da gbg bet： February may be one of the shortest months of the Premier League season, with only three matchdays played, but it certainly wasn’t without its moments. Indeed, Tottenham partook in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, Watford recorded a shock 4-1 win over Chelsea and the Blues were then edged out of an incredibly tight 2-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. But away from the headline clashes and onto the players who stood out most last month. Here’s the Premier League nominees for the PFA Bristol Street Motors Fans’ Player of the Month award for February…
Chris Smalling
da lvbet： While his place in the starting XI may be as much a consequence of injuries as his own ability to impress Jose Mourinho, Chris Smalling was an absolute rock for Manchester United throughout February – the central defender playing a key role in a clean sheet against Huddersfield and keeping Alvaro Morata quiet in the 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend. Three Premier League outings have seen the England international make five tackles, ten interceptions (only one player in the division recorded more in February) and 14 clearances while winning 13 aerial duels.
Eden Hazard
Chelsea have endured a tough start to 2018 with February seeing them lose two of three Premier League games. But their talisman Eden Hazard has maintained his impeccably high standards despite the slump at Stamford Bridge, either scoring or assisting in all three games to finish the month with three goals and two setups. In addition to netting thrice with just five shots, the Belgian wizard also created eleven chances and completed 13 dribbles.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has held down a monthly spot on the shortlist for practically the entire season, such has been the Egypt international’s devastating impact at Anfield since joining Liverpool from Roma. In another fine month for the one-time Chelsea youngster, Salah was involved in the most goals of any Premier League player throughout February with four goals and two assists. Unquestionably enjoying amongst the best form of any player in Europe this term, the 25-year-old has already established himself as one of the Premier League’s flagship talents.
Jack Butland
Stoke’s City survival hopes appear intertwined with the form of goalkeeper Jack Butland, arguably now the front runner to don the gloves for England at the World Cup in Russia. Although the 24-year-old did suffer a costly error against Leicester City last weekend, February saw him make five more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League with a stunning 19 from three games. There were unfortunately no clean sheets but ultimate responsibility surely rests with those in front of a ‘keeper who produced an 82.6% save success rate last month.
Pascal Gross
One of the shrewdest signings of the season, Pascal Gross has provided the cutting edge in Brighton’s impressive bid to avoid relegation which currently has them sitting somewhat comfortably in twelfth place. The German midfielder created the most chances of any Premier League player last month, two of them resulting in assists, and also found the net himself in a 3-1 win over West Ham.
Roberto Firmino
Mohamed Salah’s most potent partner in crime, February was a fine month for Roberto Firmino as well, scoring twice while laying on assist in the space of three games. But it’s the Brazilian’s ability to mix that attacking flair with industriousness that stands out most; Firmino also made a whopping ten tackles last month including four alone in the 2-0 win over Southampton. However, the hardworking forward did also suffer a slight blip in performance in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham, when he failed to have any real impact on the scoreline.