TEAM: MAN CITY
This was probably the toughest team of the week decision this season, as there were a fair few candidates for this. But with the champions and the champions elect going head to head, it was always going to be a tough, tight battle. Though the scoreline was close, in reality, City dominated Chelsea on their own patch. It probably helped that Chelsea were so negative and lost Morata early. But regardless, Man City looked superb and was well worth their win. Well done also to Burnley, Tottenham and Man Utd who were all close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: KASPER SCHMEICHEL (Leicester City)
The draw that Leicester got at Bournemouth was basically down to him. As his team only recorded one shot on goal. His performance was the difference between Leicester coming away with a point rather than no points. Bournemouth tried to force the issue, but they found the Leicester keeper in top form to earn a clean sheet. Shout out also to Southampton’s Forster. Chelsea’s Courtois. Brighton’s Ryan. and Burnley’s Pope.
DEFENDER: JAMES TARKOWSKI (Burnley)
He is really cleaning up in this category. Another defender of the week award. He really is maturing into the top class defender. He is a real old-fashioned defender. Committed to every challenge, header, block and clearance. Showed some great awareness and positioning. Was rock solid and gave a poor Everton side absolutely nothing. Well done also to Swansea’s Mawson. Stoke’s Zouma. Bournemouth’s Smith. Arsenal’s Monreal. Southampton’s Yoshida. Leicester’s Morgan. Man City’s Delph. Watford’s Holebas. Spurs trio Alderweireld. Vertonghen & Sanchez also Newcastle’s Lascelles
MIDFIELDER: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Man City)
In a tight game, with top class footballers all over the pitch. Generally, it always takes a real top class player to settle such a game. That’s exactly what happened. KDB oozed class in the midfield with bundles of industry, creativity and energy which was unmatched. It was a goal worthy of settling a game of that magnitude from a player worthy of the man of the match award. Shout out also to his team mates Sterling & David Silva. West Ham’s Masuaku. Watford’s Richarlison. Man Utd duo Fellaini & Rashford. Bournemouth’s Pugh. Spurs’ Davies. Burnley’s Hendricks. Newcastle duo Shelvey & Ritchie. Liverpool’s Coutinho & Arsenal’s Sanchez.
FORWARD: HARRY KANE (Tottenham)
This was an easy one for me. The Spurs striker is absolutely on fire at the moment and there was no surprises at how well he took both his goals. The only surprise was the fact that he never completed his hat-trick. I’m sure he’s a bit upset to be taken off late by his manager. It’s now 16 goals in his last seven away games. Amazing stat. Well done also to West Ham’s Sakho. Stoke duo Diouf and Crouch and WBA’s Rondon.
MANAGER: SEAN DYCHE (Burnley)
Although there were some real contenders for this. I feel the job of the Burnley manager has gone under the radar. His team are up sixth in the table and have gone to Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and now Everton and picked up two wins and two draws. I’m sure not many would have predicted that. At Everton they were solid, disciplined and hard to break down, but were also a threat going forward which was demonstrated in their well crafted, 24 pass move, to score the only goal of the game.
UNSUNG HERO: RAHEEM STERLING (Man City)
Some may look at this and raise a few eyebrows. They may also claim it is easy for him playing in such a team. But with some big money signing over the summer, it wasn’t a surprise to see him start on the bench in City’s first two games of the season. Then in his first start, he received a late second yellow. But he has fought his way back into the team, playing well and scoring some important goals. He is the highest scoring midfielder so far this season with five already and from all the players with five or more goals, he has the best minutes to goal ratio. After his suspension, he has started the last three games, scoring two and turned in another very good performance at Chelsea.
GAME: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2-2 WATFORD
West Brom took an early lead in the game when Krychowiak played a long searching ball down the middle for Rondon to run onto, he outmuscled the defender to slip the ball home at the near post, from an acute angle (18). WBA were soon two up when Evans, at the far post, nodded in Phillips’ corner from the left, following a near post nick from a Watford player (21). Watford then pulled a goal back when Richarlison turned just past the centre circle and played Doucoure in. As he got just inside the box, he steadied himself and fired in a left footed effort into the far corner (37). With virtually the last kick in the game. After Richarlison was fouled on the left to get the free kick. He rose highest to nod home Holebas’ ball in, to snatch a dramatic, late equaliser.
GOAL: PHILIPPE COUTINHO (Liverpool) v Newcastle
Following a cross from the left into the box, the ball was sliced up in the air, then headed out by a Newcastle player. The ball then fell to Coutinho 30 yards out, he controlled the ball just outside the left of the box. He steadied himself, turned and cutting in from the left, dribbled between two defenders, then past another to make space, then unleashed a ferocious drive that flew in past the keeper at the near post.
FOOL: EVERTON FC
I know it’s still early days but after spending almost £150m. The fourth highest in the league this summer. With extremely high hopes of challenging the top six, adding in the return of Rooney. Though they have already played Man City, Chelsea, Spurs and Man Utd (losing the last three without scoring a goal) they were expecting to mount a run after beating Bournemouth last week. But they were real poor at home to Burnley. They have also started poorly in the Europa league and it just does not seem to be working for them. The early season euphoria has now been replaced by frustrations and worry. It’s an example of all that glitters is not gold and money alone can’t always buy success. FOOLS!
