TEAM: ARSENAL
After a horrendous last few months of 2020, it seems the Gunners have turned it around and really hit form. They were only one to two teams to record two wins in the week and just pipped United, although the Manchester team moved into second. Arsenal went to Brighton, who did the double over them last season but there was no such luck for them this time as Arsenal were solid and strong at the back and took their chance upfront. Then with confidence, went to WBA and destroyed them, playing some scintillating football, like, dare I say, the Arsenal of old. Well done also to Man Utd, Leeds, Burnley, Man City and West Ham.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID DE GEA (Man Utd)
Maybe its purely coincidental but United’s good form has come at a time where De Gea is starting to find his feet again. He has not been in outstanding form, but no keeper has. However, he has been in very good form and has certainly contributed to United’s new found confidence. Against Wolves especially, he made a few very decent saves to keep the game at 0-0, which allowed his team to go on and win the game at the death. Shout out also to Newcastle’s Darlow, Aston Villa’s Martinez, West Ham’s Randolph, Tottenham’s Lloris and Arsenal’s Leno.
DEFENDER: KEIRAN TIERNEY (Arsenal)
Even throughout Arsenal’s bad spell he was still one of the stand out players, putting in decent performances, whether it is left back or left side of the back three, he has been solid and consistent. He’s been strong in defence, while a threat going forward. He showed two sides of him this week. At Brighton he put in a mature defensive performance, then at WBA, an attacking threat with a superb goal and an assist. Well done also to his team mate Mari, Southampton trio Walker-Peters, Bednarek and Stephens, Burnley’s Mee, Newcastle duo Schar & Fernandez, Leeds duo Ayling & Alioski, Wolves Saiss, Villa trio Cash, Konsa & Hause, Leicester duo Evans & Castagne, West Ham foursome Dawson, Ogbonna, Coufal & Cresswell, Brighton’s Dunk, Man City duo Cancelo & Stones.
MIDFIELDER: TOMAS SOUCEK (West Ham Utd)
This was a really tough one as no midfielder really performed over the two games, and one not so good performance may have cancelled out a good one. So I went for a consistent performer. This could have been one for the unsung hero category, as all season he has gone about his business in a quiet but efficient manor. Has been an absolute revelation in midfield with his tireless running, hard tackles, passing ability and eye for a goal, which again he demonstrated with the winner at Everton. Shout out also to his team mate Rice, Man City trio Rodri, Gundogan & Foden, Villa trio Traore, Grealish & El Ghazi, Leicester trio Barnes, Tielemans & Maddison, Burnley’s Brownhill, Southampton’s Romeu, Palace duo Schlupp & Townsend, Man Utd duo Fernandes & Rashford, Spurs’s Son, Brighton’s Bissouma, Leeds trio Raphinha, Harrison & Rodrigo also Arsneal duo Saka & Smith Rowe who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Man City)
Although he only played one game this week, while Man City were struggling for strikers, as a captain, he took on the roll playing central striker and revelled in it. I dont think any striker had a single better game this week. He scored one well taken goal and assisting another, he was a constant thorn in Chelsea’s and the likes of Thiago Silva side, who he kept occupied all game. Well done also to Palace duo Zaha & Eze, Chelsea’s Giroud, Brighton’s Connolly, Man Utd’s Martial, Southampton’s Ings, Newcastle’s Carroll, Chelsea’s Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal’s Lacazette who was really close to winning this.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
The change in team has been like night and day. Arsenal now seem to be playing with confidence and verve. Youngsters such as Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli seem to have a pep in their step and have been driving the team on. With the likes of Tierney, Mari and Holding looking consistent, At Brighton they needed a goal, Arteta put on Lacazette and seconds later he scored. At WBA it was total destruction with Arsenal rolling back the years playing pass and move football and scoring some superb goals.
UNSUNG HERO: EMILE SMITH ROWE (Arsenal)
It’s crazy to think this 20 year old has only played 5 senior games for Arsenal and already seems like a driving force in the team. He came in during a difficult time for Arsenal and along with another youngster Saka, and have helped to transform their form and fortunes, with now three straight victories where he has played a major roll in midfield. He has really impressed me with his composure on the ball and vision and is really enjoying his football.
GAME1: CHELSEA 1-1 ASTON VILLA
Chelsea opened the scoring when Mount played a ball inside for Giroud, with his back to goal 25 yards out, his back flick found Pulisic to his left, he then shifted a ball to his left again for Chilwell who played a first time ball in for Giroud coming in just outside the six yard box with a stooped, diving head to score (34) Villa equalised in the second half when Grealish in the middle of the park played a ball left to Cash, who set himself and cross a ball in to the far post for El Ghazi to side foot home, on the volley between Mendy’s legs to score (50).
GAME2 BRIGHTON 3-3 WOLVES
Brighton opened the scoring early when Trossard twisted and turned down the right, put a cross in with his left and Connolly reacted quickest to poke the ball in just ahead of Patricio (13). Wolves soon got an equaliser followed a corner that Semedo miss kicked his shot, did well to recover then clip a ball in for Saiss to head home beautifully (19). Wolves then went 2-1 up when Sanchez dived to save Neto’s deflected save but the ball went back in off Burn (34). Wolves stretched their lead before half time when White fouled Traore in the box and Neves made no mistake from the spot (44). In the second half, Brighton pulled a goal back just a minute into the half when Moutinho fouled Maupay and he stepped up to finish from 12 yards (46). Brighton huffed and puffed and Webster hit the bar before they eventually got their reward when Dunk rose high to head home Trossard’s corner (70).
GOAL1: RAPHINHA (Leeds) v West Brom
Struik played a ball across the back to Dallas in the right back position, who played a ball to Raphinha by the touchline. He then played it square, back to Dallas and motored down the right touchline. Just inside the WBA half, Dallas played a one, two with Shackleton, then played a first time ball to the onrushing Raphinha down the right, who controlled the ball on his left, just five yards outside the box, cut inside two WBA defenders and as the space opened up, unleashed and rasping drive that arrowed into the far top corner.
GOAL2: EBERECHI EZE (Crystal Palace) v Sheff Utd
Ten minutes after coming on for the injured other goal scorer Shlupp, Eze picked up the ball deep in the Palace half. He cut inside one player and drove forward into the Sheff Utd half, he then skipped past another player onto his left, then slalomed back onto his right, where he set himself and from just outside the box, curled a lovely low effort into the far bottom corner.
FOOL: SAM ALLARDYCE (West Bromwich Albion)
After a decent point at Anfield, Sam and his team seemed to celebrate like that was the point that kept them in the league, or even, won them the league, forgetting that we are not even half way through the season yet. He was cheerful in interviews, quick to give himself and praise and pat himself on the back…Then went and got slapped at home 5-0 to Leeds, then days later got slapped again at home 4-0 to Arsenal. I guess all that celebrating and praise was bit premature eh sam? FOOL!
