TEAM: EVERTON
Although there were a few decent away wins this week, for me, none were more unexpected then Everton, who certainly hope they’ve started as they mean to go on this season. Everton fans hope their team have finally got the transfer window right as their new signings all seemed to gel right away, putting in decent performances as they nullified Spurs in their own back yard and looked fairly comfortable in a very impressive away win to start the season. Well done also to Wolves, Leicester, Newcastle, Chelsea, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
GOALKEEPER: VINCENTE GUAITA (Crystal Palace)
This was a close one as two keepers really deserved this, but in the end I went for the Palace keeper who pulled off some real decent saves and two top class ones, to preserve a clean sheet and allow his team to come away with a win to start the season. Shout also to Everton’s Pickford who was close to winning this also Newcastle’s Darlow.
DEFENDER: GABRIEL (Arsenal)
For a defender, as debut’s go, it was an absolute dream. Having not played any competitive football for the best part of five months, to come in and put in a rock solid performance at the back, barely putting a foot wrong and getting an important second goal in your team’s 3-0 away win to start the season, well, you cant really ask for more. Well done also to his team mate Tierney, Newcastle duo Lewis & Lascelles, Palace duo Dann & Kouyate, Everton duo Digne & Mina, Wolves duo Saiss & Coady, Chelsea’s James, Leicester duo Soyuncu and Castagne who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: ALLEN (Everton)
Everton could really have a gem on their hands with this player, judging by his debut, if he continues in this form them they could be going places. He strolled around the park at Spurs like he’s been playing in the Premier League for years, totally unfazed. He can do it all, strong in the tackle, has energy to get up and own, can pick a pass and has great vision. Was more or less a complete performance. Shout out also to his team mate James, Newcastle duo Hendrick & Shelvey, Leeds trio Phillips, Klich & Harrison and
FORWARD: MO SALAH (Liverpool)
Naturally, this was a pretty easy one, the hat-trick hero dug his team out of a tricky opening day fixture, but even without the three goals, his all around play was a joy. He looked sharp from the first whistle and gave the Leeds defenders hell with his running on and off the ball, close control and movement. Scored one screamer and showed great composure to easily net two penalties. Well done also to Leicester’s Vardy, Arsenal duo Willian & Aubameyang, Newcastle’s Wilson, Leeds’ Bamford, Palace’s Zaha, Everton’s Calvert-Lewin, Brighton’s Trossard and Wolves’ Jimenez.
MANAGER: CARLO ANCELOTTI (Everton)
Nobody is doubting he is a top class manager, but there is no doubt this is his toughest project trying to get a sleeping, perennial failing giant back amongst the elite. Last season would have let him know how big the task is and he has certainly listened by going out an purchasing some real top class players who all contributed to a very good team performance to outplay, outwork and outfox Jose Mourinho Tottenham.
UNSUNG HERO: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN (Everton)
With Everton delving into the transfer market heavily for the past few years, the surprisingly thing is that he has fought off all contenders to be a main stay upfront. Often expected to play a bit part, he has worked and worked on his game to the point where he has made it impossible to leave him out. Now with all the stars in the team, he is still leading the line and scored a superb headed winner to emphasise his value to the team.
GAME: LIVERPOOL 4-3 LEEDS
In a very surprisingly open game, Liverpool took the lead when Salah’s shot hit Koch’s arm in the box and the Egyptian rifled in from the spot (4). Leeds then equalised when Phillips played a lovely ball out wide to Harrison, who expertly controlled and cut inside Alexander-Arnold, then Gomez and hit a low effort in at the near post (12). Liverpool then took the lead again when Van Dijk powered in Robertson’s corner from the left (20). Ten minutes later, Leeds were level again when Van Dijk failed to deal with a high ball and presented the ball to Bamford who expertly slipped the ball past Alisson (30). However, Liverpool was again in front when Leeds cleared a ball into the box, which landed at Salah’s feet, who controlled with his right and lashed into the roof of then net at an angle, for a superb finish (33). In the second half, Leeds once again equalised when Costa picked up the ball on the right, then played a ball in the box for the onrushing Klich, who controlled and lashed a volley into the far bottom corner (66). Liverpool then finally won the match when sub Rodrigo fouled Fabinho in the box and Salah coolly slotted in the penalty for his hat-trick and the win (87).
GOAL: PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Arsenal) v Fulham
In a move that started from the goalkeeper and worked its way from the centre to right, then into midfield, where two players got into a tangle on the half way line. Willian then reacted quickest just on the inside right, to pick up the ball and play a searching pass across field to Aubameyang, who controlled in the box, cut inside onto his right foot and curled an unstoppable effort into the far top corner. There was also a superb goal from Chelsea’s James.
FOOL: TOTTENHAM FC
It was a horrible opening game from the North Londoners who after a disappointing end to last season, really needed to get off to a good start. However, with no real injury issues and no excuses, they really flattered to deceive. I don’t think they have yet to get over the sacking of Pochettino, who people said the players wasn’t playing for, this is why he had to go and “proven winner” Mourinho was brought in. However, against Everton out of 12 teams this week, they were 12th for interceptions, 12th for possession won and 11th for attempted tackles, not exactly a winning mentality. FOOLS!
