TEAM: MAN CITY
The battle of the teams who many regard as the top two in the League, ended in a dominant performance by the league champions over the Champions League winners.
City really flexed their muscle at Stamford Bridge and gave Chelsea plenty to think about. Pep’s men were better in every aspect of the game, to the point where Chelsea did not register a single shot on goal.
Well done also to Aston Villa, Arsenal, West Ham, Wolves and Everton.
GOALKEEPER: JOSE SA (Wolves)
This was a difficult decision as there were a few in contention. However, the new Wolves keeper has some big gloves to fill after replacing Patricio, but is doing his best to fill them.
He really earned his clean sheet against Southampton with several decent saves, as the home team threatened, especially in the second half but they couldn’t get past him. This allowed his team to go on an get the only goal to win the game, which he assisted with some quick thinking.
Well done also to Arsenal’s Ramsdale, Newcastle’s Darlow, Brentford’s Reya, Chelsea’s Mendy and Aston Villa’s Martinez.
DEFENDER: KORTNEY HAUSE (Aston Villa)
Just his defending on its own would have put him in contention for this award, as he battled hard to thwart the likes of Ronaldo, Fernandes, Greenwood and Pogba.
However, not content with keeping them out at one end, he pops up at the other end to convert the corner with a lovely angled header to win the game.
Well done also to his team mates Mings & Konsa, Brentford’s Pinnock, Everton’s Mina, Arsenal duo Tomiyasu & Tierney, Wolves duo Coady & Saiss, Man City duo Dias & Cancelo also Palace’s Ward.
MIDFIELDER: EMILE SMITH ROWE (Arsenal)
In the North London derby, a game that is usually fast and frantic, he showed some calm, grace and maturity for his tender age in such a game.
Against a midfield that cost in excess of £75m, he was the stand out player, with his energy up and down the pitch, lovely little touches the opening goal, an assist and was even part of the third goal to settle the derby in the first half.
Shout out also to his team mate Xhaka & Saka, Leicester’s Tielemans, Villa’s McGinn, Leeds’ Raphinha, West Ham’s duo Rice & Bowen, Brentford’s Janelt, Everton’s Doucoure, Liverpool’s Jones, Newcastle duo S.Longstaff & Wilock and Watford’s Sarr.
FORWARD: JAMIE VARDY (Leicester)
He had a disastrous start by scoring an own goal to give Burnley the lead. However, he more than made a mends as he scored the equaliser with a typical run and pin point finish into the bottom corner.
Then as usual, he was again the go to man for Leicester as he got a second equaliser with another typical excellent piece of forward play and finish.
Well done also to Burnley’s Cornet, Liverpool duo Salah & Jota, Arsenal’s Aubameyang, Tottenham’s Son, West Ham’s Antonio, Man City’s Jesus, Wolves’ Jimenez, Brentford’s Toney and Palace’s Zaha and Brighton’s Maupay.
MANAGER: PEP GUARDIOLA (Man City)
After losing the Champions League final to Chelsea, Pep knew he had to put down a marker and for all the attacking prowess on the pitch, it was defensively that they really excelled.
It felt like they did a Chelsea job on Chelsea, as the West Londoners just couldn’t break them down. City also dominated the ball, seemed more athletic and was sharper in every aspect.
UNSUNG HERO: RAUL JIMENEZ (Wolves)
Obviously not unsung, but I really wanted to give him some recognition. He’s had a hard road back after his horrific injury at the Emirates in November last year.
Has tentatively made strides to come back and being out almost a year, naturally it will take time to be back to his best, let alone having to adjust to wearing the head guard. He had showed signs recently but to no avail.
However, his first goal back was well worth the wait, as he showed strength, skill, composure and that finishing ability.
GAME: BRENTFORD 3-3 LIVERPOOL
After both teams saved goals off the line, Brentford opened the scoring with a goal straight from the training ground.
Janelt played a free kick half way in Liverpool’s half, square for Norgaard, who played a first time ball down right for Canos, he then drove it across the face where Toney back flicked on, for Pinnock to arrive at the far post to score (27).
Just minutes later, Liverpool were level when Alexander-Arnold played a ball down the right for Salah, who played it down the line for Henderson to put a first time cross in for Jota to head home (30).
In the second half, Liverpool went ahead when Fabinho played a ball into the box for Salah to arrive and side foot home which was given after VAR overruled the linesman (54). Brentford were back level when Canos played a deep ball over from the right to the back post.
Three Brentford players challenged Alexander-Arnold for the ball who fell, the ball dropped to Jansson, who swivelled and hit the bar, but as the ball bounced up, Janelt was on hand to beat Van Dijk & Matip in the air, at the second attempt to head home (63). Liverpool then scored a third.
Jones picked up the ball just outside the box on the left and his rasping drive took a slight deflection and flew in (67). However, Brentford again equalised when another cross came in from the right causing havoc, as bodies fell, sub Wissa was on hand to cooly dink over Alisson and in (82).
GOAL: RAUL JIMINEZ (Wolves) v Southampton
The Wolves keeper started the move with some quick thinking. He spotting Jimenez isolated, with a bit of space upfront.
He launched his goal kick accurately towards him down the left channel. As the ball bounced over Jimenez, he used his strength to get in front of his marker to the ball, he then cut inside a second defender, leaving him on the ground.
Then as he got in the box, he shaped to shoot, but cut back inside another defender, leaving him on the ground and cooly slotted the ball in the bottom corner.
FOOL: TOTTENHAM FC
This is not just because they were top of the table after three games and now just six games in, they are below Arsenal who were bottom when they were top.
This is not only because they probably should have cashed in on Kane when they had the chance, as he now looks disinterested to play for them.
But in the one game you expect no motivation is needed for the players, the whole Spurs team seemed unmotivated, lacked heart, fight, desire and looked clueless, allowing Arsenal to rip them apart to the point where Spurs were out of the game almost before they even started. FOOLS!
