TEAM: BRENTFORD
It seems that every season there is a surprise package, and there is already no doubt who that is likely to be this season.
After just seven games, Brentford have really impressed, this week they continued that with an away win over arguably last seasons surprise package. Although it was a last minute winner, it was hardly a smash and grab, as they were good for the victory and played with confidence throughout.
Well done also to Tottenham, Wolves, Leeds and Chelsea.
GOALKEEPER: TIM KRUL (Norwich)
This was a tough decision as not many keepers were outstanding or really excelled this week, however, some made significant contributions to their team and the Norwich keeper’s performance was probably the most signifiant.
His performance didn’t contribute to his team winning, but it surely helped them not to lose, as Burnley had more of the chances but just couldn’t get past him.
Shout out also to Villa’s Martinez, Brentford’s Raya, Southampton’s McCarthy and Everton’s Pickford.
DEFENDER: PONTUS JANSSON (Brentford)
Quite simply, he was the leader on the pitch in every sense of the word. Against the likes of Antonio brimming with confidence, Benrahma, Fornals and Soucek.
He was like a wall in the back line, using the perfect blend of strength, pace, intelligence and timing to keep West Ham at bay. This allowed his team to go on a get a dramatic late winner, which he was involved in.
Well done also to his team mates Pinnock and Jorgensen, Brighton’s Cucurella, Chelsea’s Chalobah, Spurs’ Dier, Norwich’s Hanley, Burnley’s Tarkowski, Southampton’s Livramento, Brighton’s Dunk, Arsenal duo Gabriel and White, also Leeds’ Llorente who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: PHIL FODEN (Man City)
He is now starting to come into his own. No longer a bit part player or a young prospect off the bench, he is a starter and a main player in this star studded city team.
At Anfield he showed all of his mercurial talent and skill, on and off the ball also, what is very important for a forward thinking midfielder, an eye for goal, which he took superbly.
Shout out also to his team mate B.Silva, Palace’s Schlupp, Leicester’s Tielemans, Spurs duo Son & Hojbjerg, West Ham’s Bowen, Brentford’s Canos, Everton trio Townsend, Doucoure & Gray, Norwich’s Normann, Chelsea duo Chilwell & Azpilicueta, Man Utd’s Martial, Leeds duo Raphinha & James and Newcastle’s Hendrick.
FORWARD: MO SALAH (Liverpool)
It’s hard to say he is playing the best football of his career, as since he’s been at Liverpool he has been ultra consistent and had so many occasions where you can say this.
However, at present, he seems absolutely unplayable. It was all on showed against some of the best the Premier League has to offer in Man City. A superb run, with a pinpoint pass to create the first goal. Then an out of this world bit of skill, movement and a right footed finish for a splendid second goal.
Shout out also to his team mate Mane, Chelsea’s Werner, Wolves duo Jimenez & Hwang, Villa’s Watkins, Palace’s Olise, Leicester duo Iheanacho & Vardy, Villa’s Watkins also Brentford duo Mbeumo & Wissa.
MANAGER: PATRICK VIERA (Crystal Palace)
In his fledgling Premier League career, he seems to be building a reputation of making inspired substitutions and this was probably the most inspired.
Although Palace were the better side in the first half, an individual error saw them go a goal down, then just before half time, they were two down.
Palace looked dead and buried. Cue inspired sub no1, Olise comes on in the 53rd minute and pulls a goal back in the 61st. Cue inspired sub no2. Schlupp comes on in the 71st minute and 45 seconds later, he gets the equaliser with just his second touch. Enough said. Well done also to Brentford’s Frank.
UNSUNG HERO: HEE-CHAN HWANG (Wolves)
Obviously not unsung, just like his team mate and strike partner last week, but with the obvious pick for striker this week, I felt he also deserved some recognition after scoring both Wolves’ goals to win the game.
He has now scored three in five games and three out of the five goals Wolves’ have scored in the league this season. Both goals were lovely striker type finishes, both created by Jimenez where they seem to have formed a lethal partnership.
GAME: LIVERPOOL 2-2 MAN CITY
After an intense first half where City were much the better side and should have scored. Liverpool came alive in the second half and took the lead with a blistering counter attack.
Salah initially collected the ball in his own half, then received it back from Fabinho on the right touchline still inside his own half, he skipped over Concelo and went running down the right channel, then slipped a ball in for Mane who swept the ball past the on rushing Ederson (59).
However, ten minutes later, City were level when Jesus collected the ball from De Bruyne, ran from right to left just outside the box then slipped Foden in on the left, who controlled and expertly finished into the bottom far corner (69).
Liverpool then went back in front when Salah used his strength to collect the ball on the right of the box, used a bit of skill to roll the ball past B.Silva to get inside the box, then turned Laporte before slotting a right footed effort in the far corner (76).
However, City was back left 5 minutes later when De Bruyne found Foden of the left of the box, his cut back was missed by Walker & Robertson, but De Bruyne was arriving late to see his left footed drive deflected in off Matip (81).
GOAL: MO SALAH (Liverpool) v Man City
Fabinho found Jones, who looked up and found Salah lurking just outside the box on the right. Salah first used his strength to get to the ball infront of Cancelo, then controlled and rolled him.
In a split second, as he stood in between three City players on the edge of the box, as B.Silva came to challenge, Salah rolled the ball from his left to right, leaving B.Silva on the floor.
He then sized up Laporte inside the box, cut in on his left, then checked back onto his right and slotted the ball home with his right foot in off the far post.
FOOL: BRIGHTON FC
There were several candidates for this one. Ward-Prowse’ horror tackle after scoring the penalty. Paul Tierney for somehow not sending off James Milner.
Anderson’s error that allowed Leicester to score the opening goal. Newcastle lost again. However, I still cant get over Brighton’s shooting against Arsenal.
I mean, they did dominate the game and were lucky they did because it would have been even worse if they had lost. But their shooting was straight from a Sunday league game and that’s no exaggeration.
To think they had 21 goal attempts with only two on target and their first shot on target didn’t come until the 83rd minute. WTF!? FOOLS!
