display as he bagged every chance he had, whether it was the result of brilliant, quick service from De Bruyne or a gift from Kasper Schmeichel.

Aguero’s clinical finishing has him in very select company. He’s now one of only four players to score at least 20 goals four seasons in a row alongside Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Kane.