Alex Iwobi’s place atop our rankings is in danger after the last round of English top-flight games…does he hold on to top spot?
Alex Iwobi has set the pace in the season’s early weeks and faced fierce competition over the last round of games.
Emmanuel Dennis finally got his first Nottingham Forest goal at the City Ground, but how high does he rise?
In GOAL’s updated power rankings for 2022-23, we assess the Nigerians who featured in the latest round of games.
- Eberechi Eze
A stunning winning goal to complete Crystal Palace’s comeback against Leeds sees Eze supplant Iwobi.
Playing as one of the free 8’s in Patrick Vieira’s 4-3-3, the midfielder did not dodge responsibility in front of the Selhurst Park crowd, carrying a threat with the ball and putting in the hard yards without possession.
No player outdid Eze’s 17 ball recoveries — a joint-high for the Eagles — showing his knack for regaining possession of loose balls.
On a day that Leeds players routinely fouled Eze, keeping his composure to score expertly was admirable.
Iwobi is finally overtaken…but for how long?
- Alex Iwobi
The Everton man is knocked off the top of our rankings!
Despite scoring a stunning goal — his first from outside the box in his Premier League career — the midfielder’s error led to Manchester United’s winning goal.
He recovered to have a commendable game, but it is not enough for Iwobi whose grip on top spot is finally released.
- Michael Olise
Only one Crystal Palace player outdid Olise’s four shot-creating actions in the 2-1 turnaround win over Leeds United.
The playmaker set up the Eagles’ leveller and was positive in possession until his 84th-minute substitution.
Olise moves to third spot this week.
- Dominic Solanke
Solanke’s involvement in both Bournemouth goals — direct contribution for the second — sees him rise from sixth spot this week.
The forward’s harrying of Leicester City’s Wout Faes was commendable for the Cherries’ equaliser and his headed assist for Ryan Christie’s goal turned the game around for the 2-1 success.
- Joe Aribo
The Southampton man was guilty of losing runners or failing to press at times in last Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing at Manchester City.
He will be pleased to finally be getting minutes as one of the number 10s in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2 approach, nonetheless.
Aribo does not hold on to his previous position in third.
- Emmanuel Dennis
Even though Dennis was intermittently erratic in possession, his goal helped to secure Nottingham Forest a point against Aston Villa as it ended 1-1 at the City Ground.
It was the striker’s first since signing from Watford and he climbs after several weeks in 11th.
- Tosin Adarabioyo
It was a torrid afternoon for Fulham who felt hard done by with the refereeing decisions in their 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham United.
Adarabioyo has been part of the defence that has let in seven goals in successive gameweeks, although the centre-back cannot be blamed for the failings of the collective.
In possession, though, the defender’s inclination to be positive has been a positive for Marco Silva despite consecutive losses.
- Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi played no part in Leicester City’s 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth, thus causing this week’s fall from fifth. - Kelechi Iheanacho
‘Seniorman’ got an 11-minute cameo as Leicester City chased a point against Bournemouth. The forward got only three touches and he inevitably drops a spot. - Taiwo Awoniyi
Awoniyi was an unused substitute in Nottingham Forest’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, seeing his place effectively taken by countryman Emmanuel Dennis.
The former Union Berlin striker falls this week.
- Frank Onyeka
Onyeka cannot seem to get more than 20 to 30-minute cameos this season, and this continued in Brentford’s 5-1 thrashing by Newcastle United where he was introduced for the final 28 minutes.
The midfielder’s total game time this season stands at 129 minutes in six appearances.
- Malcolm Ebiowei
The Crystal Palace wide attacker has not played since the opening weekend, failing to come off the bench again in Palace’s 2-1 comeback win over Leeds United on Sunday.
