Lyle Foster continues to fly the South African flag in England, but there were several other excellent performances from stars of the continent on another weekend of top action in Europe’s elite leagues.
LYLE FOSTER (BURNLEY & SOUTH AFRICA)
Two goals in three Premier League games for Foster this season is an excellent start and he certainly looks the part for Burnley. The Bafana Bafana forward swept home Luca Koleosho’s cut-back inside four minutes against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and later forced an excellent save from Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Burnley lost 5-2, and this looks like being a season of struggle for the promoted team, but Foster has been arguably their most impressive player to date. It is good to see a South African excelling in the Premier League after so long.
BRYAN MBEUMO (BRENTFORD & CAMEROON)
Another player who has had an excellent start to the season is Mbeumo, the winger who has now netted four Premier League goals in as many games for Brentford, putting him second on the leading scorers list behind Erling Haaland (six). He left it late this time and scored in the 93rd minute to rescue a point for The Bees in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. He took his strike brilliantly, turning the centre-back after a long ball forward and bearing down on goal before providing a cool finish. He is turning out to be some player.
ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE (EVERTON & MALI)
It has been a sticky start to the new season for The Toffees, but Everton got their first goals, and point, in a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United. They were full value for a win but couldn’t get it across the line, with Doucoure opening the scoring on 14 minutes. Amadou Onana’s header into his path from a corner saw the Mali international flick the ball towards goal. His first effort was stopped by the keeper, before he reacted quickest to the rebound to put the ball into the back of the net. He tends to pop up with important goals for Everton, who welcome Arsenal for their next clash after the international break.
MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL & EGYPT)
There was plenty of speculation in recent weeks that Salah would be on his way to Saudi Arabia and with the transfer window still open in the Middle East country, he could yet depart Anfield. But Liverpool are determined to see him stay, and he gave another exhibition of why in the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. The Egypt international scored his side’s third goal, ghosting in at the back post to turn the ball into the net via Darwin Nunez’s flicked header from a corner. It was great anticipation and a typically neat finish.
TAIWO AWONIYI (NOTTINGHAM FOREST & NIGERIA)
No goal this week for Awoniyi, ending his run of scoring in seven successive Premier League matches dating back to last season. But he did provide the assist for Nottingham Forest’s surprise 1-0 win at Chelsea, whose expensively assembled squad have yet to fire. Awoniyi picked up the ball in midfield and ran towards goal, before slipping in a delightful pass for Anthony Elanga to score for Forest. It shows that the big Nigerian is not all power, he also has plenty of finesse.
ZITO LUVUMBO (CAGLIARI & ANGOLA)
The forward scored the first goal of the season for Cagliari, but it unfortunately ended in a 2-1 defeat at Bologna. He will be delighted to get off the mark though and it was a superb finish. He turned his defender 40 yards from goal and used his pace to race into the box, before unleashing a powerful shot from a narrowing angle, which nestled into the far corner of the net. Luvumbo scored five goals in 41 Serie A appearances last season (19 starts, 22 subs), but there are many more goals than that in him. The 21-year-old will hope to reach double figures.