TEAM: LIVERPOOL
Surprisingly enough, this was a tough decision. I usually make my decisions on what is the most unlikely outcome.
However, it’s not often you see a team go two down at half-time and win 4-2. Or a team go down to 10 men in the first half and still score two goals to win the game. But a record-equalling victory (although it’s the fourth time in Premier League history) does not come around often.
Liverpool was relentless and clinical as they destroyed a hapless Bournemouth. What a way to get your first win of the season. Well done also to West Ham. Spurs. Arsenal. Man Utd. Brighton also, Man City and Chelsea, who were both close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID DE GEA (Man Utd)
This was another really tough decision, with several keepers worthy of this award. Unfortunately, although at times conceding is no fault of their own, when it’s tight, I often revert to clean sheets as the deciding factor.
The Man Utd keeper faced the most shots of all the keepers claiming a clean sheet as Southampton tried to equalise but couldn’t beat De Gea.
Shout out also to Southampton’s Bazunu. Fulham’s Leno. Wolves’ Sa. Newcastle’s Pope. Brighton’s Sanchez. Leeds’ Meslier. Chelsea’s Mendy and Forest’s Henderson, who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: REECE JAMES (Chelsea)
As is the theme this week, another tough decision. James has started the season very well, and his defensive qualities were tested as his team went down to 10 men in the first half.
But he was solid to the point you barely noticed they were a man light. Not content with that, he was still a threat going forward, and assisted Chelsea’s second with a wonderful low cross, which turned out to be the winning goal.
Well done also to his teammates Cucurella, Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva. Liverpool duo Alexander-Arnold & Van Dijk. Southampton’s Bella-Kotchap. West Ham trio Zouma, Kehrer & Cresswell. Spurs’ Davies. Forest’s Worrall. Man Utd duo Varane & Martinez. Arsenal’s Gabriel. Palace’s Anderson. Brighton duo Dunk & Webster also Everton’s Tarkowski.
MIDFIELDER: MARTIN ODEGAARD (Arsenal)
This was another player who has started the season really well. He put in a true captain’s performance to drag his team back into the game after going a goal down.
It was his, albeit deflected goal, that got them level. However, it was a reward for his lovely bit of skill and desire to grab the game by the scruff of the neck to make things happen. He continued throughout the game with his pressing and passing and seemed to lift his teammates to go on to claim a late, dramatic winner.
Shout out also to West Ham duo Fornals and Rice. Man Utd’s Fernandes. Brentford’s Janelt. Leicester’s Barnes. Liverpool duo Elliot & Carvalho. Man City duo Bernardo & Gundogan. Spurs’ Perisic, Brighton duo Caicedo, also Gross and Wolves’ Neves. who were both close to winning this.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Man City)
Although there were several really good forward performances, you cannot ignore a second-half hat-trick to drag his team back from a two-goal deficit to win the game 4-2.
All three of his goals showed his varied qualities in front of goal. From being in the right place at the right time, to his awareness in front of goal. His pace, power, and above all, his finishing with both head and feet. It’s a scary prospect for the rest of the league.
Well done also to Fulham’s Mitrovic. Newcastle’s Saint-Maximin. Everton’s Gordon. Also, Liverpool duo Diaz & Firmino. Chelsea’s Sterling and Tottenham’s Kane, who was also close to winning this.
MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP (Liverpool)
I could have taken my pick of managers for this one, and some may feel hard one by. But when you go in the record books for one reason or another, you deserve to claim a weekly award.
Although Bournemouth was the perfect team to bounce back with, Klopp had his team up from the very first minute, and they kept their intensity throughout the game to equal a record biggest win. Shout out also to Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel, who were both close to winning this.
UNSUNG HERO: RAHEEM STERLING (Chelsea)
Given the circumstances, it was the perfect way to announce yourself to your new team. Down to ten men in the first half and up against it after a bad defeat last week.
Sterling got his team a vital three points by scoring two goals and was close to getting a hat-trick if it wasn’t for a really good save by the keeper.
He was impressive all game with his non-stop running on and off the ball that caused a nuisance for Leicester all afternoon. Well done also to Liverpool’s Firmino, who was really close to winning this.
GAME: MAN CITY 4-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace took a shock early lead when Eze swung in a free kick from the right, which came off Stones and in (4). Even more shocking, it was two when Eze swung over a corner from the right, and Anderson powered in a header (21).
In the second half, City came flying back. Bernardo cut across the box from the right, and his left-footed effort deflected in (53). Haaland then equalised when he nodded in Foden’s cross from the left (62). City then went ahead following a neat passage of first-time passing in the box.
Bernardo played a one, two with Alverez, then to Stones, whose low cross-come shot was tapped in at the far post by Haaland (70). The win was secured when Gundogan fired a ball into Haaland, running into the box to control the ball, fend off two Palace defenders and quickly sweep the ball past Guaita (81).
GOAL: ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN (Newcastle) v Wolves
As time was running out for Newcastle, a long searching ball was played down the right flank. Murphy tried to dink the ball into the box, which was intercepted by Hwang, who, just inside the box by the right touchline, tried to take the ball on his chest, swivel and volley back upfield.
But he got the clearance all wrong, and as the ball dropped just outside the box, Saint-Maximin approached and hit a lovely, sweet, first-time volley, that saw the ball nestle into the right bottom corner.
FOOL: BOURNEMOUTH FC
When they earned promotion to the Premier League, everyone connected to Bournemouth knew there would be tough times, but I am sure nobody expected or anticipated this.
They were totally outplayed, outfought, outmuscled over and outrun literally from the first whistle to the last. Although they were and will always be a gap in quality, they cannot excuse the poor defending and capitulation.
If they continue in that vein, there will be more hammerings this season. FOOLS!
