TEAM: NORWICH
There were a few very decent performances this week, however, none were more unexpected than Norwich’s surprise away win at Watford.
It was billed as a tight relegation six pointer, and for 50 minutes it was far from that as Norwich were hanging on, but they held strong defensively, grew in confidence then when they started to play, Watford couldn’t live with them.
After Norwich scored the first goal, there was only going to be won winner and they made it look comfortable from then on. Well done also to Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Wolves and Man Utd.
GOALKEEPER: ALISSON (Liverpool)
He gave a timely reminder of his credentials and how important a top-class manager is to a top-class team. Throughout the game Palace were bright and full of energy but struggled to find a way past the Brazilian keeper, who made some important saves.
This allowed his team to get into their stride and go on to claim another away win in a game they could have been chasing or lost points if it wasn’t for him.
Shout out also to Brighton’s Sanchez, Newcastle’s Dubravka, Norwich’s Gunn and Burnley’s Pope who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: MOHAMMED SALISU (Southampton)
To be fair it was touch and go between him and his teammate but although his teammate scored the opening goal, it was his defending that almost got his team a winner, but most certainly helped earn a good point.
He was a rock at the back and seemed to be in front of everything with tackles, headers, clearances and interceptions. In the end it was only a set piece that got City back into the game.
Well done also to his teammate Walker-Peters, Burnley foursome Mee, Tarkowski, Roberts and Pieters, Liverpool’s Van Dijk, Man City’s Laporte, Chelsea’s Silva, Norwich foursome Aarons, Hanley, Gibson and Williams, Man Utd’s Varane, Newcastle duo Trippier & Schar also Aston Villa’s Cash.
MIDFIELDER: JOSH SARGENT (Norwich)
This was a pretty easy one. Norwich’s American midfielder scored his first two goals for the club at a vital time in an impressive and confidence building away win against their relegation rivals.
His first was an audacious flick, on the run from behind his back which he will never forget. His second was a more conventional but equally important precious header in a game where his individual brilliance stood out.
Shout out also to Southampton’s Ward-Prowse, Man Utd’ Fred, West Ham’s Rice, Newcastle’s Shelvey, Wolves trio Neves, Moutinho & Semedo, Villa’s Buendia and Liverpool’s Fabinho.
FORWARD: HAKIM ZIYECH (Chelsea)
This was an extremely hard one, mainly because very few forwards excelled this week. So, at a stretch it went to the Chelsea man who in arguably the biggest game of the day terrorised the Spurs defenders all afternoon.
Scored a superb goal, almost got a second and was easily Chelsea’s main man with his forward play, runs, crosses and generally causing trouble all game. It was much like the Ziyach of old.
Well done also to Brighton’s Welbeck, Leicester’s Daka, Man Utd duo Cavani & Rashford Watford’s Kucka, Palace’s Edouard, Liverpool’s Oxlade-Chamberlain and Brentford’s Toney.
MANAGER: DEAN SMITH (Norwich)
Although Smith had done brilliantly for Villa in the three years he was there, I was still unsure about his appointment at Norwich.
However, though it can still go wrong, thus far, he is doing a decent job in the two short months he has been there, culminating in this important win at Watford.
The team seems to be playing with confidence and freedom and more importantly, getting clean sheets.
UNSUNG HERO: THIAGO SILVA (Chelsea)
I just can’t help but to admire him. Makes the game look so easy with his intelligence, anticipation and pure knowledge of the game. Gave the likes of especially Kane, as well as Bergwijn no joy all game.
Then, as he’s done on more than a few times in his career, showed the forwards how it’s done by rising high to expertly head home the second and seal the game.
GAME: CRYSTAL PALACE 1-3 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool opened the scoring very early in the game when he powered in Robertson’s corner from the left (8).
Liverpool then went two up following a superb move that started on right by the touchline with some superb interplay from Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain and then Jota.
The ball eventually found its way to Robertson on the left and his ball in found Oxlade-Chamberlain at the right post who chested down and lashed in with his left (32).
Palace got a lifeline in the second half when Schlupp split the defence with a ball to Mateta and he squared for Edouard to tap into an empty net (55).
It was a tense and end to end game until the last few minutes when Guita was adjudged by VAR have fouled Jota in the box and Fabinho sealed the win from the spot (88).
GOAL: JOSH SARGENT (Norwich) 1st vs Watford
A ball was thread through the middle for McLean who had Pukki running to the side of him, but his ball pushed Pukki wide and he went running to the touchline with a Watford defender.
The defender then went tumbling but Pukki didn’t wait for a whistle, he quickly controlled the ball, turned and put a cross in.
As Sargent was running in on goal, the cross was slightly behind him, but he somehow seemed to angle his foot behind him. Making perfect connection with the ball to flick, with power towards goal and in off the underside of the bar.
FOOL: WATFORD FC
We all know their methods, but it’s not necessary a good one. However, it has worked for them in the past.
That said, they sacked Munoz to bring in Ranieri who only lasted a mere three months, after this terrible home defeat which made it 11 defeats in his 14 games.
Watford were all over Norwich in the first half but couldn’t hit the back of the net that naturally gave Norwich confidence who after scoring the first on the 51st minute, went on to claim a comfortable away win.
What made it worse for Watford was their main man Dennis got a red card suspending him for the next game and Watford now has hired Hodgson. FOOLS
