Son Heung-min and Bukayo Saka shine in the north London derby, a Man United stalwart thrives at Burnley and Newcastle stars run riot in eight-goal thumping… but who claims top spot in this week’s POWER RANKINGS?

• Manchester City continue to lead the Premier League table after another win
• Liverpool and Newcastle both picked up big wins in their respective matches 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Another week of Premier League football is behind us and it once again included drama, controversy, and late goals.

The top-flight was back in action and led by the thrilling North London Derby on Sunday afternoon, which saw Arsenal and Tottenham play out a 2-2 draw.

Meanwhile, league leaders Manchester City continued their perfect start to the league campaign with a comfortable victory over Nottingham Forest.

At the other end of the table, Newcastle secured a stunning 8-0 win over struggling Sheffield United – who still sit bottom of the standings. 

So, now the dust has settled, who features in Mail Sport‘s latest Power Rankings?

Manchester City made it six wins out of six after beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Saturday

Tottenham and Arsenal shared the spoils from the weekend’s north London derby clash

LAST WEEK’S TOP 10 RANKINGS

10. Moussa Diaby

9. Rodri

8. Son Heung-Min

7. Callum Hudson-Odoi

6. Declan Rice

5. Richarlison 

4. Pascal Gross

3. Mohamed Salah

2. James Ward-Prowse

1. Erling Haaland

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10 Jonny Evans (new entry)

On Saturday night, Jonny Evans made his first start for Manchester United since 2015. However, you wouldn’t have known that given his stellar performance. 

The 35-year-old defender put on a masterclass at the back for Erik ten Hag’s struggling Red Devils, as they cruised to a 1-0 victory over Burnley.

The former West Brom centre-back broke the deadlock early on before seeing his effort ruled out by VAR. 

However, shortly afterwards, he helped set up Bruno Fernandes’ winning strike with a beautiful floated ball in behind the defence. Rolling back the years.

Jonny Evans rolled back the years during Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Burnley

9 James Maddison (new entry)

Everything that James Maddison touches seems to turn to goals, at the moment. 

The Tottenham playmaker marked his first North London Derby appearance with two assists, as the rivals played out a 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon. 

For the first, Maddison spun around Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka before expertly pulling the ball back to Son Heung-Min in the penalty area.

And then, in the second-half, the ex-Leicester City star picked the pocket of Jorginho before setting up his South Korean team-mate once more. 

If his on-pitch performance wasn’t impressive enough, his comments poking fun at rival Saka certainly pleased the Tottenham fanbase.  

James Maddison picked up his fourth assist of the Premier League campaign against Arsenal

8 Bruno Guimaraes (new entry)

Another week in the Premier League and another standout performance from Newcastle’s midfield maestro.

After the arrival of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan this summer, many had suspected that Guimaraes could be outshone by his new midfield partner. 

However, the Italian’s arrival has simply lifted the performance levels of Guimaraes, who picked up a goal and an assist in their 8-0 demolition of Sheffield United. 

The standout showing comes just days after the 25-year-old reached a verbal agreement with the club over a new long-term contract.

Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has been a standout performer for Eddie Howe’s side

7 Kieran Trippier (new entry)

Hudson-Odoi could have been forgiven if he was feeling a little nervous ahead of making his debut for Nottingham Forest against Burnley on Monday night.

Following shortly after Bruno Guimaraes in this week’s POWER RANKINGS is his Magpies team-mate Kieran Trippier.

The England international also put on a scintillating display during their eight-goal win over a struggling Sheffield United side, picking up three assists on the night. 

In doing so, Trippier became only the second player in Premier League history to assist three headed goals in a single game – an impressive feat.

England full-back Kieran Trippier picked up three assist in their 8-0 win over Sheffield United

6 Kaoru Mitoma (new entry)

One of the talking points of pre-season was how Rice would adapt to playing in a side where he would be surrounded by better players with more emphasis on keeping the ball than there was in his West Ham days.

When Brighton signed Kaoru Mitoma back in 2021, few would have expected the Japanese international could have the impact that he has had in the south coast.

The 26-year-old caught attention after recording seven goals and five assists during the 2022-23 Premier League campaign and it’s clear that he’s brought that form into the new season. 

The Seagulls star made it three goals and three assists so far, after scoring a brace in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. 

Kaoru Mitoma scored a brace after coming off the bench in Brighton’s clash with Bournemouth

5 Ward-Prowse (down three)

When Declan Rice departed east London this summer, there were some concerns rising regarding the strength of West Ham’s midfield. 

However, their acquisition of James Ward-Prowse from Southampton has proved to be a brilliant bit of summer business. 

With three goals and two assists from his opening five games of the season, it’s clear to see why he’s been dominating our POWER RANKINGS in recent weeks.

However, after the Hammers suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, the former Saints captain has dropped significantly down our list. 

James Ward-Prowse failed to make an impact in West Ham’s recent 3-1 defeat to Liverpool

4 Bukayo Saka (new entry)

This weekend, all attention turned to north London ahead of the highly-anticipated derby between Tottenham and Arsenal. 

And, following the 2-2 draw, Gunners fans will have their academy graduate to thank for the hard-earned point – after his impressive brace.

Saka opened the scoring in the match with a terrific long-range effort which deflected of Spurs’ Cristian Romero and into the Tottenham net. 

He then restored the hosts’ lead, after they had been pegged back, in the second-half from the penalty spot. 

Bukayo Saka scored a brace in the north London derby as Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw

3 Son Heung-Min (up five)

We may never truly know if Salah wanted to leave Liverpool when the Saudi Pro League came knocking, but he’s not shown any signs of it since.

While Saka was thoroughly impressive during the north London derby, he still wasn’t the best winger on the pitch.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min also produced a brace on the day to earn his such a hard-earned point. 

With one neat finish in the first-half and a calmly taken effort in the second, the 31-year-old stepped up when his side truly needed him.

That’s five goals in six games as a striker for the South Korean, who has embraced his new-found responsibility under Ange Postecoglou.  

Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min (L) earned his side a point in their clash with the Gunners

2 Mohamed Salah (up one)

After a somewhat disappointing campaign for the Egyptian last season, Mohamed Salah has been quietly reminding everyone on his supreme talents. 

From six Premier League appearances, the 31-year-old has recorded three goals and four assists – after finding the back of the net in their 3-1 win over West Ham.

The former Roma and Chelsea star stepped up to the spot, after earning the penalty himself, to open the scoring on the afternoon. 

That’s two Player of the Match performance’s in a row for Salah, who will be hoping to continue his form when Liverpool travel to Spurs next weekend.  

Mohamed Salah won a penalty and converted it as Liverpool thrashed West Ham 3-1 on Sunday

1 Erling Haaland (non-mover)

Haaland returns to the top of the Power Rankings this week after netting his eighth goal in the Premier League campaign.

Unsurprisingly, the Norwegian leads the top goalscoring list for the 2023-24 season thus far, after continuing to impress for the Treble winners this season. 

In the first-half, the 23-year-old rose highest to meet a cross and power a thumping header into the back of the Nottingham Forest net. 

While some have suggested that Haaland has slowed down this year, his nine goal contributions from six appearances would suggest otherwise. 

Erling Haaland reclaims top spot after scoring a thumping header against Nottingham Forest

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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