TEAM: LEEDS UNITED
Languishing in the bottom three and not winning a game in eight, it was a daunting task going to Anfield where Liverpool had not lost a game there since March 2021.
However, Leeds played with freedom and verve, running, harassing, tracking back, and showing bags of energy.
Though Liverpool did the utmost to contribute to their downfall, it was the Leeds players and their constant running that forced the tired-looking Liverpool team into endless mistakes, which allowed Leeds to snatch a dramatic late winner.
Well done also to Tottenham. Newcastle. Man City. Crystal Palace and Man Utd. Also Brighton and Arsenal were both very close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID DE GEA (Man Utd)
Admittedly, it was touch and go with a few keepers, but I gave it to the Man Utd man who although did not make as much saves as Leeds’ Meslier, he definitely made the better saves.
I know West Ham are still scratching their heads wondering how they didn’t score. De Gea was like a man possessed, a one man wall, as he flung himself left and right, making outstanding saves, right up until the last few minutes to thwart and frustrate West Ham to earn a clean sheet and three points.
Well done also to Man Utd’s De Gea. Everton’s Pickford. Palace’s Guaita. Brighton’s Sanchez. Leicester’s Ward & Man City’s Ederson.
DEFENDER: PERVIS ESTUPINAN (Brighton)
This was probably the hardest decision this week. The Brighton defender was solid in defence, totally shutting down the likes of Pulisic & Gallagher down the right, who were both taken off.
But, was also a feature in attack, giving Chalobah a torrid time with endless energy, finding space down the left, which led to Brighton’s third goal.
Shout out also to his teammate Gross. Brentford’s Mee. Arsenal duo White & Tomiyasu. Man Utd’s Dalot. Leeds duo Koch & Struijk. Leicester duo Justin & Faes. Tottenham’s Davies. Palace duo Ward & Mitchell. Wolves’ Collins. Newcastle duo Schar & Trippier also Fulham’s Ream.
MIDFIELDER: REISS NELSON (Arsenal)
Who would have thought when Saka went off, his replacement would settle the game? It is not easy to fill the boots of England’s player of the year, especially as his last Arsenal goal was back in July 2020.
However, back from being on loan, with a slender 1-0 lead, a three-minute blitz saw him bag two goals. He demonstrated lovely footwork and clinical finishing, to take the game away from Forest. He also had time to assist another goal, to cap off a wonderful cameo.
Well done also to his teammates Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard and Martinelli. Man Utd’s Eriksen. Man City’s De Bruyne. Spurs’ Bentancur. Brighton duo Mitoma & March. Fulham’s Willian. Leeds trio Adams, Aaronson & Summerville also Wolves’ Neves.
FORWARD: CALLUM WILSON (Newcastle)
Excitement has been around every England player finding a bit of form a few weeks from the World Cup, but it feels significant for Newcastle’s striker.
He is in great form, and gave the Villa defenders a torrid time. He bagged two goals, got an assist, was involved in the other, and almost got a hat trick as his team brushed aside Villa.
Shout out also to his teammates Almiron and Joelinton. Brighton’s Trossard. Bournemouth’s Moore. Man Utd’s Rashford. Palace’s Edouard. Chelsea’s Havertz and Liverpool’s Salah.
MANAGER: JESSE MARSCH (Leeds Utd)
Even with an indifferent Liverpool side, not many gave Leeds a chance at Anfield. But to his credit, Marsch did not play defensive and came at Liverpool from the start.
They were fortunate with the early mistake for their opening goal, but after Liverpool equalised, you were expecting them to go on and get the win.
But Marsch was bold with his substitutions and continued to usher his team forward, looking for the win, which they got in dramatic fashion but fully deserved. Well done also to Brighton’s De Zerbi and Spurs’ Conte.
UNSUNG HERO: CRYSENCIO SUMMERVILLE (Leeds Utd)
Obviously, he is not unsung, but naturally, he deserves to be recognised. A day before this 21st birthday, playing at Anfield, he has written his name in the history books for snapping Liverpool’s long unbeaten home record.
It was a with a well-taken finish that showed all his predatory instincts and goalscoring ability, to sink Liverpool at home and help lift his team out of the bottom three. Shout out also to Spurs’s Bentancur & Brighton’s Trossard.
GAME: BOURNEMOUTH 2-3 TOTTENHAM
Bournemouth took the lead when Cook, deep in his half on the right, fed a ball into Solanke, who controlled, and turned the ball around the corner for Tavernier to gallop down the right.
He looked up and squared it for Moore, unmarked in the box, to open his body, and coolly stroke into the bottom corner with a side-footed, first-time finish (22). In the second half, it was two when Smith put a peach of a ball in from the right for Moore to outmuscle and get between two Spurs defenders to thunder a diving header home (49).
Spurs pulled a goal back when Hojbjerg threaded a ball through for Sessegnon to run onto to squeeze the ball past Travers, in off the post (57). Spurs got an equaliser when Davies rose high to beat the keeper and nod home Perisic’s comer (73).
The comeback was complete, this time from Son’s corner from the left that fell to Bentancur, to poke home at the second attempt after Bournemouth failed to clear (90+2).
GOAL: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Manchester City)
There were a few candidates for this, and I usually don’t side with a dead-ball goal, but this was just something else.
Some 22 yards out, De Bruyne stepped up and curled the ball over the wall with pace, power and a bit of dip.
To beat the outstretched arm of the keeper and thunder in off the inside of the post, then nestle in the bottom far corner. Inch perfect and absolutely unstoppable.
FOOL: JURGEN KLOPP (Liverpool)
A few candidates for this, but it goes to the Liverpool manager. Although it could have gone to anyone in the team. Yes, he’s not been helped by injuries.
Yes, the board have not helped him with their minimal spending. but still, as a manager, you must work with what you got at the end of the day be a manager.
You cannot go from beating arguably the best club team around in Man City, to losing at Forest, then at home to Leeds, two teams in the relegation zone.
Liverpool looked devoid of ideas and direction. It’s hard to believe this is the same squad that almost did the quadruple last season.
Whether it’s tiredness, complacency or a lack of motivation. Something is seriously wrong, and the manager must take full responsibility for where they are today. FOOL!
