BRIGHTON
I debated long and hard about this decision, and as I have always stated, I generally go with a good away win over a very good home one.
However, the way Brighton dismantled and outplayed Liverpool, and made it look easy was both impressive and alarming. They were good for their three-goal win, it didn’t flatter them to say it could have been more.
Well done also to Southampton. Notts Forest. Leeds. Brentford. Newcastle. Fulham. Aston Villa. Wolves. Man Utd. Man City. Chelsea and Arsenal who was close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID DE GEA (Man Utd)
His team were literally seconds away from racking up two wins in a week, and it took an unbelievable free kick to stop that.
Against City, although controversial, he stood strong to help his team to an important victory in the derby. Then at Palace, he was almost unbeatable, looking back to his best until he was thwarted with practically the last kick of the game.
Shout out also to Chelsea’s Kepa. Fulham’s Leno. Arsenal’s Ramsdale and Villa’s Martinez, who were both close to winning this.
DEFENDER: AARON WAN-BISSAKA (Man Utd)
Admittedly, it did help that he had two games this week, but that could have easily gone against him.
However, he seems to be benefitting from a run in the team, and back to his best, especially on the defensive side. In both games, he made vital blocks and tackles to cement his recent good form.
Well done also to his teammate Shaw. Fulham duo Diop and Ream. Man City’s Lewis. Palace’s Richards. Chelsea duo Koulibaly & Thiago Silva. Newcastle duo Botman & Trippier. Arsenal duo Zinchenko & Saliba. Brighton duo Gross & Estupinan. Southampton’s Caleta-Car. Forest duo Aurier & McKenna. Wolves duo Kilman & Collins. Villa’s Young and Brentford’s Mee.
MIDFIELDER: JAMES WARD-PROWSE (Southampton)
As usual, there were several candidates, but rock-bottom Southampton needed a victory and there was no better time for a captain to step up for his team.
He first reminded everyone he can score from open play with a net bit of skill and finish to equalise. Then in a more familiar position, won the game with a typically superb free kick.
Shout out also to his teammate Walker-Peters. Fulham’s Willian. Villa trio Buendia, Bailey and Kamara. Leeds’ Gnonto. Brentford’s Da Silva. Wolves’ Neves. Man Utd duo Fernandes & Rashford. Spurs’ Kulusevski. Brentford’s Jenson. Everton’s Onana. Arsenal trio Saka, Odegaard & Partey. Palaces’ Olise also Brighton trio Mac Alister, Mitoma and March who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: RIYAD MAHREZ (Man City)
After the devastation of losing in the derby, then trailing at home to Spurs 2-0. City needed something special, and the Algerian produced it in the second half.
Was involved in the first goal, created the equaliser, and then scored the next two with two neat finishes for a memorable come-from-behind victory.
Well done also to his teammates Alvarez & Haaland. Brighton’s Welbeck. Wolves’ Podence. Leeds’ Bamford. Brentford’s Toney. Newcastle duo Isak & Wilson. Chelsea’s Havertz and Fulham’s Vinicius.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
Although his keeper got the man of the match award, his team were commanding against Spurs in the North London derby and could have won it more comfortably.
His team look settled, strong and full of confidence. It’s getting to the stage now where you are seeing very little weakness in their team, and they are looking like they are on the road to the title.
Shout out also to Brighton’s De Zerbi, who was close to winning this.
UNSUNG HERO: SOLLY MARCH (Brighton)
This was another tough one, as I had a few candidates for this but his two goals against Liverpool just topped off a complete performance which was full of running, neat touches, creativity and superb finishing.
It also rewards him for the fine form he has been in lately. Well done also to his teammate Gross. Arsenal duo Xhaka and Saka. Forest’s Johnson. Man Utd’s Fernandes and Newcastle’s Botman.
GAME: MAN CITY 4-2 TOTTENHAM
City was shocked early against the run of play when Ederson’s poor pass forced Rodri to rush, and the ball fell to Kulusevski on the edge of the box to slot home (44).
Just two minutes later, it was two. Kane did well on the left to win the ball, his shot from the byline was parried by Ederson to Emerson, who nodded home (45+2).
In the second half, Man City came out the blocks firing. Mahrez went down the right, his cross caused a panic in the box, and Alvarez was on hand to volley home (51).
Minutes later, Rodri clipped a ball in the inside right channel of the box for Mahrez to head back for Haaland to head home (53). Man City then went ahead when Mahrez again picked up the ball on the right, created half a yard and slotted the ball low inside the near post from an acute angle (63).
The points were sealed when Romero misjudged Ederson’s long kick, which allowed Mahrez to run onto the ball and neatly dink over the onrushing Lloris (90).
GOAL: MICHAEL OLISE (Crystal Palace) v Man Utd
In a game where De Gea was bang in form and looking unbeatable, it had to be something special to beat him.
After Zaha was fouled, Olise stepped up, over 25 yards from goal, just to the right, took two steps, then curled a lovely, accurate effort with pace, just over and out of the reach of the keeper, that thundered off the underside of the bar and in.
FOOL: HUGO LLORIS (Tottenham)
The likes of Liverpool can count themselves lucky, as well as their neighbours Everton and the ref Stuart Atwell in the Manchester derby.
However, in what was always going to be a tough week playing Arsenal and Man Utd, what was needed and important was to not give anything cheap away. However, in both games, Lloris made glaring mistakes at his near post to concede goals.
Both could have and should have been avoided, both were crucial goals at the time and not mistakes you expect to see from a World Cup winner. Fool!
