TEAM: ARSENAL
After the disappointment of going out of Europe, they needed to bounce back positively and to be fair, it was a perfect opponent.
However, they still had to get the job done, and they did it emphatically, as they steamrolled Palace scoring four goals and playing scintillating football from start to finish.
Well done also to Aston Villa. Leeds. Newcastle. Brentford and Brighton.
GOALKEEPER: JASON STEELE (Brighton)
This was a difficult one as there were not any outstanding keepers this week. So, not exactly by default, as the backup keeper did put in a man-of-the-match performance, albeit against a misfiring and a low-on-confidence palace team.
But as his team claimed the victory by just one goal and he kept a clean sheet by making a couple of particularly good saves, you can say this is fully deserved.
Shout out also to Leeds’s Meslier. Bournemouth’s Neto. Villa’s Martinez and Forest’s Navas.
DEFENDER: TYRONE MINGS (Aston Villa)
Almost by default, as there was not much to choose from, and to be honest, it helped who the opponent was, but you can only beat what is in front of you.
He made it look easy and was alert to everything, was dominant in the air and on the ground and even popped up with an assist for the third goal.
Well done also to his teammate Moreno. Arsenal duo White and Holding. Brentford’s Mee. Wolves’ Jonny, Leeds’ Ayling. Everton’s Tarkowski. Newcastle duo Trippier & Burn. Also, Brighton duo Estupinan & Dunk.
MIDFIELDER: THEO WALCOTT (Southampton)
Following a disappointing display in midweek, although they did not claim a victory, it was an inspiring comeback. He assisted the equaliser just minutes into the second half.
But they found themselves 3-1 down with 15 minutes to go. But he dragged his team back into it, by being in right place at the right time to finish coolly. Although they were fortunate with the pen, he was involved in getting the corner that led to the pen, to cap a fine display where he rolled back the years.
Shout out also to his teammate Ward-Prowse. Arsenal duo Xhaka & Odegaard. Leeds duo Harrison and Gnonto. Villa trio Luiz, Buendia & Ramsey. Spurs duo Porro & Perisic. Chelsea’s James. Everton’s Doucoure. Brentford’s Jenson. Leicester’s Barnes and Brighton’s March.
FORWARD: BUKAYO SAKA (Arsenal)
Coming of age does not fully explain his performances this season but still gives you an idea of how far he has come in a short time.
His two goals and one assist in a deserved man-of-the-match performance against Palace were typical of his season and his status as a proper star.
With 12 goals and 10 assists, he becomes the first player in Premier League to hit double figures in both categories, and he is still just 21, scary.
Well done also to his team Martinelli. Brentford’s Toney. Southampton’s Adams. Spurs’ Kane. Leeds’ duo Kristensen & Rodrigo. Chelsea duo Havertz & Joao Felix. Wolves’ Cunha. Forest’s Dennis. Everton’s Simms and Newcastle’s Isak who was close to winning this.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
To go eight points, clear at the top with just 10 games remaining is huge. Arsenal fans are starting to dream, and with the way the team are playing in the league, you cannot blame them.
Arteta has had a settled first time for much of the season but recently has had to make changes which have all worked out, and after going out of Europe, his team delivered a fitting response to lay a marker down for the rest of the season.
Shout out also to Villa’s Emery. Leeds Gracia and Newcastle’s Howe.
UNSUNG HERO: ELLIS SIMMS (Everton)
I found this a tough decision as there were a few candidates for this. However, this award is more due to the surprise of what he delivered.
I must admit, I had my doubts when I first saw him, and to be honest, I still do. But to come on in the second half and beat such a world-renowned defender like Koulibally in that way. Then finish past Kepa in the last minute to earn what could be a valuable away point at Chelsea was memorable.
Well done also to Arsenal’s Xhaka. Southampton’s Ward-Prowse. Brighton’s March and Villa’s Ramsey.
GAME: SOUTHAMPTON 3-3 TOTTENHAM
In a surprisingly tight first half, Spurs opened the scoring when Davies found Son in the inside left channel, and he threaded a ball across the box for Porro to run onto and first in the near top corner (45+1).
Just seconds into the second half, Southampton where level. Walcott was played in the inside right channel by Lavia and squared across the box for Adams to stab home (46). Spurs then went ahead when Kane nodded in Kulusevski’s left-footed cross from the right, in at the far post (65).
Spurs went two goals ahead when Perisic ran onto a headed clearance, and his powerful effort from the edge of the box was hit into the ground and bounced in (74). Southampton pulled one back when Ward-Prowse’s cross from the right, was headed back by Mara for Walcott to coolly side-foot home (77).
The comeback was complete when Sarr was adjudged to have fouled Maitland-Niles just inside the box, and Ward-Prowse slammed home the penalty (90+3).
GOAL: JONNY (Wolves) v Leeds Utd
Leeds was strolling three goals up when a hopeful ball was played forward, which Meslier came outside his box to head forward.
The ball then fell to Roca in the middle of the park, who decided to play a first-time volley to his left. It then fell to Jonny, some 40 yards 0ut.
With Meslier off his goal, he decided to hit a first-time, side-footed volley that sailed over the keeper and bounced into an empty net. There were also good goals from Everton’s Simms and Forest’s Dennis.
FOOL: CRYSTAL PALACE
It has been a dismal month for the south Londoners. No win this year, losing at Brighton in midweek, then sacking their manager.
Although they’ve been doing badly, I still think it was harsh. They then went to league leaders Arsenal, and although they broke their recent scoring duck, they shipped in four goals.
To make matters worse the talk is they will rehire 75-year-old Roy Hodgson to try steady the ship. Talk about going backwards. FOOL!
