TEAM: LIVERPOOL
Although there were some notable performances this week, none were more eye catching than Liverpool’s demolition of Southampton.
They seem to be goal machines at the moment and can score at will, Southampton just couldn’t live with their movement on and off the ball, pressing and slick passing, as they overpowered their opponents to a record of scoring two or more goals in now 17 consecutive games.
Well done also to Aston Villa, Brentford, Leicester, Man City and Arsenal.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID DE GEA (Man Utd)
Under pressure and facing an away trip to Chelsea, no matter who you are, it’s imperative your keeper has a good game and that’s exactly what happened.
Chelsea dominated large parts of the game with United trying to hit them on the break, but De Gea had to be on his game to keep Chelsea out and was within a whisker away from getting a clean sheet and victory but was beaten from the penalty spot.
Shout out also to West Ham’s Fabianski, Liverpool’s Alisson, Brighton’s Sanchez, Leeds’ Meslier, Wolves’ Sa, Arsenal’s Ramsdale and Brentford’s Fernandez who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: ANDREW ROBERTSON (Liverpool)
Recently there had been words about his early season form and starting place but shut that all down with a typical, lung bursting, all energy and all action display.
Created the first goal to get his team underway and was a thorn in Southampton’s side all day with is tireless running up and down the left flank. Was also defensively sound and none of Southampton’s chances came from his side.
Well done also to his teammate Van Dijk, Chelsea duo Rudiger & Silva, Man Utds Bailly, Arsenal’s Gabriel & Tavares, Brighton’s Lamptey, Brentford duo Goode & Pinnock, Norwich duo Williams & Aarons, Wolves’ Coady, Palace’s Guehi also Villa duo Targett & Mings.
MIDFIELDER: JAMES MADDISON (Leicester)
Another player who had been fairly quiet over the early stages of the season, although he had his injury issues. However, he really put his name back on everyone lips with this performance.
First opened the scoring with a neatly taken goal and then assisted two his teams 4-2 win, which tells you all you need to know. He looked like the player of old who was the focal point for everything and absolutely made things happen.
Well done also to Man Utd duo McTominay & Matic, Liverpool trio Henderson, Thiago & Fabinho, Man City duo Gundogan & Fernandinho, Brighton’s Lamptey, Brentford’s Janelt, Arsenal’s Saka, West Ham’s Lanzini, Norwich’s Gilmour and Villa’s McGinn.
FORWARD: JAMIE VARDY (Leicester)
If there is one thing that has been certain over the past few years is Vardy will score goals. Although at times he might have dips, even more so when that happens, it’s just a matter of time before he starts scoring again.
In typical fashion, his energy and movement off the ball helped to create his chances and just as we have come accustomed to, he was clinical in the box.
Shout out also to his teammate Lookman, Liverpool’s Jota & Salah, Man Utd’s Sancho, Arsenal’s Martinelli, Watford duo King & Dennis and Brentford’s Toney.
MANAGER: STEVEN GERRARD (Aston Villa)
Obviously, it’s still very early days, but when he came to Villa, they were on a five-game losing streak.
Now Gerrard has won two in a row with two very good performances, playing attacking formations. His team handed Palace their first home defeat of the season, playing the likes of 36-year-old Young and 20-year-old Ramsey showing faith in both to good effect.
Well done also to Liverpool’s Klopp
UNSUNG HERO: DIOGO JOTA (Liverpool)
He is obviously not unsung, but at the same time he still could be. When he came to Liverpool, naturally he was a backup and it was hard to see how he could infiltrate Liverpool’s fantastic threesome.
But credit to him, from very early he showed his quality and worth to the team and even more credit, with is movement, passing and finishing, has fit in the team like a glove. That’s the biggest compliment you could pay him.
He is now joint third top scorer in the league with his two goals this week.
GAME: LEICESTER 4-2 WATFORD
The scoring started very early following a terrible mistake Ekong, after a big clearance let the ball bounce over him, only to see Maddison run onto the ball and volley home (16).
Watford then equalised from the spot when Dennis was fouled by Ndidi in the box and King made no mistake (30). Leicester went ahead a few minutes later when Maddison dug a ball out from the left in the channel for Vardy to run onto and dink it over the keeper (34).
Vardy then got his second when Maddison whipped over a left sided corner and Vardy go across his marker at the near post to head over the keeper (42). In the heavy snow, Watford pulled a goal back when Dennis dispossessed Castagne, ran through on goal, sat Schmeichel down and coolly dinked over him (61).
With conditions increasingly poor, Leicester sealed the win when Barnes ran onto a ball from Thomas down the left channel and his shot was blocked but the ball ran across the six-yard box for Lookman to tap home (68).
GOAL: MANUEL LANZINI (West Ham) v Man City
With West Ham trailing 2-0 and Man City trying to see the game out, a headed clearance from the box came out to Fernandinho just on the edge, he tried to chest it down but Lanzini stole in front of him and nicked the ball away.
He let the ball bounce just outside the box and in one movement, swivelled and let fly with a right footed efforted that went in off the near post.
FOOL: EVERTON FC
I was really surprised when I looked at the form table to see that Everton has lost five or their last six.
They are the worst team in terms of form in the Premier League at the moment and although they are missing a few to injury, most notably Calvert-Lewin, Mina & Richarlison, they should still have enough to compete and get some points on the board.
I am not sure if they are just not responding to Rafa or just feeling sorry for themselves, but they are in free fall and after this defeat at Brentford are now just six points off the relegation zone. FOOLS!
