What a weekend for the Irish! There were no fewer than six man of the match performances by Irish internationals, with top showings in both the Premier League and Championship. Shane Long is back in form, Harry Arter is playing very well for Cardiff, and Darragh Lenihan was bossing it for Blackburn.
This week's ranking also sees the inclusion of a certain West Ham midfielder, who was perhaps the standout performer in the entire Premier League at the weekend. Take a look at the ratings in full:
Irish Player Ratings
Jeff Hendrick registered two assists in Burnley's 2-1 win over Fulham, despite his side not having a single shot on target. He was the cause of both own goals scored by Fulham, and the Lancashire Telegraph gave him a 7/10 for his performance. Cyrus Christie played the full 90 minutes for Fulham, with 90min.com giving him 6/10.
Shane Long was on fire for Southampton in their 2-1 win over Leicester, winning a penalty and scoring a goal of his own. Having lost his scoring touch over the past few seasons, this goal meant that each of Long's last four strikes for the club have come under different managers.
He performed wonderfully on Saturday, however, with 90min.com rating him at 9/10 and giving him the man of the match award.
In a team who put in a superb performance on the day, Long was the pick of the bunch. He's always a nuisance for opposition defenders and he proved to be no different against Leicester, always closing down defenders and leaving them with very little time on the ball.
Harry Arter played the full 90 minutes in Cardiff's 0-0 draw with Huddersfield, with Wales Online naming him as man of the match and giving him 8/10.
Making a glorious return to our player rankings is Declan Rice***, one of the star players in the Premier League over the weekend. Look I know, but come on, he liked a comment on Instagram that called him a future Ireland captain.
Anyway, Rice was absolutely incredible against Arsenal, scoring the winning goal in a masterful midfield display. Football.London gave him a 9/10 for his showing, having this to say:
His block on Lacazette in the box as the Frenchman was about the pull the trigger was simply superb. Scored his first goal for the club three minutes after half time with a fine finish into the top corner.
Majestic throughout as he bossed the midfield. Such a class act for someone who isn't even 20 yet.
Shane Duffy played the full 90 minutes in Brighton's 1-0 home loss to Liverpool, with the Brighton & Hove Independent giving him a 7/10.
Ciaran Clark scored for Newcastle in their 2-1 loss at Chelsea, with the Newcastle Chronicle rating him at 7/10 and mentioning his excellent reading of the game.
Everton ended their recent poor form with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, with Seamus Coleman playing the full 90 minutes. His performance was given a 6/10 by the Liverpool Echo, who mentioned he looked nervous at times on his return to the starting team.
Richard Keogh captained Derby in their 2-0 loss at Leeds, a game over shadowed by Marcelo Bielsa and 'spy gate'. Keogh did not perform well, with the Derby Telegraph giving him a 5/10.
James McClean came off the bench for Stoke in their 3-1 defeat at Brentford.
Alan Browne played the full game for Preston in their 1-1 draw with Swansea, getting a 7/10 from the Lancashire Evening Post. Sean Maguire made his return from injury also, producing a 'lively' 15 minutes from the bench.
Blackburn defeated Millwall 2-0 away from home, with Darragh Lenihan being named man of the match. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph rated him at 9/10, saying:
Was faultless from the first minute to the last. Took it upon himself to lead the back line and did so to great effect. Made eight clearances and was first to most things in the air. Deserved the clean sheet which came Rovers’ way.
🍾Darragh Lenihan - Man of the Match🍾
Passes: 53 (most in match)
Duels won: 70%
Clearances: 8 (most in match)@Rovers 1st @SkyBetChamp away win and clean sheet since at Bolton on October 6
Blackburn are unbeaten in last 7 visits to Millwall, since 1991 pic.twitter.com/kVIkYbJ2C4— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 12, 2019
Aiden O'Brien played in that match for Millwall, with Football.London giving him a poor 5/10.
Callum O'Dowda played the full 90 minutes for Bristol City in their 2-1 victory over struggling Bolton, getting a 7/10 from the Bristol Post.
Conor Hourihane started in midfield for Aston Villa in their poor 3-0 defeat at Wigan, and the Birmingham Mail gave him a 5/10. Anthony Pilkington made his debut for the hosts.
Darren Randolph played in Middlesbrough's 2-1 win at Birmingham City.
Ireland's Sheffield United contingent all started at the weekend, with David McGoldrick scoring the winner against QPR with The Star giving him an 8/10. Enda Stevens and John Egan were both rated at 7/10.
*** Future appearances for Ireland not guaranteed
