Cristiano Ronaldo has been the difference for Man United this season with his hattrick over the weekend handing his side another three points in a game that saw come from two goals down to restore parity.
While Ronaldo has been important for United, there are other players who have been key figures for their teams and we look at the top 10 match-winners in the Premier League this season.
- =4. Phil Foden (4 match-winning goals)
The Manchester City star is ranked joint-fourth on the list of players with the most match-winners during the 2021-22 campaign.
Foden’s 82nd-minute winner for City away at Everton in February 2022 was the most memorable out of his four game-deciders.
- =4. Bernardo Silva (4 match-winning goals)
Foden’s teammate Bernado Silva has contributed to four match-winning goals too. These goals have come against Leicester City, Burnley, Aston Villa, and Watford.
- =4. Raheem Sterling (4 match-winning goals)
The third and final City player on this list is Sterling. The England international is up to double figures (10) for league goals in 2021-22.
His cool finish from the penalty spot to earn City a narrow 1-0 victory over Wolves at the Etihad in December 2021 was the most important of the bunch; it was also Sterling’s 100th Premier League goal.
- =4. Sadio Mane (4 match-winning goals)
Just as his City counterparts, the Senegalese have been an important player for Liverpool as they aim to wrestle the league title from the Pep Guardiola side.
His match-winner over West Ham United at Anfield in March 2022 was crucial in keeping the Reds on the coattails of league leaders Man City.
- =4. Ivan Toney (4 match-winning goals)
12 league goals in his maiden season in the English top-flight is something to be admired. A third of these have helped the club to victories and Brentford is now in a position where their top-flight status for next term is all but secure.
- =4. Bukayo Saka (4 match-winning goals)
Saka has been one of the most important players for Arsenal as they seek to return to the Champions League. He’s the club’s team’s joint-top scorer in 2021-22 with 10 goals in all competitions. His match-winner over Villa on away turf in March 2022 maintained Arsenal’s rich vein of league form at the time.
- =3. Heung-min Son (5 match-winning goals)
Only Salah (20) has netted more league goals in the 2021-22 season than Son (17). The 29-year-old’s winner in the club’s league opener over City in August 2021 was a thing of beauty – his best of the five match-deciders.
- =3. Raul Jimenez (5 match-winning goals)
After his head injury last season, the Mexican has come out guns blazing this season. Winners against Southampton, Everton, West Ham, Spurs, and Watford have all helped his side boast a tally of 49 points after 32 games – already four more than they managed under Nuno Espirito Santo in 2020-21
- =2. Diogo Jota (6 match-winning goals)
Not many gave the Portuguese a chance following the presence of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah but he’s proved to be a brilliant buy by Liverpool.
In 2021-22, out of his six league match-winners, his near-post finish in the club’s 2-0 win at the Emirates in March 2022 was by far and away from his most crucial.
- =2. Mohamed Salah (6 match-winning goals)
Since missing the AFCON crown, the Egyptian has continued to bang goals for his club as their aim for the quadruple.
His last match-winner came in a 3-1 home victory over Norwich City in February 2022, but Salah’s still the league’s top-scorer in 2021-22 (20) and will be looking to add to that tally when United visit Anfield on Tuesday.
- 1. Cristiano Ronaldo (7 match-winning goals)
While he has been criticized by some, he has had a lot of praise from some members of the United team. His two home hat-tricks in wins against Spurs and Norwich in 2021-22 were showings of a man determined to drag his team to a top-four finish.
