Premier League team of the week

Matchday 5 of the 2026/27 Premier League season produced enough shocks to wreck plenty of early assumptions.

Brighton beat Arsenal 3-0, Brentford swept Chelsea aside 3-0, while Coventry claimed a first top-flight win in 25 years. Manchester City survived Sunderland 5-3 after Brian Brobbey scored three times, and Manchester United escaped Fulham with a late 1-1 draw. Those results shaped the Premier League team of the week, with room for match-winners, busy defenders and attackers who changed games. The selection rewards decisive moments, rather than reputation, across a frantic weekend.

Goalkeeper and defenders

1. James Trafford, Leeds United

Trafford earns the gloves after keeping Crystal Palace scoreless in a 0-0 draw. Leeds needed his concentration throughout a tense contest, and his clean sheet preserved an unbeaten start.

2. Lewis Hall, Newcastle United

Hall produced one of the weekend’s clearest attacking contributions from defence. He struck in the seventh minute against Hull, following Joe Willock’s opener, then helped Newcastle protect a 2-1 victory after Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back.

3. Jannik Schuster, Brentford

Schuster gets the centre-back berth after Brentford shut Chelsea out in a 3-0 win. The Bees conceded little once they took charge after half-time, while Chelsea struggled to create a sustained response.

4. Jérémy Jacquet, Liverpool

Jacquet helped Liverpool record another clean sheet in a 1-0 win at Bournemouth. His defensive work gave Alexander Isak’s second-half strike a platform, while Liverpool extended their unbeaten start.

5. Pascal Groß, Brighton

Groß belongs here after Brighton dismantled Arsenal 3-0 at the Amex. He opened the scoring in the 31st minute and helped Brighton control the match as Arsenal struggled for rhythm.

Midfielders

6. Jaidon Anthony, Brentford

Anthony opened Brentford’s scoring against Chelsea in the 61st minute, breaking a stubborn deadlock. Brentford then added goals from Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho, turning a tight game into a statement victory.

7. Rayan Cherki, Manchester City

Cherki supplied one of City’s sharpest moments against Sunderland, scoring in the 29th minute. He linked well with City’s attack during an eight-goal thriller and gave the champions another route through a Sunderland side.

8. Jay Dasilva, Coventry City

Dasilva gets my midfield slot and the standout individual mention. He scored in the 55th minute at Nottingham Forest, giving Coventry a historic 1-0 victory and their first Premier League win in 25 years.

Forwards

9. Brian Brobbey, Sunderland

Brobbey scored three times at the Etihad and still left without a point. His goals in the 12th, 33rd and 59th minutes repeatedly dragged Sunderland level, making him the clearest losing-side inclusion.

10. Antoine Semenyo, Manchester City

Semenyo scored twice against Sunderland, with goals in the 43rd and 57th minutes. His finishing restored City’s advantage each time Sunderland threatened to swing the match.

11. Erling Haaland, Manchester City

Haaland completed the XI after scoring City’s fifth goal in the 81st minute. The finish ended Sunderland’s latest comeback attempt and kept City perfect after five league games.

That leaves my Premier League team of the week with an attacking feel, yet every selection earned its place through clear match contribution. Groß drove Brighton’s surprise win, Dasilva delivered Coventry’s historic moment, and Brobbey produced a hat-trick in defeat.

City supplied three forwards after their 5-3 thriller, while Hall and the Brentford defence added balance. For me, Dasilva takes the individual honour after a 55th-minute goal changed Coventry’s season and ended a 25-year wait for a Premier League victory.