TEAM: MANCHESTER CITY
This team are looking unstoppable at the moment, especially at home, where they have already scored 20 goals in just four games.
Their Manchester rivals were the latest team taken to the sword after a scintillating first half where they were 4-0 up. Although United won the second half 3-2, every time they thought they were getting back into it, City would just step it up and score to shut them down again.
The scary thing is, the scoreline of 6-3 actually flattered United. Well done also to Arsenal. Newcastle Everton. Chelsea. West Ham and Leicester who was close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: ILLAN MESLIER (Leeds Utd)
Going down to 10 men just minutes into the second half. It was inevitable he would be busy. It’s not that he was ultra-busy.
However, he had to be called upon several times to help his team out, and to Villa’s frustrations, he was equal to everything they threw at him to claim a valuable point for his team.
Shout out also to Bournemouth’s Neto. West Ham’s Fabianski and Everton’s Pickford.
DEFENDER: WILLIAM SALIBA (Arsenal)
In his first North London derby, in games that are usually fast, frenetic and feisty, he was full of calm and confidence.
In a performance that belies his tender age, he is fast becoming a bona fide fan favourite, as he reduced the normally rampant forward line of Kane, Son and Richarlison to scraps.
Well done also to his teammate White. Leeds’ Cooper. Brentford’s Mee. Palace’s Guehi. Everton’s Coady, also Bournemouth duo Senesi & Mepham, who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: LEANDRO TROSSARD (Brighton)
Although there were a plethora of midfield candidates, I had to give it to the Belgian for becoming only the fourth player to score an away hat-trick at Anfield and probably the most unlikely.
Showed superb movement and an eye for goal to put his team two up, he was unlucky his goals didn’t win the game but his third, another good finish, stole a deserved point.
Shout out also to Arsenal’s Partey, Xhaka, Saka & Martinelli. Man City trio De Bruyne, Gundogan & Bernardo. Chelsea’s Gallagher. Newcastle duo Longstaff & Willock. Southampton’s Aribo. Fulham’s Reed. Man Utd’s Anthony. Everton’s McNeil and Leicester duo Barnes and Maddison.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Manchester City)
What can you say that hasn’t already been said? He is obliterating all the scoring records and playing like he is on course to rewrite them throughout the season.
A third hat-trick in a row is unbelievable, and he looking unstoppable at present, simply a scoring machine.
Well done also to his teammate Foden. Man Utd’s Martial. Arsenal’s Jesus. Palace’s Edouard. Chelsea’s Aubameyang. West Ham duo Scamacca & Bowen also Leicester’s Daka.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
His team are the league leaders and playing full of confidence. So far, it’s been a miraculous turnaround from last year when they promised a lot but just couldn’t deliver.
Now they really look like a team that can challenge for honours, with the new signings performing, young stars maturing and a depth of quality in the squad.
They seem back to the old Arsenal days, dominating teams and the North London derby, where Spurs were second best in all departments.
UNSUNG HERO: PHIL FODEN (Manchester City)
He is obviously not unsung scoring his first hat-trick, but in a way, he is. At just 22, he is the youngest player under Guardiola to score 50 goals, quicker than Messi.
Not only that, but in a team brimming with stars over the years. It is a testament to his abilities that he has managed to break through, and become a regular.
Especially in and around players and a team that has cost so much money. Scoring his first hat-trick with some superb finishes, is just the tip of the iceberg.
GAME: LIVERPOOL 3-3 BRIGHTON
Brighton took a shock early lead from Alexander-Arnold’s poor head and Henderson failing to clear. Gross played it into Welbeck on the edge of the box, he back-heeled to Trossard, who wrong-footed Alexander-Arnold and slotted into the bottom far corner (4).
Even more shocking, it was two when Welbeck won possession and was played in down the left. He played it across the box to March, who played a lovely first-time pass into Trossard, who let the ball run across his body and slotted into the far corner (17).
Liverpool pulled a goal back when Henderson looped a ball over for Salah to run onto in the box, with the keeper coming out, he touched it to the right for Firmino to run onto and dink a ball over two sliding defenders (33).
Liverpool equalised in the second half when just outside his own box, Henderson played a ball to Diaz. He then carried the ball to the edge of the Brighton box, and squared for Firmino to take a touch inside the defender with his right, and then finish in the near post with his left (53).
Liverpool then went ahead when Alexander-Arnold swung over a corner, which was missed by the diving Sanchez, hit Webster and in (63).
But Brighton equalised late when March played Mitoma in down the left, his cross was missed by all and went through to Trossard at the far post to finish, first time, off Alisson’s hand and the underside of the bar (83).
GOAL: MIGUEL ALMIRON (Newcastle) v Fulham
After some neat play between Trippier, Guimaraes and Almiron on the left. Almiron, Just outside the ride side of the box, played a ball into Guimaraes who was just outside the box, and continued his run.
Guimaraes then chipped a first-time ball into the path of Almiron. He watched the ball drop and unleashed a superb, audacious first-time, left-footed volley, from just outside the corner of the six-yard box, that flew over the keeper and into the far corner, leaving the keeper stranded.
There were also good goals from Arsenal’s Partey. Chelsea’s Gallagher.
FOOL: NATHANIEL CHALOBAH (Fulham)
As a rule, I will never share any of these awards, and I try to shy away from putting officials up here, but if ever I was to change either of these, it would be for this.
Ref Chris Kavanagh and var official Stuart Attwell were abysmal in not sending off Thiago Silva for a blatant handball, being the last man, no matter how far away it was from goal.
What made it worse is Silva’s header set up the equaliser to allow Chelsea to go on and win the game late. However, back to business. On his first start in the top flight. Chalobah put in a horrendous challenge to get his marching orders after just 8 minutes.
This severe error of judgement put his team under immense pressure as they went on to get slapped 4-1 at home. What a start. FOOL!
