TEAM: LIVERPOOL
Although it was still the two best teams in the league, recent form suggested Man City were a certainty to win it. However, Liverpool had other ideas as they changed tactics and played deeper.
Although they relinquished some possession, it allowed them to be more solid at the back, which minimised City’s clear-cut chances.
They were always a threat on the break, and this is how they won the game to inflict a first league defeat on City, while becoming the first time to stop them from scoring in the league.
Well done also to Tottenham. Chelsea Arsenal. Brentford and Wolves.
GOALKEEPER: KEPA ARRIZABALAGA (Chelsea)
This was the hardest goalkeeper decision this season, as several were in the running for this, and any other week, any one of them would have been up here.
But I went for the sub-goalkeeper. He only got in the team due to an injury to Mendy. This luckily coincided with the new manager being appointed, and he has played ever since.
Against Villa, he was the main reason Chelsea picked up the three points, as they were not at their best, but he was, with a string of fine saves, some defying logic, to thwart and frustrate the home team.
Shout out also to Palace’s Guaita. Arsenal’s Ramsdale. West Ham’s Fabianski. Also, Liverpool’s Alisson. Brentford’s Reya and Wolves’ Sa, were all close to winning this.
DEFENDER: JOE GOMEZ (Liverpool)
To be fair, you were fearing the worst with all their injuries and recent form, playing against Man City and their firepower.
He’s had an indifferent season, so no doubt he was under immense pressure, as was the rest of the team. But he rolled back the years to the title-winning season.
He looked solid and assured, with confident passing out from the back, in a very impressive performance and deserved the man of the match award.
Well done also to his teammates Van Dijk, Milner & Robertson. Southampton’s Parraud. Newcastle’s Schar. Fulham’s Diop. Leicester’s Faes also Brentford duo Mee & Pinnock.
MIDFIELDER: MASON MOUNT (Chelsea)
Although his keeper kept them in the game, it was his goals that won it, in a game where Chelsea was under pressure for most of it.
However, it was his two pieces of brilliance that settled it. The first showed anticipation and awareness to sniff out a mistake, then score with a cool, first-time finish.
Then his second, with a 25-yard free kick, that fooled the keeper, with pace, swerve and accuracy.
Shout out also to Arsenal’s Saka. Leeds’ duo Aaronson & Sinisterra. Liverpool’s Elliot. Brentford’s Onyeka. West Ham’s Rice. Man City’s Rodri. Bournemouth’s Lerma. Wolves Neves and Tottenham’s Hojbjerg.
FORWARD: IVAN TONEY (Brentford)
He is really playing his way into the World Cup squad, and it’s becoming harder to deny him.
Brentford’s talismans do not just give them goals, his influence all over the pitch was immense.
He showed another side to his game with the excellent, deft flick finish, to open the scoring.
Then sealed the game with a penalty he won, to maintain his 96% success rate and never looked like missing. Well done also to Liverpool’s Salah. Bournemouth’s Solanke. Fulham’s Mitrovic and Tottenham’s Kane.
MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP (Liverpool)
Recently I have criticised his rigidness and lack of tactical variation, especially with the 433.
However, credit where credit is due, as because of his team’s poor start to the season, he changed tactics.
Surprisingly, he seemed to out tactic Pep by changing and playing deeper. This helped to thwart City throughout the game, then as they started to tire, he moved Salah central and utilised his speed on the break, which ultimately got them a vital and moral boosting win.
UNSUNG HERO: JAMES MILNER (Liverpool)
I must say, I was one of the people who feared for him when I saw his name in the starting line-up.
Although the change in tactics of playing deeper helped him, he still had to execute on the pitch and contributed to Liverpool looking solid defensively.
He still had to use all his considerable experience and know-how to get through the 90 minutes, I am still wondering how, in such a blistering, full-blooded game at the age of 36 he got through the 90 minutes and come out unscathed.
But that is a testament to him, his dedication and commitment to the game
GAME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 MAN CITY
The game had a lack of goals, but typically between these two teams, no lack of drama. In part, down to the ref letting a lot go.
There were a few half chances in the first half that fell to Jota, Robertson and two for Haaland. But the game was turned up in the second half when Foden’s shot from an angle went in off Gomez on the line but was pulled back for a Haaland foul on Fabinho (53).
Salah then had a one-on-one expertly saved by Ederson. Jota missed another good chance. Then, following De Bruyne’s poor free kick that sailed into Alisson’s hands. He saw Salah free and aimed a long kick towards him.
As the ball dropped, just in the City half, Salah rolled Canelo, then ran down on goal and coolly slotted home over Ederson (76). There was still time for Klopp to be sent off for over protesting a foul on Salah (86).
GOAL: DOMINIC SOLANKE (Bournemouth) v Fulham
The move started from inside Bournemouth’s box. It was played left to Smith, who fizzed it down the line to Tavenier.
He galloped down the line, and played a ball inside to Solanke, who controlled and cut towards the left corner of the box. Billing then ran behind, then around him, where Solanke played a ball inside the left channel of the box, and continued his run.
Billing then played a first-time reverse pass back inside to Solanke, who finished, first time with a side-foot volley into the top corner. There were also good goals from Chelsea’s Mount. Arsenal’s Saka. Brentford’s s Toney. Liverpool’s Salah and West Ham’s Rice.
FOOL: TYRONE MINGS (Aston Villa)
With your manager up against it and your team on a four-game losing run, then playing a top-six team.
Naturally, the first port of call is to keep it tight early, and not make any silly mistakes or give the opposition any easy chances. Mings, an experienced pro, and England international, did the complete opposite.
After just 6 minutes, as the ball looped up, not under any challenge or real pressure, he completely missed the flight of the ball, and totally misjudged his header, which fell Invitingly for Mount to seize upon and sweep home for a disastrous start.
Although Villa was the better team, and it took a heroic performance from Kepa to keep them out. His under-pressure manager must be ruing that mistake for the opening goal and probably wanted to throttle him at half time. FOOL!
