TEAM: EVERTON
After the huge disappointment against Brentford where they went a goal up, but then a man down in the first half. Went ahead again but lost the game late on.
This then put huge pressure going into the Palace game, where they went two goals down at halftime. However, they showed monumental heart, desire and determination to come back in the second half to win it 3-2 to secure league safety with a game to spare.
It couldn’t really be anyone else to win this award this week. They will just hope for a much better next season. Well done also to Leicester, Liverpool, Brentford and Newcastle.
GOALKEEPER: NICK POPE (Burnley)
With his team in a dire situation and desperate for wins, or at least not to lose. Then narrowly lost to Spurs, which was no fault of him who had a very good game.
With their situation looking even more dire, he then had an even better game at Villa, making several saves to help get a vital point and put themselves within a chance at safety on the final day of the season.
Shout out also to Leicester duo Ward & Schmeichel. Brighton’s Sanchez and West Ham’s Fabianski who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: JOEL MATIP (Liverpool)
Last week he scored a vital goal to get his team back level at Villa, which allowed them to go on and win the game.
He then came on in extra time for Van Dijk in the Fa Cup final and help steer his team to a penalty win. Three days later, he scored an even more vital goal to win the game at Southampton to make the title race go into the last day, all while being cool, calm and collective in defence.
ell done also to his teammate Konate. Brentford’s Henry. Everton duo Keane & Holgate. Wolves’ Toti. Leicester duo Fofana & Evans. Burnley’s Collins. Newcastle duo Kraft & Schar and Chelsea’s Silva.
MIDFIELDER: JARROD BOWEN (West Ham)
Admittedly, there were a few other midfield performances that could have been here. But Bowen’s performance and two goals against Man City, along with his consistent form must be playing him into the England team.
He has been superb and was again against City with his constant running off the ball where he was a menace all game and again showed his finishing abilities.
Shout out also to his teammate Rice. Brentford’s Eriksen. Wolves’ Ait-Nouri. Man City’s Rodri. Leicester trio Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison & Barnes. Leeds’ Struijk, Brighton’s Bissouma. Villa’s Buendia. Palace’s duo Schlupp & Eze. Tottenham’s Sessegnon. Newcastle duo Guimaraes & Joelinton. Southampton’s Redmond. Liverpool’s Milner also Chelsea duo James & Alonso.
FORWARD: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN (Everton)
He has really been missed due to his injury issues but made a timely comeback this week. Scored against Brentford before the red cards contributed to them losing at home.
Then after being two down against Palace. Was involved in Richarlison’s equaliser when his team needed a hero, he popped up with an 85th-minute winner to steer his team to Premier League safety.
Well done also to his teammate Richarlison. Norwich’s Pukki. Man City’s Grealish. Brighton’s Welbeck. Leeds’ Gelhardt. Liverpool duo Minamino & Firmino. Brentford’s Wissa. Villa’s Watkins. Palace’s duo Mateta & Ayew. Watford’s Pedro. Tottenham’s Kane. and Burnley’s Barnes.
MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP (Liverpool)
Although he’s not exactly done it on a shoestring budget. It’s crazy to think he’s built a team that has gone toe to toe on several occasions with Man City’s astronomical squad and pushed them all the way.
With two trophies already in the bag and only three days after playing 120 minutes at Wembley. He shuffled his back for another very important game, where only a win will do. After making nine changes and going a goal down which looked harsh, his team came back to win 2-1 and take this title race to the final game.
Shout out also to Frank Lampard and Brendan Rodgers.
UNSUNG HERO: RICHARLISON (Everton)
To be fair it was touch and go for him and his teammate for the forward award but his teammate got it for scoring the winner.
However, while his teammate has been out injured, he has been plugging away, week in and week out, and has shown his passion, desire and fight. Nobody can say a bad word about his commitment to the cause and he was again a focal point playing a part in the first goal against Brentford and then scoring the penalty.
He then netted a vital equaliser against Palace and was a bundle of energy and commitment all game.
GAME: WEST HAM 2-2 MAN CITY
After a lively start, West Ham took a shock lead when Fornals’ hooked pass from just inside his half played in Bowen, who beat the offside trap, touched it past Ederson and from an acute angle, lifted it over Laporte desperately sliding back in (24).
It was two on the stroke of halftime when Antonio lobbed in over for Bowen, who again sprung the offside trap and his shot from the edge of the box went through Fernandinho’s legs and in the bottom far corner (45).
City came out with a purpose in the second half and got an early goal back. Zinchenko’s ball in the box was headed back by Rodri for Grealish on the edge of the box, who lashed in a bouncing effort with the aid of a defection (49).
It was level when Mahrez’s cross from the left was nodded in past his own goal by Coufal (69). City then had a great chance to win it when Dawson fouled Jesus in the box. Mahrez took the penalty but Fabrianki pulled off a wonderful save (86).
There was also a great game at Goodison where Everton came from two goals down at halftime to beat Crystal Palace 3-2.
GOAL: NATHAN REDMOND (Southampton) v Liverpool
The move started when a ball was played into Jota just outside the Southampton box. Jota seemed to get fouled by Lyanco but he didn’t stop to wait for the ref and played on.
He then played a ball square to Tella who then played it onto Redmond on the left just inside the Liverpool half.
He then ran at Gomez down the left, just as he got to the edge of the box he cut inside onto his right foot, and sized up with Milner who came to help, he unleashed a powerful, curling effort from the edge of the box that took a touch off Milner and sailed into the far top corner.
FOOL: RIYAD MAHREZ (Man City)
There were a few candidates for this. Watford, Arsenal and Burnley’s Lowton, However, although it may not make a difference in the end.
The Man City winger had a great chance to more or less seal the title, with a penalty just five minutes from time at West Ham, after going two goals down in the first half.
But not for the first time, he didn’t convert his spot kick and the game ended in a draw, leaving it open for a possible nervy final day of the season which really could have been avoided had he just scored. FOOL!
