TEAM: BURNLEY
This was a very tough decision this week, as on another day, several other performances would warrant this award.
However, taking into consideration where we are in the season, factor in European games and who has what to play for, then you add in the pressure, I just swayed it to Burnley, who came from behind in a real six pointer at Watford to get a vital three points to just stay above the relegation zone, making it three wins on the bounce.
Well done also to Man City, Everton, West Ham, Liverpool, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Man Utd, Tottenham and Aston Villa.
GOALKEEPER: JORDAN PICKFORD (Everton)
If the team award was a tough one, this was a pretty easy one. Although there were some good keeper performances, none was as good or as significant as the Everton and England’s no1’s, who performed out of his skin.
He was literally flying from one post to the other to make heroic saves and earn his team a clean sheet and three vital points in their survival quest. Shout out also to Newcastle’s Dubravka, Man Utd’s De Gea, West Ham’s Fabianski and Burnley’s Pope.
DEFENDER: ROB HOLDING (Arsenal)
At vital times in the season, big performances make all the difference for a team’s fortunes. Although West Ham have all their chips in Europe, this felt like a massive win for Arsenal, which was spearheaded by the centre back who opened the scoring with a header.
He then went back to his defensive duties and stayed strong, focused and solid to help his team to a very important away win.
Well done also to his teammate Gabriel. Man City duo Laporte and Ake. Brighton’s Dunk & Veltman. Burnley duo Taylor & Roberts. Palace’s Clyne. Villa’s Digne. Liverpool’s Gomez, Spurs’ Romero. Everton duo Mina & Mykolenko also Man Utd’s Varane.
MIDFIELDER: PHIL FODEN (Man City)
It was another slick, mature and impressive performances from the young Englishman who is becoming City’s secondary go to guy, after De Bruyne.
Created the first goal with a lovely ball in the box, then cut through Leeds to create the third and was a joy to watch with his neat and tidy touches and slick passes in midfield.
Shout out also to his teammates Rodri and Fernandinho. Brighton trio Trossard, Bissouma and Mac Allister. Southampton’s Romeu. Villa’s McGinn. Liverpool duo Milner & Keita. West Ham’s Bowen. Everton’s Iwobi & Doucoure. Man Utd duo Mata & Matic also Burnley duo Cork and Brownhill who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: HEUNG-MIN SON (Tottenham)
After a short barren spell, he is back doing what he does best. Spurs really needed it as they have lost a little ground in the quest for a Champions League place.
But his tireless running on and off the ball, vision and finishing was the difference, with his two very well taken goals and an assist, to get his team back on track.
Well done also to Man City’s Jesus, Everton’s Richarlison. Tottenham’s Kane. Watford’s Kucka. Palace duo Eze & Zaha. Leicester’s Iheanacho. Man Utd’s Ronaldo and Aston Villa duo Watkins and Ings.
MANAGER: FRANK LAMPARD (Everton)
I have given him a lot of stick lately, but his team pulled out a gritty, inspiring and unexpected win against Chelsea to give themselves a real chance at survival.
He has tweaked a few things in their play, to name one, less playing at the back and moving the ball forward quicker.
But he has shown faith in guys like Iwobi, Mykolenko and Gordon and was buoyed by Mina’s return to action and Pickford’s heroics to get a much-needed win. Shout out also to Burnley’s Jackson. Brighton’s Potter and Arsenal’s Arteta.
UNSUNG HERO: JAMES MILNER (Liverpool)
I am not sure how he does it but at the ripe old age of 36, he is able to go away, in a pressured situation and perform to very high levels, to help his team maintain their winning ways.
It was his typically committed tackle that won the ball in midfield, allowing Keita to go on and score what turned out to be the winner for a vital 1-0 victory.
He has been a superb servant for Liverpool, playing in a number of positions and even at this stage, he still can be relied upon to perform and contribute to their success.
GAME: WATFORD 1-2 BURNLEY
In a real six pointer with serious relegation ramifications, Watford took the lead when Kiko’s cross into the box was flicked on and found Kucka at the far post. He controlled and fierce hot came back off the bar and bounce in off Tarkowski (8).
Burnley then had several chances in the game, included what they thought was a penalty turned down by var as it was outside the box and one saved off the line, before equalising late. It was good work down the left by Taylor who ran down the line and but in a wonderful ball for Cork to come flying in with a diving header (83).
Just a few minutes later they won it. Following a free kick that Watford failed to clear, the ball dropped inside the box for Vydra, who laid it back for Brownhill to coolly side foot home from the edge of the box, past three players (86).
GOAL: HEUNG-MIN SON (Tottenham) v Leicester City
With Spurs comfortable with a two goal the points were sealed when Emerson Royal played Kulusevski in down the right, he turned back and fed Son, lurking just outside the box to the right.
He controlled, took a touch inside with his right foot, then unleashed an unstoppable curling effort with his left foot that flew into the far top corner, giving the keeper no chance.
FOOL: WATFORD FC
As usual a few candidates for this Leeds, Azpilicueta and Wolves. But can’t ignore Watford losing their Premier League status, especially in a game where they were playing their relegation rivals, at home and were one up.
To make matters worse, after battling for the whole game, they lost it and their league status in the last ten minutes, conceding two goals just three minutes apart to break the hearts of the home fans. FOOLS!
