A compact midweek schedule left Premier League sides playing three games in seven days, producing surprise results and notable individual displays. Using FotMob’s match ratings, these five performances from Gameweek 15 stood out.

Anthony Gordon influenced Newcastle United’s 2–1 win over ten-man Burnley on Saturday. Newcastle’s victory was routine for long periods, aside from a nervy spell after Burnley were awarded a spot kick, and Gordon was central to the attack. He scored from the penalty spot, completed more dribbles (3) than anyone on the pitch, hit the woodwork twice and created two chances. His showing even managed to outshine teammate Bruno Guimarães.

Xavi Simons provided Tottenham Hotspur with a goal and an assist against Brentford. Simons supplied a pinpoint cross for Richarlison’s tap-in opener, then produced a composed solo finish. He recovered possession in his own half, robbed Brentford, sped into the penalty area and slid the ball beyond Caoimhín Kelleher. The result will give Tottenham optimism that Simons can build momentum after a quiet start to English football.

Hugo Ekitiké was one bright figure in Liverpool’s 3–3 draw with Leeds United. Starting ahead of Alexander Isak, the French forward troubled Leeds throughout and made decisive contributions in the second half. He capitalised on a misplaced pass from Joe Rodon to score into the bottom corner, and then converted Conor Bradley’s cross with the aid of a ricochet off Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri.

Rayan Cherki produced an eye-catching performance in Manchester City’s 3–0 win over Sunderland. Limited earlier by an early-season injury, he displayed a range of flicks and tricks and provided a rabona assist for Phil Foden. He also registered a second assist that owed much to Rúben Dias’s long-range effort. Cherki completed more dribbles (5) and created more chances (6) than any other player on the pitch, and he played a key role in breaking down Sunderland’s five-man rearguard.

Pep Guardiola downplayed the flair of Rayan Cherki’s rabona assist after Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland and urged the young midfielder to embrace simpler playmaking principles.

The rabona set-up helped the Cityzens to a win that left the 11-time English champions two points behind league-leaders Arsenal, who were stunned in stoppage time by Aston Villa. “I never saw Messi play a cross like he has done,” the Spanish boss said. “Messi is the best player to play the game but I never saw these kind of crosses.

“Crosses are fine, right or left or which part of your feet, it doesn’t matter. If it is effective, it is fine, but I like the simplicity because I learned from Messi that I never make a mistake with the simple things.

“The simple things he does perfectly, then he dribbles past four or five players. I want players to do the simple things well and after that you have special talent and he can do whatever he wants.

“But if he doesn’t work now, it will be a problem. He will be in trouble,” Guardiola finished

Unlike his manager, Cherki left the Etihad smiling. The 22-year-old produced two assists, created the most chances (six) and completed the most dribbles (five) in the match. “I worked for that [assist],” Cherki told BBC after the match. “I know my quality, which is my technique, when I play with Phil, Erling [Haaland], Omar [Marmoush], it’s very important to give the good balls for them.”

The France international, who left Lyon to join Man City this summer in a deal worth an initial £30.45 million ($40.6 million), later posted on social media: “Great day at work,” Cherki shared on X. “Thank you for the support.”

The summer signing leads the Premier League in assists this season with five despite only playing 350 minutes. His teammate Erling Haaland has found the back of the net 15 times in the English top flight in 2025/26.

The Premier League shortlists for November have been published, highlighting individual runs that shaped the month.

Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes closed November with three goals, two of which arrived in the win over Manchester City. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a memorable strike against Manchester United, also scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist against Fulham. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku produced one of the season’s most eye-catching individual displays as he demolished Liverpool and helped Pep Guardiola’s side remain competitive in the title race.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished November with four assists, creating goals against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a three-game scoring streak for Nottingham Forest, firing home against Man Utd, Leeds United and in the away victory at Liverpool.

Chelsea defender Reece James featured in all four of the Blues’ Premier League matches in November. His assist in the 1–1 draw with Arsenal capped off a truly stunning individual showing in a month which yielded a total of three clean sheets. Arsenal’s Declan Rice added attacking impetus with a goal against Burnley and an assist in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago continued his hot form, adding five goals across November with strikes against Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley among them.

Managers with strong cases included Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s unbeaten month, which produced wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as draws with Sunderland and Chelsea. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won three of four and emerged as outside contenders in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored a league-high 10 goals in November, including the victory over Liverpool. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded once in four games, producing wins over Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea went unbeaten under Enzo Maresca with three wins and a draw. Marco Silva’s Fulham recorded three wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham.

Recent monthly winners: Jack Grealish (Everton, August), Erling Haaland (Man City, September), Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd, October). Recent manager winners: Arne Slot (Liverpool, August), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, September), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, October).