TEAM: NEWCASTLE
What a double week it has been for the Geordies. Two very impressive wins in a few days has made the dream of a Champions League place a reality.
They first dispatched Man Utd at home in a comfortable manor. Then went to West Ham and gave the Hammers their worse home defeat in four years, while scoring five for only their second time away in the Premier League.
Well done also to Aston Villa. Man City. Arsenal. Bournemouth.
GOALKEEPER: EMILIANO MARTINEZ (Aston Villa)
It was a tough one this week as not any outstanding goalkeeper performances. However, the Villa keeper more than played his part, especially at Chelsea where he kept a clean sheet.
Then at Leicester, he did what he needed to do as his team recorded two wins in a matter of a few days to move up to eighth in the league.
Shout out also to Arsenal’s Ramsdale. Man Utd’s De Gea. Liverpool’s Alisson. Brentford’s Raya. Brighton’s Steele and Bournemouth’s Neto.
DEFENDER: MICHAEL KEANE (Everton)
This was easily the most difficult decision this week due to so few outstanding performances.
So, I went with the most memorable defensive performance as the Everton man must have been struggling after conceding a penalty at home. After going a man down, he had to dig deep with his teammates, which they did, and lifted their game.
Then after Spurs got a man sent off, he produced a wonder goal to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat. Well done also to his teammate Tarkowski. Arsenal’s White. Man City’s Stones. Newcastle trio Trippier, Botman & Schar. Villa duo Konsa & Mings. Chelsea’s Fofana. Liverpool’s Konate. Forest’s Mangala and Brighton’s Dunk.
MIDFIELDER: JACK GREALISH (Man City)
Against Liverpool he put in a masterclass after City came from a goal behind. Seemed to be everywhere and involved in everything.
He assisted the first, was involved in the next two goals, then scored the fourth. Even showed a bit of defensive awareness to chase back and stop a ball across that would have led to a one on one.
Shout out also to his teammates De Bruyne and Gundogan. Everton’s Onana. Arsenal duo Xhaka & Odegaard. Bournemouth’s Tavernier. Fulham’s Pereira. Leeds’ Kristensen. Brighton trio Caicedo. Mac Allister Mitoma. Forest’s Gibbs-White. Leicester duo Barnes & Pereira. Palace’s Eze. Villa duo McGinn & Buendia. Man Utd’s Rashford. Leeds duo Harrison and Sanisterra. Chelsea duo Fernandez & James and Newcastle trio Guimaraes. Willock and Joelinton who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: OLLIE WATKINS (Aston Villa)
This was a wafer thin one as I was going to go with the Newcastle forwards, but in this moment, I had to give it to the Villa forward who is in the form of his life.
Two goals in the two games this week. Both taken with the typical confidence he is playing with, to become the first Villa player to score in five consecutive games.
Well done also to his teammate Traore. Forest’s Johnson. Arsenal duo Jesus and Trossard. Bournemouth’s Solanke. Spurs’ Kane. Man City’s Alvarez. Liverpool’s Salah. Brentford duo Toney & Mbeumo. Brighton trio Welbeck, Ferguson & Enciso. Palace duo Ayew & Mateta. Also, Wolves’ Podence.
MANAGER: EDDIE HOWE (Newcastle)
To be fair it was a close-run thing but the way they went to West Ham and annihilated them swayed it. Newcastle are looking good and Howe is using his squad to perfection.
Not that long ago you thought their bubble had burst, but he has galvanised the team and with these two very good wins, are now looking every bit like the third best team in the league. Shout out also to Aston Villa’s Unai Emery.
UNSUNG HERO: CALLUM WILSON (Newcastle)
Not exactly unsung, but as he did not get the forward award, I felt he deserved to be rewarded.
He’s had terrible issues with injuries over the years but still manages to come back and make an impact. Showed that again this week. Came off the bench to get the decisive second goal against Man Utd.
Then in from the start at West Ham, he comes up with two goals to prove his is still very much the man. Well done also to his teammate Joelinton. Forest’s Johnson and Brighton’s Ferguson.
GAME1: BRIGHTON 3-3 BRENTFORD
Brentford took an early lead from a set piece when Jensen put a right footed cross in from the left touchline, for Jansson to get in front his marker to power a header home (10).
Brighton equalised from Steele’s long goal kick that saw Mitoma run through on goal and lob the keeper from outside the box (21). Brentford regained the lead instantly when Jansson won a header from a poor throw in Brighton’s half, to Mbeum0 who, from just inside the box turned it on for Toney to control, run in on goal and finish (22).
Brighton then equalised again when March’s cross at the second attempt, was headed in at the far post by Welbeck (28).
In the second half, Brentford took the lead for a third time when Mbeumo swung over a free kick from just outside the box on the left, for Pinnock to ghost in at the far post, and get the outside of his boot to the ball to finish from a few yards (49).
Just as the game was heading for a Brentford victory, Hickey blocked a shot with his arm and var awarded a pen which Mac Allister comfortably stroked home (90).
GAME2: LEICESTER CITY 1-2 ASTON VILLA
In form Aston Villa took the lead with a familiar scorer. Buendia picked up the ball just inside Leicester’s half and threaded it through for Watkins.
His strong run managed to fend off two Leicester defenders and as the keeper came out, while falling, he slipped the ball past him into an empty net (24).
However, Leicester was back in it when Faes played a long ball out to the left touchline for Barnes to run onto. He outstripped his marker and as he got into the box on the left, found the far corner (35).
With the game in the balance Dewsbury-Hall received two yellow cards in the space of six minutes and was off (70).
Villa then won it late on when Traore pounced on loose pass from Mendy, and hit a first time, left footed curling effort from outside the box, over the keeper into the far corner (87).
GOAL1: MICHAEL KEANE (Everton) v West Ham
After conceding the penalty and desperate to get something from the game. Garner fed Godfrey, who fed Keane in the middle of the park.
Forty yards from goal. Keane took a few strides forward, moved slightly to his right and just as he was getting closed down. Let fly with a thunderous effort, cutting across the bail that saw it swerve away from the keeper into the right corner of the net.
There was also a good goal from Bournemouth’s Tavernier who was close to winning this.
GOAL2: HARVEY BARNES (Leicester) v Aston Villa
Faes picked up the ball deep in his own half and played a searching ball out to the left touchline.
Barnes, hugging the line, watched the ball drop out the sky and took the ball perfectly in his stride.
He then used his speed to outrun the defender down the line and burst into the box. As he got to just outside the six-yard box, he opened his body and curled it low, just inside bottom far post for a wonderful finish.
FOOL: LEICESTER CITY
Both Chelsea and Liverpool were extremely close to winning this, as well as Spurs’ Lucas Moura and West Ham’s Fabianski, but they were all saved by the form and shambles that is Leicester.
I could have given this to Dewsbury-Hall for his sending off, but the whole club is culpable. Lost at Palace in the last 30 seconds after leading. Sacked Rodgers, hoped for a reaction.
Was drawing against Villa, but got a man sent off for two yellows in quick succession and once again lost it in the last few minutes. Disastrous form, disastrous mentality. Disastrous decisions. Just a disaster all around. FOOLS!
