Premier League Gameweek 7's Standout Stars: Six Players Who Dominated the Pitch
The October international break has arrived just as the 2025–26 Premier League season was finding its rhythm.
Following the weekend's matches, we're now seven fixtures into the new season, with a clear frontrunner establishing themselves at the top. Liverpool's challenging week ended with another heartbreaking late loss in London, allowing Arsenal to maintain their position at the summit after winning a match that had previously hindered their title campaigns.
Midweek European competitions enabled a packed Sunday schedule alongside Friday evening's clash on the south coast, featuring numerous exceptional individual displays across the nation.
Below are FotMob's six top-rated performers from Premier League Gameweek 7.
5. Declan Rice: 8.5
West Ham United's recent victories at the Emirates had some Arsenal fans approaching Saturday's match with concern, but the Gunners, considering their high expectations this season, couldn't afford to lose this fixture for a third consecutive year.
The opening goal was always crucial, particularly with Nuno Espírito Santo on the visiting bench, and while a midfielder with strong West Ham connections netted it, that player has worn Arsenal colors since 2023.
Declan Rice was perfectly positioned to fire home inside the Hammers' penalty area, following Alphonse Areola's excellent save from Eberechi Eze. Mikel Arteta's team have frequently benefited from the England international's advanced midfield position, with his box-to-box capabilities shining on Saturday.
Rice topped the match with three key passes created, while also contributing to another solid Arsenal defensive showing through his exceptional work rate in midfield.
4. Mohammed Kudus & Senne Lammens: 8.6 (tied)
Thomas Frank's Tottenham Hotspur displayed more creativity and unpredictability in their attacking play than seen in recent weeks at Elland Road on Saturday, yet Mohammed Kudus still operated like a one-man force along the right wing at times.
The Ghana international's ability to withstand pressure and maintain possession is exceptional, but Kudus also proved decisive in the attacking third. After setting up Mathys Tel's opening goal of 2025–26, the former West Ham creator overpowered Gabriel Gudmundsson once again before unleashing a powerful deflected strike past a stranded Karl Darlow to regain Spurs' lead in the second period.
His 8.6 FotMob score was subsequently equaled by Manchester United keeper Senne Lammens on his Premier League debut. Ruben Amorim's tactical adjustments helped produce one of his finest performances to date against a resilient Sunderland team, and apart from one distribution error, Lammens provided reliability between the goalposts.
He recorded three saves en route to a clean sheet.
3. Bruno Guimarães: 8.7
Newcastle United faced a Nottingham Forest team that appeared vulnerable, with Ange Postecoglou abandoning his principles in an attempt to neutralize their opponents.
Forest succeeded for the opening hour, but their strategy couldn't prevent Bruno Guimarães from scoring brilliantly from distance to unlock the match. The Brazil international, who had dispossessed Morgan Gibbs-White before the goal, bent a shot past Matz Sels from the Forest penalty area's edge.
That moment highlighted an typically energetic display from Guimarães, who ended the game with a match-leading ten duels won and seven defensive actions. The midfielder later drew a foul from Elliot Anderson, having approached his English opponent from behind, earning Newcastle a spot-kick that secured victory.
2. Donyell Malen: 8.9
Aston Villa appeared to be a club in turmoil two weeks prior, but four consecutive victories across all competitions have restored joy among the Villa Park supporters.
Emiliano Buendia has arguably been the standout during Villa's recent revival, and another somewhat unexpected figure proved crucial in their 2–1 victory over Burnley on Sunday.
Donyell Malen had managed just three Premier League goals before the weekend, but nearly doubled that total in a single match. The Netherlands forward partnered Ollie Watkins in attack against the Clarets, finding the net on both sides of halftime. Both strikes were expertly executed from the right inside channel, with Unai Emery's decision to deploy a two-striker system paying dividends.
1. Antoine Semenyo: 9.2
The weekend's standout performer was largely quiet for most of Friday evening's encounter at the Vitality, leaving many fantasy football managers worried about a potential scoreless outing to begin the weekend.
Antoine Semenyo's fantasy football appeal has grown due to his excellent start to the 2025–26 season, but Fulham had successfully contained him for the initial 78 minutes.
Ryan Sessegnon's goal appeared to ignite something within the Ghana winger, who then seized control of the match and single-handedly brought Bournemouth back into contention. Semenyo's opening goal showcased individual brilliance, while his assist for Justin Kluivert evoked memories of Sergio Busquets setting up Lionel Messi's iconic solo effort at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2011. That moment belonged entirely to the Dutch striker.
However, the winger completed a remarkable Friday night finale by converting first-time on the counter-attack. He's been directly involved in nine of Bournemouth's 11 Premier League goals this campaign.