TEAM: SOUTHAMPTON
I mostly favour decent away wins over good home ones, so Arsenal may feel a little aggrieved, however, I just couldn’t ignore Southampton’s win over Man City. A team that got nine put past them at home this season, against a free flowing City team who just beat Liverpool 4-0. Though they had to whether many storms and ride their luck, they battled impressively, showed great desire and determination to keep Man City’s stars at bay, and still had the wherewithal to keep Man City occupied at the back where Adams scored a peach, which was well worthy of winning the game. Along with Arsenal, well done also to Chelsea, Leicester, Brighton, Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham.
GOALKEEPER: ALEX MCCARTHY (Southampton)
It was an amazing and truly heroic rearguard display from the Southampton keeper and I am still scratching my head, wondering how he came away with a clean sheet. Man City came forward in droves and when they eventually got behind the defence, the keeper showed two strong pair of hands, agility, anticipation and determination to earn a deserved clean sheet. Shout out also to Newcastle’s Dubravka, Sheff Utd’s Henderson and Liverpool’s Alisson.
DEFENDER: JACK STEPHENS (Southampton)
Although he had a lot of help from his team mates who all should be recognised, he was the pick of the defenders, where he threw absolutely everything in the way of shots in an effort to stop, block, disrupt and stop the Man City players. It was a fully deserved man of the match performance in a much earned and impressive win and clean sheet. Well done also to his team mates Walker-Peters, Bertrand & Bednarek, Burnley’s Tarkowski, Sheff Utd’s Egan, Brighton’s Dunk, Spurs’ Dier, Arsenal’s Mustafi and Chelsea’s Azpilicueta.
MIDFIELDER: MASON GREENWOOD (Man Utd)
With Man Utd’s 4231 formation, there is debate in what position the 3 in that formation play? For me and for the benefit of this it’s attacking midfield which allows this award. It’s amazing to think he is still only 18. He’s Already fifth on the list of highest scoring teenagers in the league and with five games to go, he could rise on that list. Took both his goals expertly, with superb movement, awareness and lethal finishing ability that tells you he is destined to be a star on all levels. Shout out also to his tea mates Fernandes, Rashford & Matic, Bournemouth’s Stanislas, West Ham duo Bowen & Soucek, Newcastle duo Shelvey & Almiron, Southampton duo Romeu & Ward-Prowse, Liverpool’s Jones, Brighton’s Trossard, Leicester’s Barnes also Chelsea duo Barkley & Mount.
FORWARD: JAMIE VARDY (Leicester)
He has struggled since the restart and so has his team, but with qualities the kind that he possesses, it was always going to be just a matter of time until he got his 100th goal. It was a testament to his trademark never give up attitude as he had a frustrating game, until he reacted quickest to turn in Barnes’ cross after a defensive mistake. Then the confidence came flooding back as he took his second goal with the type of classy finish we have all come to expect. Well done also to his team mate Iheanacho Arsenal duo Saka & Lacazette, Liverpool’s Mane, West Ham’s Antonio, Southampton’s Adams, Man Utd’s Martial and Chelsea’s Giroud.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
This was quite a tough one with several managers in the running. Although Southampton did pull off the very unlikely upset, it was more down to them defending and holding out, which is no mean feat against Man City. However, I opted for the Arsenal man who has had a decent 2020. After the season returned they opened with two defeats, now they’ve had three wins on the bounce to put them back in European football contention and this away win at Wolves was the best yet, with a strong rearguard display, restricting Wolves to just one shot on target and getting goals upfront from two players surprisingly not Aubameyang.
UNSUNG HERO: BUKAYO SAKA (Arsenal)
England’s future certainly looks bright, this is another youngster showing promise. Only 18, he scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal to open the scoring at Wolves, with a superb finish. What is more impressive is his versatility, and it seems wherever he plays he looks comfortable. Against Wolves he played right side of the front three. Previously he has already played left back, left wing back, left midfield, centre midfield and left striker, that’s the sign of a real quality player.
GAME: NEWCASTLE 2-2 WEST HAM
West Ham took a very early lead when a ball was played into Antonio, with his back to goal, he played a first time ball square to Fornals, who threaded a ball through for Bowen down the inside right channel into the box, his cross was missed by Lascelles with Antonio behind him, he controlled and lashed into the roof of the net (4). Newcastle were soon on level terms when Joelinton played a ball inside to Gayle, who played it right to Saint-Maximin to run at goal, he then played a ball right to Krafth, whose low cross was turned in by Almiron inside the six yard box (17). In the second half, West Ham went in front again following a corner that was crossed in by Cresswell to the far post. Rice stormed in to head against the bar, as the ball dropped, Soucek was on hand to volley home (65). Just two minutes later, Newcastle equalised again when Joelinton picked up a clearance just outside the box, he played it square to Shelvey, who played a one, two with Gayle in the box and finished with his left foot, low, across the keeper into the bottom corner (67).
GOAL: ANTHONY MARTIAL (Man Utd) v Bournemouth
Man Utd drove forward with the ball with Pogba, Fernandes, Greenwood and Matic exchanging passes just outside the Bournemouth box. The ball came back to Fernandes who played a ball to the left to Martial just outside the corner of the box. The Frenchman, just outside the box, cut inside onto his right foot and from 20 yards out, curled an unstoppable effort with pace and power, that flew into the top far corner of the net.
FOOL: NORWICH FC
Although it’s not yet mathematically certain, most were already in agreement before the season resumed that Norwich were already gone. However, as it’s not yet mathematically certain, the Norwich players should still have some belief and try to play like it. But unfortunately, they seemed to be playing like they have lost all hope and are just waiting the inevitable. It’s a sad sight to see from a team who although rock bottom, do give teams a game at home and did beat Man City. But against Brighton, who wasn’t much better themselves, they were devoid of any ideas, desire, hope, determination and above all pride. FOOLS!
