TEAM: WEST HAM UNITED
This was a very close one, as two other teams had real good arguments to be up here, but Liverpool came into this on a 24-game unbeaten streak but West Ham showed no fear.
They imposed their game plan by sucking Liverpool in and playing on the counterattack. Then utilised their strengths with set pieces to unsettle Liverpool forcing mistakes to come out 3-2 winners and up to third in the league.
Well done also to Norwich, Man City, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Arsenal.
GOALKEEPER: BEN FOSTER (Watford)
He was extremely unlucky to end up on the losing side and did everything he could help his team get a positive result.
Not only making a superb penalty save, but numerous other saves that almost preserved a clean sheet. It took a very contentious decision and sequence in the game that saw him beaten, but he deserved much more.
Shout out also to Burnley’s Pope, Leicester’s Schmeichel, Newcastle’s Darlow, Man Utd’s De Gea and Norwich’s Krul who was very close to winning this.
DEFENDER: JOAO CONCELO (Man City)
The Man City full back has to be one of the most progressive defenders in the game. He showed all his quality against Man Utd and much of his quality is what made the telling contributions in the game.
Quality with both feet, pace and composure, can defender and attack and in the end, it was his vision and quality balls in that created both the goals that settled the derby.
Well done also to Southampton duo Walker-Peters & Salisu, Arsenal duo White & Tavares, Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold, Burnley duo Tarkowski & Mee, Norwich’s Omobamidele, Everton duo Keane & Godfrey, West Ham’s Zouma, Palace’s Anderson.
MIDFIELDER: PABLO FORNALS (West Ham)
He scored one and assisted another. He is becoming an important part in West Ham’s recent successes. Not only is he competent and effective on the ball, he is always quick to serge forward with pace, whenever West Ham counterattack.
But also, along with a few other team mates, delivers a superb corner, which is big feature of West Ham’s game and recent good form.
Shout out also to his team mate Bowen, Arsenal’s Smith Rowe, Southampton’s Romeu, Newcastle’s Hayden, Palace duo Gallagher & McArthur, Chelsea trio James, Barkley & Hudson-Odoi, Brentford’s Henry, Norwich’s Normann, Man City’s Rodri & De Bruyne, Leeds’ Raphinha, Leicester’s Barnes and Everton’s Delph.
FORWARD: ADAM ARMSTRONG (Southampton)
This was a really tough one to call, mainly due to there being not many real good forward performances to choose from.
In the end I went for the Southampton man, firstly for the lovely instinctive strike, early in the game that belies someone that hasn’t scored since the opening day of the season. But also, I was really impressed with his worth ethic, he never stopped running, harassing defenders and working for his team mates.
Well done also to Crystal Palace duo Zaha & Eduoard, Man City B.Silva, Liverpool’s Origi, Chelsea’s Havertz, Brighton’s Trossard, Burnley duo Rodriguez & Vydra, also Norwich’s Pukki.
MANAGER: DAVID MOYES (West Ham)
West Ham has come on leaps and bounds over the past 18 months and Moyes has them looking like a real force in the hardest league in the world.
What impresses the most is he knows his teams’ strengths and certainly plays to them. Against Liverpool he used a low block, got plenty of players behind the ball the kept springing the counterattack using Antonio’s brute strength and runners from midfield.
Then he left the rest to their superb set pieces to snap the only unbeaten record in the league. Well done also to Norwich’s Farke who was close to winning this.
UNSUNG HERO: CONOR GALLAGHER (Crystal Palace)
Not exactly unsung but I have been extremely impressed with him this season thus far. Seems to be the epitome of Vieira’s new Palace team, full of running, desire and heart.
But extremely good on the ball, intelligent, neat and tidy with an eye for a goal which was all on show against Wolves as he notched their second goal to settle the game.
GAME: WEST HAM 3-2 LIVERPOOL
West Ham started the scoring very early when Fornals swing over a left sided corner right on top of Alisson, who seemed to be distracted by Antonio and maybe obstructed by Ogbonna causing him to misjudge the flight of the ball which sliced off his fist and into the net (4).
Liverpool equalised when Alexander-Arnold struck a picture-perfect free kick into the top corner for 19 yards (41). In the second half West Ham took the lead when they caught Liverpool playing high and beat the offside trap, Bowen then slipped Fornals in, who swept the ball past Alisson (67).
It was then three when Bowen swung over a right sided corner, which Alisson again missed the flight of, allowing Zouma to steal in at the far post to head home (74).
Liverpool pulled a goal back when Jota found Origi who controlled with his right, swivelled and found the bottom corner with his left (83). Mane missed a late header to equalise, but West Ham ran out winners.
GOAL: HARVEY BARNES (Leicester) v Leeds
Straight from the kick off after Leeds had just scored, the ball was played forward by Tielemans then flicked on by Soumare to Barnes just outside the left side of the box.
He controlled with the outside of the is boot, cut inside the defender to take him into the box the curled a lovely, pinpoint effort that nestled into the top far corner of the net giving the keeper no chance.
There was also a good goal from Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold.
FOOL: ALISSON (Liverpool)
Not for one minute am I doubting the brilliance of Alisson, or the fact that he is one of the best keepers in the world.
However, although his career has been filled with superb moments, as with all keepers, he’s had some terrible ones too and if you ask me, his career has had a few more terrible moments than he should.
Against West Ham, you can say he should have done better with all three goals. He looked a novice in both the goals they conceded from comers and the second goal seemed to go through him. Not exactly the performance of a world class goalkeeper. FOOL!
