TEAM: MANCHESTER CITY
Just when you thought they were affected by their European disappointments, they responded with two absolute dominant wins, scoring ten and conceding one.
If anyone had any hope of them being vulnerable, they closed that door as quickly as it opened with two thrilling performances, playing scintillating football and being clinical in front of goal.
Well done also to Brighton, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton and Crystal Palace.
GOALKEEPER: JORDAN PICKFORD (Everton)
Just when his team needed him at a pivotal point in the season, he has really stepped up. Last week he made heroic saves to help his team to a vital win.
This week they played two away games and came away with four points, conceding only one goal and at Leicester, he was again in fine, inspiring form to rally his team to Premier League survival.
Shout out also to Brighton’s Sanchez, Brentford’s Raya, Palace’s Guaita, Watford’s Foster, Man City’s Ederson and Villa’s Martinez.
DEFENDER: MARC CUCURELLA (Brighton)
Playing in a slightly unfamiliar left of a back three, he really put United to the sword. Although he was in the back three, he still gave energy up and down the left flank all game and was equally strong and solid in defence as he was threatening going forward.
He didn’t give the United players a sniff and to top it off, wandered forward and got an important and superb second goal to help his team to a memorable victory.
Well done also to his teammates Dunk and Veltman. Spurs duo Romero & Davies. Man City Cancelo & Laporte. Brentford duo Jansson & Ajer. Everton trio Holgate, Mykoleno & Iwobi. Liverpool’s Matip. Watford’s Samir. Leeds’ Llorente and Palace’s Anderson.
MIDFIELDER: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Man City)
This was obviously an easy decision. Naturally, for the four goals he scored against Wolves, it was a thrilling display of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and turning on the quality.
But even in the five goal demolition of Newcastle a few days early, he didn’t score but he was extremely influential with one assist and playing a part in two other goals. He is at the absolute top of his game and is the best player in arguably one of the best teams there ever was.
Shout out also to his teammate Rodri. Brighton trio Caicedo, Trossard & Gross. West Ham duo Benrahma & Bowen. Villa duo Burendia & Luiz. Spurs duo Hojbjerg & Bentancur. Brentford’s Eriksen. Chelsea duo Mount & James. Wolves duo Dendoncker & Chiquinho also Leicester’s Maddison.
FORWARD: ROMALU LUKAKU (Chelsea)
This was a really tough decision but after a bit of deliberation, I went for the Chelsea man who scored his first goals of the year, it showed what a bit of confidence can do.
After scoring the penalty, he quickly followed that up with a superb second with his right foot, although they were pegged back late on. He then got his goal against Leeds after several tries.
But with the constant issues and controversy surrounding him in the past few months, I thought he has shown a lot of determination and desire to come back scoring, just the right time before the cup final.
Well done also to His teammate Pulisic. Tottenham duo Son & Kane. Arsenal’s Nketiah. Leicester’s Vardy. Liverpool duo Diaz & Mane. Villa duo Ings & Watkins. Brentford’s Wissa. West Ham’s Antonio. Wolves’ Trincao. Leicester’s Daka. Palace duo Zaha & Olise. Brighton’s Welbeck and Man City’s duo Foden also Sterling who was very close to winning this.
MANAGER: PEP GUARDIOLA (Man City)
Although he has a star studded squad, you still have to set them up to succeed. After their European dreams were crushed, a few were thinking they could have a hangover.
But he made sure that wasn’t the case as even though there is talk about no real striker, his team still managed to score ten goals in the space of three days to firmly slam the door closed on any slip ups or upsets in the league and they did it playing superb football.
Shout out also to Brighton’s Potter. Tottenham’s Conte and Everton’s Lampard.
UNSUNG HERO: VITALI MYKOLENKO (Everton)
I must say, I have been really surprised at his inclusion and form in recent weeks.
Not only because of the issues with his home country being at war, but quite frankly, I didn’t really think he had enough quality to be a regular first team player.
But to my surprise, not only is he showing he is a reliable first team player. he is doing it in the most pressured times both for his club and country.
GAME: CHELSEA 2-2 WOLVES
Chelsea started very early and scored, but Werner’s goal was disallowed for a foul. They then had a second goal disallowed when Loftus-Cheek was ruled offside.
In the second half, they then opened the scoring when Lukaku was fouled just inside the box and he stepped up to stroke the penalty home (56). He then quickly got a second when he was fed by Pulisic and fired in a superb effort with his right foot from just outside the box (58).
Wolves then pulled a goal back when Trincao cut inside and lashed in a fine effort (79). The comeback was complete, literally with the last kick of the game when Chiquinho crossed a ball in from the right and Coady was the more determined, in between two Chelsea players to head home the equaliser (90+7).
GOAL: TRINCAO (Wovles) v Chelsea
Trailing by two goals and needed something in the game. Caody won the ball deep in the Wolves’ half which was picked up by Chinquinho.
He then drove forward and played the ball to Trincao running down the right. He then ran at Rudiger, as he got to just outside the box, cut inside onto his left foot and curled a lovely effort into the far corner, leaving the keeper stranded.
There were also good goals from Everton’s Mykolenko, Chelsea’s Mount and Man City’s De Bruyne.
FOOL: ROB HOLDING (Arsenal)
Man Utd can count themselves lucky as before the last game of the week, they were going to be here, especially as their 4-0 capitulation confirmed the lowest points tally in their Premier League history.
However, in the most important North London derby for probably a decade. With Champions League qualification on the line, already on a yellow card and warned. Holding lost his head, got rattled and viciously elbowed Son, it could have been a straight red, let alone a second yellow.
But as an experienced player, it was an unforgivable thing to do, costing his team the game and is suspended for their away game, which looks even worse now they have injuries. Although it’s a 38 game season, If Arsenal do not make it to the Champions League, this decision could well be the deciding factor. FOOL!
