TEAM: WOLVES
This was a bit of a tough one considering the extra midweek games but regardless, I don’t think anyone expected Wolves’ away victory at Man Utd.
Tactically I have been very impressed with Wolves, although they don’t score many, they certainly don’t concede many, are well drilled and really limit their opponents to chances.
This was all evident at Old Trafford but crucially, when they got their chance, it was put away to win the game. Well done also to West Ham, Brighton, Brentford, Man City, Leeds, Southampton and Tottenham.
GOALKEEPER: DANIEL BACHMANN (Watford)
Although it was in a losing effort, it wasn’t for the want of trying as he kept Spurs at bay for the whole game.
He was being bombarded all game from the Spurs attack and he was equal to everything until stoppage time when Spurs got a breakthrough. It was harsh on him as he deserved the man of the match award.
Shout out also to Wolves’ Sa, Man Utd’s De Gea and Chelsea’s Mendy and Liverpool’s Kelleher.
DEFENDER: CONOR COADY (Wolves)
This was quite a close run thing but I gave it to the Wolves captain who, playing against world class players like Ronaldo and Cavani, not only did he lead by example to stand firm and keep them at bay.
He was constantly directing his team mates and encouraging to help his team to a valuable away win.
Well done also to his teammates Saiss and Kilman, Brighton’s Burn, Brentford’s Roerslev, West Ham’s Coufal, Leeds’ Ayling and Koch, Southampton’s Bednarek & Tella, also Arsenal duo White and Tierney.
MIDFIELDER: MANUEL LANZINI (West Ham)
This was another category with a several possibilities, however, the West Ham man, with the benefit of two games really excelled.
To be fair, it was a toss-up between him and his teammate, but he has been playing in that conventional midfield position, coming from deep, dictating play and getting forward to get goals his first against Palace was a scorcher not to mention taking responsivity as the penalty taker.
Has now become one of West Ham’s go to players. Shout out also to his teammates Bowen and Rice, Southampton’s Ward-Prowse, Brentford’s Janelt, Everton’s Gordon, Leeds duo Dallas & Harrison, Chelsea’s Kovacic, Arsenal’s Saka & Man City’s Rodri.
FORWARD: ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER (Brighton)
There were a whole host of candidates for this one but his two goals at Everton to get his team their second win in three games but only their third in 16, was invaluable for momentum.
His slick ball control, movement and eye for a goal allowed him to bag two, the second a thumping strike to win a game.
Well done also to Southampton duo Broja & Adams, Liverpool duo Mane & Salah, Brentford’s Wissa, Villa’s Ings, Burnley’s Cornet, Chelsea’s Pulisic, Man City’s’ Mahrez, West Ham’s Antonio also Palace duo Eduoard & Olise.
MANAGER: BRUNO LAGE (Wolves)
As I said previously, I have been really impressed at his tactical awareness and how he has been setting up his team.
Fair enough they are not scoring much goals but if you know anything about football, your first port of call is to be hard to beat and he certainly done than but making them defensively strong.
Once you do this, he knows he has a few players in attack that can get a goal, which is exactly what happened at Man Utd.
UNSUNG HERO: JARROD BOWEN (West Ham)
Not sure how I can do this but I certainly am. He has really come on leaps on bounds in the last few months to the point where some top clubs are looking at him.
You still don’t know what his best position is but currently playing in that false nine position, he is really excelling, which is showing his football intelligence not to mention his eye for goal and finishing.
GAME: CHELSEA 2-2 LIVERPOOL
In an intense and thrilling game, Liverpool took the lead early when a cross came in from the right that wasn’t dealt with by Chalobah.
He stooped low to header but got it all wrong. Mane anticipated this and collected the ball before rounding the keeper to sweep home (9). Liverpool then went two up when Alexander-Arnold played a ball in the inside right channel for Salah to run onto, control beat Alonso and then Mendy from an acute angle (26).
Chelsea then got a goal back with a superb strike as a freak kick came in from the right, Kelleher punched away, only for Kovacic the volley, first time back not the top corner (42). Minutes later, Chelsea were level when Rudiger won the ball just inside Chelsea’s half.
Kante turned and played another ball forward for Pulisic to run onto, control with his chest and finished with his left into the far corner (45+1)
GOAL: MATEO KOVACIC (Chelsea) v Liverpool
This begun from a free kick on the right, just outside the box that was swung in towards the goal. Kelleher did very well to get the near post to punch away to outside the box.
However, as the ball dropped, Kovacic quickly moved his feet, back peddled a few yards and connected with a sweet volley with two feet off the ball from about 20 yards out, that lobbed back with pace, into the top right-hand corner in off the post.
FOOL: GABRIEL (Arsenal)
I was flabbergasted at his sending off. Defenders get yellow cards all the time, that’s natural.
However, after getting a yellow card, in a game at home to Man City where your team are not only holding their own but doing well.
As a defender, to be in the centre circle, a mere two minutes after you got a yellow, to take out a player for a blatant second yellow and easy red was inexcusable and can’t really be justified. FOOL!
