TEAM: LEICESTER CITY
Although there were some really good performances again this week, non was more unexpected than Leicester scoring five at Man City. Though there were helped by some not so impressive defending, giving away three penalties, it was the Leicester players running off the ball, desire and incisive passing that scared City’s defence to death and forced them into mistake after mistake, to record a superb, eye opening away victory. Well done also to West Ham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, Man Utd, Leeds and Southampton.
GOALKEEPER: KARL DARLOW (Newcastle)
The Newcastle keeper was brilliant at Spurs and although his team got a last minute equaliser through a ridiculous handball decision, it was his save after save that kept his team in the game, which allowed Newcastle to go on and claim a very unlikely point. I’m sure everyone at Spurs are still scratching their heads, wondering how they only scored one. Shout out also to Leeds’ Meslier, Sheff Utd’s Ramsdale and Liverpool’s Alisson.
DEFENDER: AARON CRESSWELL (West Ham)
Known more as a left back or left wing back, but playing on the left side of a back three, I was concerned for him and West Ham at the start of the game. However, it turned out great for the Hammers. I was really impressed with how he handled himself and helped to marshal the likes of Jimenez and Traore, as West Ham totally nullified their attack and took them apart for a surprisingly convincing victory. Well done also to his team mate Ogbonna, Southampton duo Vestergaard & Walker-Peters, Chelsea’s Azpilicueta, Everton’s Digne, Liverpool duo Robertson & Alexander-Arnold, WBA’s Bartley, Palaces’ Kouyate, Leicester duo Castagne & Justin also Aston Villa’s Mings.
MIDFIELDER: JARROD BOWEN (West Ham)
It was his two goals that set his team on the way to romp Wolves at home. His energetic forays forward was unmatched by anyone on the pitch and it seemed tiring just to watch him getting up and down the pitch all game. To add to that, when he needed a bit of composure and ability, he found it with two neat finishes to cap off a superb performance. Shout out also to his team mates Masuaku, Soucek & Rice, Chelsea duo Mount & Hudson-Odei, Brighton’s March, Liverpool’s Fabinho, Man Utd’s Rashford, Leicester trio Barnes, Tielemans & Maddison, Leeds’ Harrison also Aston Villa duo McGinn & Hourihane.
FORWARD: JAMIE VARDY (Leicester)
Although he scored two penalties to claim a hat-trick, he really put Man City to the sword. His direct running on and off the ball seemed to scare the life out of the city defenders, who just couldn’t cope, prompting them to make endless mistakes, not to mention conceding three penalties. It was a real masterclass in forward play and something you’ve come to expect and maybe have taken for granted from last season’s top scorer. Well done also to WBA’s Robinson, Chelsea’s Abraham, Liverpool duo Mane & Jota, Leeds’ Bamford, Everton duo Richarlison & Calvert-Lewin, Brighton duo Maupay & Trossard, West Ham duo Haller & Antonio, Southampton’s Ings, Man City’s Mahrez, Spurs’ Moura, Newcastle’s C.Wilson and Aston Villa’s Grealish.
MANAGER: BRENDAN RODGERS (Leicester)
He really showed his tactical nouse at the Etihad. I thought early on they looked too tentative and defensive, but they lulled City into a false sense of security and after going a goal down, then getting the equaliser from the spot, they really burst into life in the second half, using Vardy’s pace to blitz Man City and score an incredible five away goals, albeit three penalties. Well done also to West Ham’s Moyes and Liverpool’s Klopp.
UNSUNG HERO: JANNIK VESTERGAARD (Southampton)
Southampton’s high line got annihilated against Spurs last week. Vestergaard, who was started a game for the first time this season, got a lot of stick in the early part of last season. However, he really showed his worth and had a superb game, which was only topped by the match winner Ings. Credited Burnley forward’s are not blessed with the same pace as Spurs forward’s, but he had to battle, fight, show strength, composure, and all his defending abilities to help his team to a valuable clean sheet and victory.
GAME: BRIGHTON 2-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
Brighton started early and almost scored when Trossard hit the both post from outside the box, he then hit the other post with a shot from a similar position. Webster then hit the bar from a header. Brighton then got a penalty when Fernandes tripped Lamptey and Maupay scored from the spot with a cheeky Panenka. (40). Man Utd got an equaliser when Matic turned Fernandes’ free kick from the left back across goal which hit Dunk and in (43). In the second half, Rashford then missed a penalty (52) but minutes later turned the Brighton defence inside out to lash home (55). March then hit the post, then Trossard hit the bar for his third time, before Brighton thought they got a late equaliser when March headed Jahanbakhsh’ right sided cross in at the back post (90+8). However, with literally the last action of the game, Maguire’s header from a corner came off Maupay’s arm and Fernandez made no mistake from the spot to win the game (90+11).
GOAL: JAMES MADDISON (Leicester) v Man City
Deep into the Man City half on left touchline, Mendy found the ball and played it down the line to Maddison, who controlled, turned and ran towards goal. He then cut inside to evade a defender chasing back, then from just over 20 yards out, he set himself and hit an unstoppable effort, with pace, that curled into the very top far corner of the net. There was also a very good goal by Man City’s Mahrez.
FOOL: MAN CITY DEFENCE
I really couldn’t pick one individual out and to be fair, I could have gone for the whole team. However, it’s not often, or hardly ever you see three defenders give away three penalties in the same game, you sure as hell do not see it from a team that has spent over £400m on their defence since the manager has come to the club. It really was an embarrassing showing from the city backline, as they got no more than what their poor performance deserved, a good old drubbing. FOOLS!
