On Matchday 2, there were many impressive scorelines and results. Brighton defeated Manchester United 3-2, whilst Manchester City hit six past Huddersfield. This article takes a look at the goalscoring heroics of Glenn Murray assisted by teammate Antony Knockaert, the new freekick specialist Kieran Trippier, as well as Ricardo Pereira’s impressive start at Leicester City.
Premier League’s Underrated Players
Glenn Murray
Murray was first to start the scoring at the Amex stadium, with a deft flick past David de Gea. It was an excellent finish that started off the beginning of a bad day for Manchester United. But, take no credit away from Brighton. Their fantastic performance was helped by the likes of Murray’s goalscoring. Since moving from Crystal Palace, Murray transferred to Bournemouth, before going out on loan to Brighton. He then made the deal permanent this season. With the goal he scored, a nonchalant chipped flick, diverting a cross into the bottom right corner from the left side of the goal, he is definitely showing his worth to the club.
So far he has notched 35 goals for the club across 80 Premier League and Championship appearances. This is a decent record indeed. It is also a record that goes unnoticed by most. Sure, Murray is not a world-beating striker, but nevertheless, he is a good goalscorer who consistently contributes a decent haul to each of his clubs.
Anthony Knockaert
The next candidate for the most underrated player is Murray’s teammate, Anthony Knockaert. The Frenchman has been a useful player for Brighton in the past two years. Infamous for his promotion squandering penalty miss against Watford with Leicester, he finally reached the Premier League last year. He grabbed three goals and one assist. Now he has already matched his assists.
A player with great skill, dribbling and a wicked cross, he is yet to really impress at the highest level of the English game. But, he was the first to pounce on a loose ball in the box, sliding it for Shane Duffy to finish. Again, he was a big help in his team’s famous win against United.
Kieran Trippier
What a marvellous transformation Trippier has begun. From second choice Spurs right-back, he battled his way into the Spurs side and then had a fantastic World Cup. Now he has scored another scintillating free-kick after notching an assist in the first match. It is so exciting to have such a quality wing-back in the squad. Usually, this position is overlooked, often with uninspiring defenders who are too fearful to really contribute in attack. Trippier is the opposite. His crossing ability is one of the best in the league. It is this dangerous ability to deliver the ball that creates such an effective outlet for Spurs out wide.
In terms of the free-kick, it was akin to the goal he scored against Croatia. He was at least 30 yards from goal, firing the ball into the bottom left of the goal. Spurs took the lead and then never looked back from this point. This was a rallying moment for the team. Trippier has never had the limelight, but this season he could establish himself as a big name in the Premier League.
Ricardo Domingos Barbosa Pereira
In two starts, Pereira has two assists. One against Manchester United and this week against Wolves. This is a great opening display from the new Leicester City signing. It was a great surging run forward, Pereira driving at the Wolves defence. He collides with a defender but just manages to slip the ball to James Maddison beforehand, who scores with a deflected finish.
This was a full-back targeted by the likes of Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. Instead, Leicester managed to secure his signature from Porto. Already, he looks like a fantastic Premier League signing. At 24, he has so much to give to the Premier League and indeed to Leicester. He is definitely one to watch in the coming weeks and months of this new exciting season.
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