ARSENAL
In one of their toughest tests of the season, against the only team to beat them in the league. They stood up to that test in a thriller after going a goal down, then being pegged back to 2-2.
They pilled on the pressure, went all out for the win and got their rewards in the last minute to go five points clear at the top with a game in hand. Well done also to Man City. Aston Villa. Tottenham and West Ham.
GOALKEEPER: EMILIANO MARTINEZ (Aston Villa)
He returned from winning the World Cup in World Cup winning form. In both his games back he has been influential, and this week, away at Southampton.
His performance again caught the eye with not only some very good saves, but his awareness to come off his line and snuff out any danger to earn a clean sheet and help his team to an away win.
Shout out also to Brentford’s Raya. Arsenal’s Ramsdale. Forest’s Henderson and Palace’s Guiata.
DEFENDER: THIAGO SILVA (Chelsea)
Every week I am in disbelief at how he manages to perform at the highest level at the age of 38. This week he was at it again with a man-of-the-match performance.
Although Liverpool are not exactly firing on all cylinders. He was the one experienced player at the back, and that proved vital as he marshalled his back line and read the game to perfection to earn a credible clean sheet.
Well done also to Liverpool’s Konate. Newcastle duo Trippier & Schar. Aguerd. Brighton’s Estupinan. Man City’s Stones. Palace’s Guehi. Leeds duo Koch & Wober. Spurs’ Dier also Arsenal’s Zinchenko and Brentford’s Mee who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: JARROD BOWEN (West Ham)
This was probably the toughest decision this week, as there were several candidates worthy of this.
However, his two goals were the difference in a game that lacked real quality. It was a reminder of his quality, and what he is capable of, West Ham will be hoping to see much more of this quality in the second half of the season.
Shout out also to Bournemouth’s Anthony. Arsenal duo Xhaka & Odegaard. Man Utd’s Rashford. Man City duo De Bruyne & Mahrez. Leicester duo Albrighton and Barnes and Brighton’s Mitoma who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Man City)
I had to think long and hard about this, but in the end, I couldn’t ignore another hat-trick by the Norweigian marksman to make it four trebles this season already.
He is rewriting all the scoring records in the league, and with his presence, pace, power and clinical finishing, he will set records that will stand for a very long time.
Well done also to Brighton’s Ferguson. Villa’s Watkins. Bournemouth’s Ouattara. West Ham’s Antonio. Forest’s Surridge. Spurs’s Kane and Arsenal duo Saka & Nketiah who were both close to winning this.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
It seems whatever he touches turns to gold at the moment. His team are purring and on top of their game. The even went a goal down for the excitement, but quickly got back on level terms.
They were on top for most of the second half and deserved to get the winner. Sticking with Nketiah is also proving a masterstroke and it was the youngsters goal that won the game late, in dramatic fashion.
UNSUNG HERO: EDDIE NKETIAH (Arsenal)
After Jesus was injured, nobody was sure about his credentials, but he rewarded his managers’ faith in him by leading the line well and scoring goals.
His two this week showed his predatory instincts to sniff out a chance, be in the right place at the right time and ultimately finish, scoring seven in seven games to win a vital game in the title race.
Well done also to his teammate Saka. Brighton’s Mitoma and Leicester’s Barnes.
GAME: ARSENAL 3-2 MAN UTD
In a thriller of a game, Rashford stunned the home crowd when he blocked a Partey pass and then got the ball back from Fernandes.
He then jinxed past Partey and arrowed a low swerving effort into the bottom corner (17). However, Arsenal was soon level after good work on the left between Zinchenko and Odegaard, who fed Xhaka.
He put in a first-time cross to the back post for Nketiah to pounce and head home (24). In the second half. Arsenal took the lead when Saka picked up the ball wide right just outside the box, cut inside, then outside Shaw, and expertly lashed in a low shot at the far post (53). Man Utd equalised not long after following a corner.
Eriksen’s in-swinger was flapped by Ramsdale, and Martinez was on hand to stoop low, and loop in a header(59). Arsenal found a late, dramatic winner when Zinchenko on the left, pulled a cross back for Odegaard.
His deflected shot spun towards goal, and Nketiah was in the right place at the right time to stick out a foot and flick home (90).
GOAL: KAORU MITOMA (Brighton) v Leicester
Early in the first half, Brighton moved the ball quickly from right to left as the ball found Mitomo by the touchline in the Leicester half.
He ran at his marker until he got to the edge of the box, then cut inside to just outside the box and hit a powerful, curling effort that sailed into the far top corner. There was also a good goal from Arsenal’s Saka.
FOOL: FRANK LAMPARD (Everton)
Another Lampard game in charge of Everton with another defeat. Everton are in terrible form under Lampard, who just can’t buy a win, and to be honest, they are not even playing like they believe they will win.
The natural thing to do is relieve Lampard of his duties after a run of one draw and five defeats since their return from the World Cup break, and this was after three straight defeats before the World Cup break.
Quite frankly, I am surprised he lasted this long. Fool!
