TEAM: BURNLEY
Very interesting permutations for this. If it was a one game week Spurs would have taken this.
However, Liverpool was easily the best team but in term of permeances and what was expected and unlikely, the Lancashire men takes it. Nobody was expecting them to go to Brighton and turn them over comfortably 3-0.
But to top that and beat Spurs, who were on a real high after beating Man City, made it a superb week for them. Well done as stated to Liverpool, also Arsenal, Southampton and Man Utd.
GOALKEEPER: JOSE SA (Wolves)
It’s always difficult in a week where a team plays more than one game to choose an outstanding player.
It’s even more difficult when nobody really stands out. This was a really hard one to choose and it had to go down to a number of things, however, stats wise, in the two games he played his shots to saves ratio was the best so almost by default the Wolves man takes it.
Shout out also to Brentford’s Raya, Everton’s Pickford, Norwich’s Gunn, Burnley’s Pope, Villa’s Martinez and
DEFENDER: BEN MEE (Burnley)
The Burnley captain reminded everyone of his credentials this week in case anyone forgot. He led his team to two very good and surprising wins.
At the weekend they limited Brighton to just one shot on goal as they brushed them aside. Then he played a blinder defensively against a Spurs team fresh from beating Man City and topped it off by scoring the winner.
Well done also to his teammates Tarkowski, Peters, Roberts & Collins, Spurs Dier, Southampton trio Salisu, Livramento & Walker-Peters, Liverpool’s Tsmikas, Robertson, Matip & Van Dijk, Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, Wolves’ Coady, Man Utd’s Maguire, Watford’s Cathcart, West Ham’s Dawson, Newcastle duo Burn and Schar.
MIDFIELDER: THIAGO (Liverpool)
A fit and comfortable Thiago is really a force to be reckoned with. Very rarely do you see a player affect a game so much without scoring or providing an assist but trailing to Norwich at home.
He came on and almost instantly changed the game with his constant forward, progressive passing. Seemed to find time and space in abundance. This was even more evident against Leeds as they just couldn’t get near him.
Shout out also to his teammate Henderson & Fabinho, Arsenal trio Saka, Smith Rowe & Odegaard, Spurs Kulusevski, Man City’s Gundogan, Southampton’s Ward-Prowse, Burnley duo Brownhill & Lennon, Watford’s Sissoko, Newcastle’s Willock, Wolves’ Neves, Man Utd trio Sancho, Fernandes & Fred also Palace’s Gallagher.
FORWARD: MO SALAH (Liverpool)
Quite frankly, it’s crazy the type of numbers he is putting up now consistently over a number of seasons. Not only that but his level of performance is still of the highest quality.
leading the league in goals, assists, goal involvements and shots. Scored a superb goal against Norwich, then showed composure to net two pens against Leeds but also weighed in with a superb assist for Matip and was a menace throughout both games.
Well done also to his teammates Diaz and Mane, Tottenham duo Kane & Son, Southampton’s Armstrong & Long, Chelsea’ Ziyach, Burnley’s Weghorst, Watford’s Dennis, Wolves’ duo Podence & Hwang, Leicester’s Lookman, Arsenal’s Pepe, Leads’ Rodrigo also Palace duo Zaha & Mateta.
MANAGER: SEAN DYCHE (Burnley)
This was a close one but after languishing in, around and near the relegation zone, his team really came up with a big week, with two big wins.
Nobody expected them to ease past high flying Brighton with such ease, but they did it with a strong defensive display and clinical finishing.
Then they went one better by beating Man City conquering Spurs limited them to just two shots on goal and was good for their 1-0 win. Shout out also to Liverpool’s Klopp.
UNSUNG HERO: WOUT WEGHORST (Burnley)
He has only played five games for Burnley but has settled in like he has been there since last season.
Although he has just scored one goal, he’s got two assists and his contributions off the ball has already been valuable. Also, for such a big fella, he has shown great feet, demonstrated good hold up play and seems to already have a good understanding with his teammates.
Lastly, his tracking back and defensive work for his team has also been a plus.
GAME: MAN CITY 2-3 TOTTENHAM
Spurs took an early lead when Davies played the ball into Kane who, with his back to goal played a brilliant first time pass for Son to gallop down the right flank, through on goal.
As the keeper came to the edge of the box, Son squared it for Kulusevski to side foot home, through Canelo’s legs from just inside the box (4). Gundogan then hit the post before Man City equalised when Sterling’s ball in came off Lloris and Gundogan was on hand to sweep home (33).
In the second half, Spurs went ahead when Kane played a ball out from the right flank towards Son, Dias messed up the header, Sessegnon picked up the loose ball and played to Son, he crossed into the box for Kane, who continued his run and finished, first time, into the top corner (59).
Kane then had a goal disallowed before Man City finally got an equaliser when Romero handled B.Silva’s cross and after a VAR check, Mahrez made no mistake from the spot (90+2).
But there was drama still, with seconds to go Bentancur played Kulusevki in on the right, he checked back on to his left and put a cross in for Kane to beat Walker in the air and power a header in for a dramatic winner (90+5).
GOAL: LUIZ DIAZ (Liverpool) v Norwich
This is not so much for the finish, although the final pass and finish was exquisite. It was more for the whole move, where all 11 players touched the ball at some point in a build-up.
Liverpool held the ball for over two minutes, passing and probing. The ball eventually fell to Henderson who looked up, spotted the run of Diaz.
He then played a perfect, slide rule pass that split the defence for Diaz. who was running from the right to take the ball on his right foot and neatly dink it over the keeper with his left to seal the game.
FOOL: MARCELO BIELSA (Leeds Utd)
I do have some sympathy as they are entertaining, play good football and have had a wretched time with injuries.
However, at some point you have to realise where you are going wrong and fix things. It’s glaringly obvious Leeds are way too open and play suicide football. I know they want to play football but if it’s now threatening your Premier League status, for a time at least adopt a more defensive style.
This week they conceded 10 goals in the two games against Man Utd and Liverpool. If they continue the way they are, it will be the Championship for them and Bielsa will only have himself to blame. FOOL!
