TEAM: CHELSEA
The West Londoners signalled their intent off the field this month, and have certainly done the same on the field. In the first half they dismantled Arsenal in the own back yard, then went on cruise control for the rest of the match. It felt like it was almost too easy and they were toying with their London rivals, as there was no need to get out of second gear to win the match. Well done also to Man City who were close to winning this, also Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham and Brighton.
GOALKEEPER: HUGO LLORIS (Tottenham)
This was a tough one as there were no real outstanding keepers to choose from. However, a few got clean sheets and several keepers made one excellent save in their game, which I had to choose from based on the save, the impact and the context of the game. Due to this, I went for the Spurs keepers’ one on one save, when Wolves were on top and pushing for an equaliser. The Frenchman used all his experience and abilities to help his team to three points. Shout out also to Crystal Palace’s Guaita, Liverpool’s Alisson, Arsenal’s Leno, Leeds’ Meslier and Brentford’s Raya who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: VALENTINO LIVRAMENTO (Southampton)
I couldn’t believe when I heard the Southampton full back is only 18, playing in only his second professional game. The composure he showed up against the likes of Pogba, Martial, Fernandes and Shaw was superb. Not only defensively, but he did his fair share of getting forward and pushing the united players back when necessary. The lad has a bright future. Well done also to his team mate Salisu, Spurs’ Reguilon, Wolves duo Coady & Kidman, Chelsea duo Rudigar & Azpilicueta, Villa’s Mings, Palace’s Guehi, Brentford trio Ajar, Jansson & Kinnock, Man City duo Walker & Laporte, Brighton’s Duffy also Liverpool’s duo Tsimikas and Alexander-Arnold who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: YVES BISSOUMA (Brighton)
Some may argue it was only Watford but he put in a real classy performance in midfield. On the ball, off the ball, putting challenges in, getting forward, assisting goals, being a presence and was easily the best player on the park. The key now is consistency and to sustain it throughout the season. Shout out also to his team mate Gross, Spurs’s Alli, Chelsea’s James, Liverpool’s Elliot, Palace’s Gallagher, Leeds duo Klich & Raphinha, Everton’s Gray, Man City’s Rodri, Man Utd duo Greenwood & Pogba, West Ham duo Fornals and Benrahma, also Villa duo El Ghazi & Ramsey who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: MICHAIL ANTONIO (West Ham)
Although it was aided by the Perez sending off in the first half, he bagged two goals to become West Ham’s all time Premier League top scorer, as well as an assist. He absolutely terrorised the Leicester defenders, who couldn’t do anything with him. His endless running with and without the ball, winning the ball back, hold up play, movement, vision and clinical finishing has him looking like a complete forward. Well done also to Southampton’s Adams, Liverpool duo Jota & Mane, Villa’s Ings, Wolves’ Traore, Everton’s Calvert-Lewin, Man City foursome, Gabriel Jesus, Grealish, Sterling & Mahrez, and Brighton’s Maupay and Chelsea’s Lukaku who was close to winning this.
MANAGER: THOMAS TUCHEL (Chelsea)
Don’t get me wrong, he’s had the money to go and buy the players he wants, however, he has really made an impact in the short time he has been at the club. The European champions have started the season well, and with Lukaku up front, supported by a strong first 11, along with a star studded bench, he has assembled a team who can do some real damage. Against Arsenal they looked well drilled and coasted to an easy victory.
UNSUNG HERO: HARVEY ELLLIOT (Liverpool)
Eyebrows were raised with him starting the game, having been on loan in the Championship all last season. Many were expecting him to have a bit part in the season and play in the cup games, but Klopp has shown real faith in him at the ripe old age of 18, starting him in just the second game of the season. To his credit, he didn’t look out of place, grew into the game well, almost got an assist, but for the offside flag, had a hand in the second goal and got better as the game went on. Certainly has a bright future.
GAME: LEEDS 2-2 EVERTON
After a fairly lively start, Everton opened the scoring from the spot. Digne’s ball in caused Cooper to hold back Calvert-Lewin in the box and after an appeal and VAR check, the penalty was awarded, which Calvert-Lewin dispatched (30). Ten minutes later, Leeds equalised when Raphinha flicked the ball forward from a goal kick, Bamford picked it up just outside the box and fed Klich running through the middle to sweep home (41). In the second half, Everton went back ahead when the lively Gray collected Doucoure’s pass just inside the box. Although his first touch was bad, he managed to steady himself and lash an angled, low shot in at the far post (50). Calvert-Lewin then had two efforts saved by Measlier, before Leeds got an equaliser. Phillips sent a ball into the box that dropped to Cooper, who touched it back for Raphinha to set himself and hit a first time, powerful, side footed effort, that curled neatly into the far corner (72).
GOAL: DANNY INGS (Aston Villa) v Newcastle
Villa had a throw in on right, where Cash launched the ball, long and high in the box. Mings, challenged by two defenders, rose highest to flick the ball on, then as the ball dropped, Ings unexpectedly found himself in space just by the penalty spot. He quickly adjusted his body, swivelled and executed a picture perfect scissor kick, that flew into the bottom corner of the net, giving the keeper absolutely no chance for a wonder strike.
FOOL: AYOZE PEREZ (Leicester)
Although West Ham were already one up, the game was still in the balance and as a spectacle, it was shaping up to be a good battle between two top six sides. However, Perez had a rush of blood to the head. He can try to make an argument of being off balanced, but he had a look and could have pulled out. Instead, he went in full blooded, with a horrible tackle that could have done some serious damage to Fornals, it was lucky he didn’t. In the end it was a very deserved red card that killed the game and the result for his team. FOOL!
