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Five players who stood out on opening Premier League weekend

:Headline: Five players who stood out on opening Premier League weekend: ID:414284: from db_amp
Willian provided three assists on his Arsenal debut.

The start of the new Premier League season was marked by a number of impressive individual performances.

Here the PA news agency looks at some of those stand-out displays.

Gabriel (Arsenal)

The accusation levelled at Arsenal over several years has been that, for all their attractive attacking play, they have been undermined by a weak underbelly. It is early days but Gabriel's Premier League debut offered promise that the Gunners may, at last, have found the defensive linchpin they have desperately needed. The Brazilian centre-back, a £23million summer signing from Lille, is quick, adaptable, good on the ball, strong and offers hope of a long-term solution to their defensive weaknesses. A goal on debut was also a bonus.

Willian (Arsenal)

The on-loan Manchester City winger had the honour of scoring Leeds' first goal on their return to the top flight after a 16-year absence. Cutting in from the left he had England internationals Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez trailing in his wake before rifling a low shot past Alisson Becker. His performance – he gave Alexander-Arnold a tough afternoon – was typical of Leeds' approach to life back in the big time.

Allan (Everton)

Allan played a key role in the win over Tottenham (Catherine Ivill/PA)

The Brazil international has been the least-heralded of Everton's three new signings but he arguably has the most important role, providing a screen in front of the back four and being the ball-winner the Toffees have lacked since the departure of Idrissa Gana Gueye. Manager Carlo Ancelotti knows exactly what to expect from the £21million signing, having worked with him recently at Napoli, but his man-of-the-match display in the win over Tottenham – their first over a 'big six' side since 2013 – gave everyone else a glimpse of his importance. James Rodriguez, another signing who has worked with Ancelotti before, also made a hugely impressive start to life with the Toffees.

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2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
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5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
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