TEAM: MANCHESTER CITY
It was a fairly tough decision this week. Although four teams picked up two wins in a week, two teams had two home wins and two had two away wins.
City and Liverpool won both their away games this week and it was really hard to separate them but looking at performance as whole on both the two games and the fact that they went top, I gave it to City on a wafer-thin decision.
Well done also to as stated Liverpool, also Man Utd and Tottenham.
GOALKEEPER: EMILIANO MARTINEZ (Aston Villa)
As per usual when you have to games in a week, it’s very difficult to pick an outright winner. This was again the case here with a few keepers having one great individual performance and one ok one.
However, the Villa man, playing against better opposition just sneaks it. Although it was in a losing effort against Man City, he certainly kept his team in which a chance at snatching something in the second half. Then against Leicester, put on a typical display with a few superb saves to help his team earn a victory.
Shout out also to Newcastle’s Dubravka, Tottenham’s Lloris, Man City’s Ederson, Watford’s Bachmann & Brighton’s Sanchez.
DEFENDER: FABIEN SCHAR (Newcastle)
I know eyebrows will be raised at this but hear me out. Against Norwich, without his captain, his team went down to 10 men after just 9 minutes and they almost pulled off a win but for a late equaliser, but still it was a great effort to get a point.
After playing with 10 men for almost a whole game, in midweek, he then helped his returning captain to get a clean sheet and first win of the season against a Burnley team who had a rest at the weekend.
Well done also to his team mates Lascelles and Manquillo, Liverpool duo Matip & Robertson, Villa’s Konsa, Man City duo Dias & Cancelo, Wolves trio Coady, Kilmann & Saiss, Southampton duo Bednarek & Livramento, Man Utd’s Maguire, Leeds’ Dallas, Burnley’s Taylor, West Ham’s Zouma, Leicester’s Evans, Tottenham trio Sanchez, Dier & Davies and Brentford’s Henry.
MIDFIELDER: BERNARDO SILVA (Man City)
Quite possibly could be playing some of the best football of his career at present. Three goals in a week and two of them were superb finishes any player would be proud of to help move Man City to the top of the table.
Shout out also to his team mate Rodri, West Ham trio Soucek, Bowen & Masuaku, Liverpool’s Henderson, Newcastle’s Shelvey, Leicester duo Maddison & Barnes, Arsenal’s Oedegaard, Brighton’s Bissouma, Tottenham’s Skipp, Wolves’ Ait-Nouri, Brentford’s Baptiste, also Man Utd duo Fred & Fernandes, Chelsea duo Ziyech & Mount also Everton’s Gray.
FORWARD: HEUNG-MIN SON (Tottenham)
Although at times I put him in the midfielder category, with his teammate Kane vastly invisible, it seems he has assumed the responsibility and at least for this week, is spearheading his team forward.
He was one of only two forwards to bag in both games this week and also contributed in those two games with assists to help maintain his new managers unbeaten start.
Well done also to his teammate Moura, Liverpool trio Salah, Jota & Origi, Man Utd’s Ronaldo, Southampton duo Borja & Adams, Newcastle’s Wilson, Norwich’s Pukki, Watford duo Dennis & Cucho, Man City’s Sterling, Everton’s Richarlison, Brentford’s Canos also Leeds’ duo Roberts & Bamford.
MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP (Liverpool)
You could obviously make a case for the Man City manager, but it was so close between them, splitting the awards was fair.
However, Klopp’s team have been enjoying some scintillating attacking football and it was all on show as they demolished Everton in the derby. They then went to Wolves who put on a thrilling defensive display to reduce Liverpool’s to under two goals for the first time in 19 games.
But Klopp bravely took off his captain to send on Origi and the Belgian won the game in stoppage time.
UNSUNG HERO: NEAL MAUPAY (Brighton)
Obviously not unsung. The other one of two strikers to bag in both games this week. I’m sure it says a lot about his fight, determination and desire that he bagged two very late equalisers to earn a point and save his team from defeats.
He grabbed a lovely 89th minute overhead kick against West Ham at the weekend. Then followed it up with an even later 90+8 minute equaliser to break Southampton’s hearts with a lovely turn and finish.
GAME1: MAN UTD 3-2 ARSENAL
In a very intense game, Arsenal opened the scoring in bizarre fashion following a corner where Fred stepped on De Gea’s foot and as the keeper was down injured, Smith Rowe fired in Elneny’s knock down from the edge of the box (13).
Man Utd crucially got an equaliser just before half time following a good move where Sancho found Fred, who found Fernandes to side foot home (44). In the second half Man Utd went ahead when Rashford galloped down the right and his low cross was swept in by Ronaldo (52).
Arsenal then equalised almost immediately when again down the right, Martinelli found some space for a low cross in an Oedegaard was on hone to sweep home (54). Man Utd won it when Fred ran into the box causing Oedegaard to make a silly foul for a penalty and Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot (70).
GAME2: WEST HAM 3-2 CHELSEA
In the early Saturday game, Mount swung in a right sided corner and T.Silva rose highest to nod down into the net (29).
West Ham then got an equaliser when Mendy tried to make good a poor back pass but under pressure fouled Bowen and Fornals was on hand to score from the spot (40).
Chelsea then went ahead when Loftus-Cheek found Ziyech 0n the left, he then played a cross field ball to Mount in the box, who expertly finished first time, with low side footed volley in at the near post (44).
West Ham equalised in the second half when Bowen moved onto a touch from Soucek on the edge of the box and fired a left footed effort low into the far post (56).
West Ham then won it late in dramatic fashion when Masuaku’s cross come shot on the left deceived Mendy at his near post and swerved in (87).
GOAL1: BERNARDO SILVA (Man City) v Aston Villa
With Sterling down injured, Cash put a cross into the box from the right that went to Cancelo.
He exchanged a one, two with Mahrez on the edge of the box and just when you thought Mahrez was in trouble, he dug out a ball through two defenders to Fernandinho, who played a lovely ball down the right channel for Jesus to run onto.
He then looked up and saw Bernardo running through the middle and chipped a ball in for Bernardo to finish first time, side footed with the left, on the instep into the near top corner. There were also good goals from Liverpool’s Jota and Brighton’s Maupay.
GOAL2: LUCUS MOURA (Tottenham) v Norwich
Moura, about 25 yards from goal, received a pass from Sanchez with his back to goal, quickly popped it around Gilmour.
Now facing goal, played a one, two with Son and as he was closed by two defenders, put this body in the way to shield the ball, then dropped a shoulder to create some space.
He then turned, set himself and from about 20 yards, hit a powerful and unstoppable effort that flew into the top corner. There was also a good goal from Everton’s Gray.
FOOL: ARSENAL FC
There could have been a few candidates for this. However, although it was two away games and two somewhat difficult oppositions, there were so many candidates that could have got this, but it was only right they got it.
From Oedegaard to Aubameyang to Nketiah to Partey to Arteta. After a good run of ten games unbeaten, it is now three defeats in their last four and three straight away defeats.
Both games I felt they played poorly but could still have won if they showed a little more composure and quality and a little less naivety. FOOLS!
