BRENTFORD
This was a tough decision because as a rule, I usually go for a good away win over a great home one. That said, Brentford continues to upset the big boys.
But for 20 minutes in the second half, they bullied and dominated Liverpool, which left Klopp crying in the press conference. But for me, it wasn’t their physical play that was the difference.
It was their effort, directness and execution that easily outdid Klopp’s men. Well done also to Man City. Notts Forest. Fulham. Man Utd. Also, Brighton and Tottenham, who were both close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: BERND LENO (Fulham)
Although there were a few clean sheets this week, there weren’t any real outstanding keepers.
However, a few did excel, and out of all of them, the Fulham keeper made the most telling contributions, which helped his team to a big away win. After their early goal, Leicester tried to push to get something in the game, but Leno stood up to everything they had to earn an important clean sheet and victory.
Shout out also to Spurs’ Lloris. Brighton’s Sanchez Brentford’s Raya. Man Utd’s De Gea. Newcastle’s Pope and West Ham’s Fabianski.
DEFENDER: DAN BURN (Newcastle)
Whereas many of his teammates have gotten the plaudits recently, He has a superb game against the league leaders, who were brimming with confidence and scoring goals.
Up against it for most of the game, I felt he played Saka in particular, very well. Often having to defend chasing back, he was confident, strong, decisive, and often made the right decisions to help his team to a valuable away point.
Well done also to his teammates Trippier, Schar and Botman. Man City duo Stones & Ake. Chelsea’s Silva. Forest duo Worrall & Boly. Villa’s Mings. Wolves’ Kilman. Spurs’ Dier. Arsenal’s Gabriel. Brighton’s Dunk. Fulham duo Ream & Robinson. Brentford’s Mee and Man Utd’s Shaw, who were both close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: CASEMIRO (Man Utd)
Many will say it was only Bournemouth, which is true, but this is not just for this performance but for his growing influence on the team.
His influence was immense, and his experience was invaluable. You can tell he makes other players better and makes a difference at both ends of the pitch, as he showed with the opening goal.
Shout out also to his teammates Eriksen and Rashford. Leeds duo Gnonto & Summerville. West Ham’s Paqueta. Spurs duo Doherty & Perisic. Brighton trio Gross, March & Mitoma. Fulham duo Willian and Palhinha and Brentford trio Jensen, Norgaard & Janelt.
FORWARD: HARRY KANE (Tottenham)
After a poor first half. As per usual, it was he who got his team going with two goals in five minutes at the start of the second half to set his team on the way to a much-needed away victory.
He showed determination and anticipation to head in the opener at the back past. Then a neat bit of play and an instinctive finish for his second showed his quality.
Well done also to his teammates Gill & Son. Man City’s Mahrez. Forest duo Awonyi and Johnson. Leeds’ Rodrigo. West Ham’s Scamacca. Wolves’ Podence. Villa’s Ings. Everton’s Gray. Brighton’s Ferguson. Fulham’s Mitrovic also Brentford duo Mbeumo and Wissa.
MANAGER: THOMAS FRANK (Brentford)
Once again, there were several candidates for this. But without his star man, Brentford still had enough to be too much for Liverpool.
Mainly because he knows how to play to his team’s strengths. They were direct, and physical and did not allow Liverpool time to play.
They mostly played on the front foot but recognised when Liverpool had the ball to drop deep and play on the counter, which worked for the third goal that sealed the game. Shout out also to Brighton’s De Zerbi. Fulham’s Silva. Forest’s Cooper and Man City’s Guardiola.
UNSUNG HERO: EVAN FERGUSON (Brighton)
Not exactly unsung, but the 18-year-old followed up his goal as a sub at league leaders Arsenal. With a goal on his first start at Everton.
Both goals were very different but showed how much of a prospect he is in front of goal. More importantly, he is not looking out of place at this level, has tremendous movement and awareness and already has an eye for a goal in the Premier League.
GAME: LEEDS 2-2 WEST HAM
In a lively affair, Leeds got an early lead when Gnonto picked up the ball midway in the West Ham half, played it square to Summerville and continued his run for a neat one, two into the box.
In one motion, he controlled with his right and fired in with his left (27). On the stroke of half-time, West Ham got a penalty when Struijk fouled Bowen in the box. It took var to advise the ref, and Paqueta made no mistake from the spot (45).
Seconds into the second half, Aaronson’s poor pass went straight to Scamacca, who turned, and from outside the box, curled a crisp, low effort in off the far post (46). Later in the half, Leeds equalised following a throw-in, which was received by Adams.
He played a ball through the middle for Harrison, who turned away from his marker and stabbed it forward for Rodrigo. The Leeds striker cut inside his marker with his right foot and stroked into the bottom far corner with his left (70).
GOAL: DANIEL PODENCE (Wolves) v Aston Villa
After a ball into the box was cleared by a Villa defender. It came to Moutinho outside the box, who played it to Podence on the right flank.
He controlled, evaded a defender and played it line for Moutinho, who ran down the line and played a reverse pass into the box for Podence.
As he moved onto the ball, he quickly shifted the ball from his right to his left foot to beat the defender, then curled a lovely effort into the side netting of the far corner.
FOOL: SOUTHAMPTON FC
I could have easily put several candidates up here, but Southampton, sitting rock bottom and losing at home to Forest, who has collected the least amount of points and goals away, is a worry.
It was even more of a worry they did not have a shot on goal. The board may just be regretting their decision to appoint a young, inexperienced manager. After bringing in several young inexperienced players.
Southampton are now on a six-game losing streak, and the board will have to live and die on this decision. Fools.
