WEEKLY AWARDS

TEAM: ARSENAL

This was a close one, as only two teams got maximum points this week, and it could have gone either way. However, I went with the table toppers. 

After their battling draw at Man City, they followed with a stroll win at home to Luton. Then in a possible banana skin at Brighton, they were even more impressive with a 3-0 away win to go top. 

Well done also to Man City. 

GOALKEEPER: MARTIN DUBRAVKA (Newcastle)

This was an extremely close decision with two keepers in the running. In the end, I gave it to the Newcastle man. 

Mainly because he is the second choice and has not been in the best form in recent weeks. However, in the two games this week, he was only beaten by a penalty, and in both games performed admirably. 

Shout out also to Vicario, who was close to winning this, West Ham Fabianski, Man City’s Ortega and Burnley’s Muric. 

DEFENDER: KURT ZOUMA (West Ham)

This was more or less a two-horse race, but it was his goal and man-of-the-match performance against Spurs and the other guy in the run-in that sealed it. 

West Ham played two big games in a week, against two teams in the top seven and came away with four points. In both, his performances went a long way to secure these points. 

Well done to his teammate Johnson. Forest duo Williams and Murillo. Man City’s Lewis. Brentford trio Regullon, Ajar & Zanka.

Everton’s Mykalenko. Luton’s Kabore. Sheff Utd’s Bogle. Chelsea’s T.Silva. Brighton’s Velman and Spurs duo Porro & Van de Ven, who was close to winning this. 

MIDFIELDER: COLE PALMER (Chelsea)

Out of all categories, this was the most difficult with three players, on any given week could have taken this. However, I went with the Chelsea man who you would dread to think where Chelsea would be without him,

His dramatic stoppage time hat-trick against Man Utd won the game. Then against Sheff Utd, he assisted what should have been the winner before coming off and seeing his team concede a late, heartbreaking equaliser. 

Shout out also to his teammate Gallagher. Forest duo Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs White. Man City duo Foden & De Bruyne. Man Utd foursome Garnacho, Antony, Fernandez & Mainoo. Arsenals Odegaard. Spurs duo Werner & Johnson. 

Wolves’ Ait-Nouri. West Ham trio Bowen, Paqueta & Ward-Prose. Brentford’s Reguilon. Villa’s Rodgers. Sheff Utd’s Hamer. Burnley’s Bruun Larsen. Bournemouth duo Tavernier & Christie. Newcastle’s Bruno. Liverpool’s Mac Allister and Luton’s Clarke. 

FORWARD: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN (Everton)

With two games in a week, it was hard to pick out an outstanding performer. However, not many players notched two goals in both games. 

Of the players who did, the Everton man, plagued with injury, scored a vital late penalty to secure a valuable point at Newcastle. Then he snapped their long run without a win with a goal against Burnley.

Well done also to Arsenal trio Havertz, Saka & Trossard. Notts Forest Wood. Aston VIlla’s Watkins. Brentford duo Wissa & Mbuemo. Newcastle duo Isak & Gordon. 

Liverpool trio Nunez, Diaz and Gakpo. Bournemouth duo Samenyo & Kluivert. Palace duo Mateta & Edouard. Wolves’s Sarabia. Luton’s Morris. Chelsea’s Maduake. Sheff Utd’s McBurnie and Man City’s Haaland. 

MANAGER: PEP GUARDIOLA (Man City) 

Although he does have a squad that all envy, it’s his management which is most admirable. 

He had the luxury of leaving out De Bruyne in midfield, where Foden stepped up with a hat-trick. Then, at the weekend, left out Foden, where De Bruyne stepped up with two goals and an assist. 

Shout out also to Arsenal’s Arteta. 

UNSUNG HERO: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Man City)

Naturally, not unsung and once again, this was a two-horse race between two teammates who missed out on the midfielder award this week. 

Although Foden notched a hat-trick against Villa, his performance with two goals and an assist at Palace, after going a goal down, was more of the complete performance and showed his unbelievable quality, and not that we needed reminding. 

Shout out to his teammates Foden & Lewis. Wolves’ Ait-Nouri. Villa’s Rodgers. Arsenal’s Havertz and Man Utd’s Mainoo. 

GAME1: CHELSEA 4-3 MAN UTD

Chelsea took the lead when Gallagher scored from Gusto’s low cross from the right, inside the box (4). They then added to their lead after Palmer converted a penalty kick following a foul by Antony on Cucurella (19). 

Manchester United managed to pull one goal back when Garnacho scored after Caicedo’s poor pass that allowed him to run through on goal and score(34). 

Five minutes later, United equalised when Fernandea headed in Dalot’s right-footed cross from the left (39). 

In the second half, United took the lead when Garnacho headed in a delightful outside-of-the-boot cross from Antony on the right, past the on-rushing Petrovic (67). 

Palmer then scored two goals in stoppage time to win the game. He converted a penalty after Dalot fouled Maduake in the box. (90+10). 

Then, following a short corner, his shot from the edge of the box was deflected in (90+11).

GAME2: MAN UTD 2-2 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool had several opportunities in the first half but only managed to score once. Their goal came after a corner from the right that was flicked on by Nunez, for Diaz to score with a scissor kick into the ground and in (23)

Man Utd got a chance to get back in the game when Quansah made a mistake and passed the ball straight to Fernandez. With Kelleher out of position, Fernandez executed a superb first-time shot from just inside the centre circle to score (50).

Man Utd took the lead when Mainoo collected the ball from Wan Bissaka, turned with one touch and curled a beautiful shot into the net (67)

Liverpool managed to get back into the game when Wan-Bissaka fouled Elliot in the box. Salah scored from the penalty spot (84)

There was also an exciting game at Villa Park, where Aston Villa drew 3-3 with Brentford.

GOAL1: ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER (Liverpool) vs Sheff Utd

Robertson received the ball down the left and put in a first-time, low cross into the box. The ball was defended and cleared but rebounded off Diaz to the edge of the box. 

Mac Allister came running onto the ball, from just inside the dee. He unleashed a first-time, thunderous effort, cutting across the ball that rocketed into the top corner. 

GOAL2: KOBIE MAINOO (Manchester Utd) vs Liverpool

Garnacho collected the ball and moved forward, then played it to Wan-Bissaka on the left. He squared a ball to Mainoo just inside the box with his back to goal. 

With one motion, he took a touch and swivelled, giving himself half a yard to curl a wonderful shot that nestled to the top far corner. 

There were also good goals from his teammate Fernandez. Tottenham’s Van de Ven and Man City’s De Bruyne. 

FOOL: FULHAM FC

If you looked at the week’s individually, I could have chosen several teams or players. However, collectively, it was again a two-horse race. 

Only two teams failed to pick up at least a point from the two games this week. One of these teams played Man City the other was Fulham. Although not in any danger, but with just seven games to go, they all seem to already be on that proverbial beach. FOOLS!