TEAM: MANCHESTER CITY
In a much-depleted Premier League calendar where we were expecting to see 20 games and only got 11, even if everyone played twice, it still would have been hard for any team to get this award over City.
They probably had the best week any team could or would have with a 7-0 destruction of Leeds, then followed it up with a 4-0 away win at Newcastle to make it eight wins in a row and top the league at Christmas with a three point cushion. Well done also to Arsenal.
GOALKEEPER: JORDAN PICKFORD (Everton)
This was another decision where not many were in contention and just a decent performance would win it.
However, the Everton keeper put in more than a decent performance at Chelsea, where the West London team were expecting to get a straightforward victory but found the England keeper in great form.
Chelsea had 10 shots on goal but only beat Pickford once, which helped his team to go on and get an unlikely away point. Shout out also to Wolves’ Sa, Arsenal’s Ramsdale, Tottenham’s Lloris and Villa’s Martinez.
DEFENDER: ROMAIN SAISS (Wolves)
It was his teammate last week, but he takes it this week which gives an indication of how well they are doing defensively.
Not only did he play his part in two very strong clean sheet displays where in the second game they reduced Chelsea to just one shot on goal. At Brighton he scored the winner, with a lovely controlled volley any striker would have been proud of.
Well done also to his teammates Caody & Kilman, Man City duo Dias & Cancelo, Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold, Chelsea’s Silva, Arsenal duo Tierney & Gabriel, Villa duo Cash & Mings also Everton duo Keane & Braithwaite.
MIDFIELDER: GABRIEL MARTINELLI (Arsenal)
As per usual, several candidates for this award and at times, due to formations I can sway it to include forward based players.
However, playing wide left, the young Brazilian gives Arsenal everything in that position, pace, desire, tenacity, vision, movement and an eye for a goal. He notched three goals this week and its crazy to think he is still just 20 years old but is already becoming a go to man for the gunners.
Shout out also to his teammates Saka & Smith Rowe, Man City trio Rodri, Mahrez & De Bruyne, Spurs trio Ndombele, Alli & Winks, Chelsea’s Mount, Southampton’s Ward-Prowse and Villa’s Ramsey.
FORWARD: DIOGO JOTA (Liverpool)
You have to be impressed with the way he has now forced himself into that front three at Liverpool and has made himself and regular starter.
He notched goals in both games this week, both were his team’s opening goals showing his importance, striker ability and ability to get goals from anywhere, anyhow and in any situation, which will be very vital in the second half of the season.
Well done also to his teammate Salah, Man City’s Sterling, Villa’s Watkins, Palace duo Zaha & Ayew, Southampton’s Broja also Spurs duo Son & Kane.
MANAGER: PEP GUARDIOALA (Manchester City)
His team are certainly purring at the moment and quite rightly, look like the favourites for the title.
He is rotating his team from back to front (although has the players to) to perfection, keeping all players fresh, hungry and ready for action in this upcoming hectic period to good effect.
His team are playing with confidence, freedom and look unbeatable with two very scary wins to put the whole league on notice and let everyone know they are the team to beat. Well done also to Arsenal’s Arteta.
UNSUNG HERO: EMILE SMITH ROWE (Arsenal)
Although only seven teams played two games this week, he is one of only four players to score in both games.
However, he is the only player to score both his goals from the bench. I’m sure he wasn’t happy being benched in both games, but he certainly spoke and showed his anger with his feet. He took both his goals very well, the first to seal the game against West ham and the second to make the points safe.
The manager must be happy with is attitude and impact off the bench from a young player who is really emerging as a star.
GAME1: CRYSTAL PALACE 2-2 SOUTHAMPTON
Crystal Palace opened the scoring very early when Hughes won the ball in the centre circle and Ayew found Eduard, who ran towards goal and found Zaha just inside the left of the box. He then cut inside his marker and fired home (2).
Southampton then equalised when Ward-Prowse stepped up for a contentious free kick 20 yards out and expertly fired into the top corner (32). Southampton then took the lead soon after when Walker-Peters nicked the ball from Gallagher just inside the Palace half.
The ball then fell to Broja who turned, took a touch and fired in a powerful low effort, from outside the box into the bottom corner (36). In the second half, Palace got an equaliser when Zaha picked up the bail long the left and fed it in for Eduard, who turned just inside the box, slipped it to Benteke who touched it back.
Eduard then fired a shot across the goal which Caballero got a foot to, only to see Ayew steal in at the far post to lash home (65).
GAME2: TOTTENHAM 2-2 LIVERPOOL
In a thrilling game and possibly game of the season so far. Spurs opened the scoring when Ndombele picked up the ball in midfield and played a slide rule pass for Kane to run onto and sweep the ball past Alisson (13).
Liverpool then equalised as they went marauding down the lift, Robertson picked up the loose ball just inside the box and chipped a ball back for Jota to head home at the near post (35).
In a frantic second half, Liverpool got a second when a cross came in from the left, Salah missed his header, as the ball dropped Lloris parried out for Alexander-Arnold to volley in for Robertson to stoop and head home (69).
Spurs then soon got an equaliser when Winks played a ball for Son to run onto, Alisson came out to clear but fluffed his kick leaving Son to tap into an empty net (74). With chances either side throughout, there was still time for Robertson to get a red card for a reckless challenge (77).
GOAL1: JACOB RAMSEY (Aston Villa) v Norwich
The Villa youngster picked up the ball midway in his own half by the left touchline and run forward, the touched it to Watkins just inside the half to play a first time ball back to Ramsey who continued running.
Ramsey’s first touch on the halfway line took him away from three Norwich players and his continued running towards goal.
With three players around him he ran into the box, and as two players closed in, went to go right, then cut out to his left and fired a left footed effort high, past the keeper at the near post.
There was also a great goal from Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold and Southampton’s Ward-Prowse.
GOAL2: JOAO CANCELO (Man City) v Newcastle
Midway in the Newcastle half, Cancelo ran onto a pass from Mahrez on the left, which made him run square.
As a Wilock closed him down, he jinxed past him towards goal, then as a Hayden ran across to close him down his jinxed back from left to right, leaving Hayden on the floor.
He then took two touches towards goal and as he got to just before the dee, let fly with a rasping drive that flew into the far top corner.
FOOL: MARCELO BIELSA (Leeds Utd)
He’s had plenty of praise since he’s been at Leeds, getting them to the Premier League then having an excellent first season in the top flight.
However, second season syndrome has really hit him, and injuries have ravaged his side. With a depleted team, although I understand they have. style of play, but at some stage you have to bite the bullet and change things due to circumstances.
Bielsa has failed to do this, to his teams’ detriment and that all action, rock and roll football has just left them open, vulnerable and easy to play against.
Hence a 7-0 drubbing at City then a 4-1 loss at home to Arsenal where in the first half, Arsenal had 11 shots on goal, the most in a first half since 2004. FOOL!
