TEAM: WATFORD
For a time, this was a difficult call as the performances of the top three were all worthy of being here.
However, the mostly unlikely result was the Watford victory, even with United going down to 10 men in the second half. It was worse for united that Watford missed two penalties and fully deserved the battering they gave united that cost Ole his job.
Well done also to Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Wolves, Norwich, Aston Villa & Tottenham.
GOALKEEPER: HUGO LLORIS (Tottenham)
It was a relatively low key for keepers this week with not many shining, but a few did make an impact and none more than the Spurs man.
His team were a bag of nerves as Leeds were on top in the first half and finally broke the deadlock on the stoke of half time. But if it wasn’t for Lloris, they could have gone in a few up and had more shots in the game, but he kept them down to just the one goal, allowing his team to record an important come from behind victory.
Well done also to Chelsea’s Mendy, Arsenal’s Ramsdale, Villa’s Martinez, Brentford’s Fernandez & Palace’s Guaita.
DEFENDER: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (Liverpool)
Many may say much of what he does good is forward thinking more than anything defensive, which is a point.
However, it doesn’t mean he can abandon his defensive duties and attack is the best form of defence. He was again a menace down the right, tormenting the Arsenal back line and it was his delightful delivery that created the first, and even at 3-0, he pooped up in the box to put it on a plate for Minamino to score the fourth.
Well done also to Man City’s Cancelo, Chelsea duo Rudiger & Silva, Spurs’ Reguilon, Watford’s Femenia, Villa Mings, Wolves’ trio Kilman, Coady & Saiss, Burnley’s Mee, Palace’ Guehi & Norwich duo Gibson & Hanley.
MIDFIELDER: NGOLO KANTE (Chelsea)
He already seems to have almost everything in his locker, adding more goals is just a scary prospect.
As usual, seems to cover every blade of grass with his tireless and unselfish running for the team to break up play and stop opposition attacks. Short in stature, but massive in the midfield defensively and offensively as he showed with the superb second goal.
Shout out also to his team mates James & Chilwell, Liverpool’s Oxlade-Chamberlain, Spurs’ Hojbjerg, Watford duo Cleverley & Louza, Leeds’ James, Wolves duo Semedo & Neves, Man Utd’s Van de Beek, Newcastle’s Shelvey, Brentford duo Henry & Canos, Norwich’s Gilmour & Man City duo B.Silva & Rodri who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: CHRISTIAN BENTEKE (Crystal Palace)
Although there were a few decent forward performances this week, it wasn’t a hard choice as the Palace man was the only forward to notch a double. He seems to have a new lease of life since the new manger come in and now he really hopes to reap the rewards.
Got a bit of luck with his deflected left footed shot for his first. Missed a good opportunity before dusting himself off to expertly finish first time for his second. He also played a part in his teams’ third goal, just unlucky it didn’t lead to 3 points.
Well done also to Watford foursome Sarr, Dennis, King & Pedro, Liverpool trio Mane, Jota & Salah, Chelsea’s Pulisic, Man City’s Sterling, Wolves’ Jimenez, Villa’s Watkins, Newcastle duo Saint-Maximin & Joelinton, Burnley duo Wood & Cornet, Southampton’s Adams & Norwich’s Pukki.
MANAGER: CLAUDIO RANIERI (Watford)
Again, Watford were aided by the second half sending off which helped to make the score line even wider but his team were already leading when that happened and missed two penalties so in the end the score line was justified.
I loved how he played an attacking team but also forced those attacking players to work hard. defensively, he really got every ounce of effort out of them and got the rewards for it. Shout out also to Chelsea’s Tuchel, Liverpool’s Klopp & Wolves’ Lage.
UNSUNG HERO: RODRI (Man City)
It really was touch and go between him and the Chelsea man for he midfielder award and the Chelsea man just got it due to the opposition and being away.
However, Rodri could have easily got it, he is fast becoming a Rolls Royce of a midfielder, oozes class, seems to always have time, dictates play, can pick a pass and break up opposition attacks. Seems to radiate calm throughout the team and as he showed this week, can score superb goals.
GAME: NEWCASTLE 3-3 BRENTFORD
Newcastle opened the scoring early when Ritchie swung over a left footed corner from the right, for Lascelles to rise high and power a header home (10).
Brentford equalised instantly when Canos found Toney on the edge of the box, who expertly swivelled and his shot seemed to go through Darlow (11). Brentford then went ahead when Canos swung over a cross from the right with his left foot, for Henry to steal in at the back post and head down, into the net (31).
Joelinton then equalised for Newcastle following Saint-Maximin’s shot that was blocked, the ricochet fell to the Brazilian from 9 yards, who controlled with his right and blasted in low with his left (39).
In the second half, Toney saved off the line before Brentford got a third when Henry’s ball sneaked through to Onyeka on the edge of the box and his shot deflected off Lascelles and in (61).
Newcastle were back on level terms when sub Fraser picked out Saint-Maximin at the far post who neatly volley home first time, despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball. Burnley & Palace also played out a thrilling 3-3 draw.
GOAL: RODRI (Man City) v Everton
Man City went steaming forward, the ball was played from right to left and found Foden who played a low cross into the box.
The ball was controlled by Keane but poorly cleared as it rolled outside the box. Running onto the ball as it rolled out, Rodri unleashed an unstoppable first time drive from 25 yards that flew into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.
There was also a great goal from Burnley’s Cornet.
FOOL: MANCHESTER UNITED FC
Normally I would go for the manager, who to be fair has been poor. However, regardless of how poor the manager’s been, for me it, seems the players are just not responding to him.
United regularly play a first team squad worth £500m each game, yet some of their performances this season has been abysmal and embarrassing for such an expensive squad. The board also takes blame as Ole should have been gone a long time, seeing how he cannot motivate the players.
But they got there in the end after another devastating defeat which forced their hand in an all-around shit show. FOOLS!
