TEAM: LIVERPOOL
There were several candidates for this. Bournemouth can feel hard done by as they were claiming this award until Monday, when Liverpool tore Leeds apart and got revenge for losing to them at Anfield.
They took full advantage of Leeds’ defensive frailties and were clinical in front of goal, scoring at will, and could have won by more goals.
Well done, also to Newcastle. Brighton. Aston Villa. Fulham. Man Utd. Brentford. Crystal Palace, Man City and Bournemouth were close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: BERND LENO (Fulham)
I had to think long and hard to choose this one, as there were some really good performances without anyone being outstanding.
However, I went with the Fulham keeper who, at crucial times in the game, pulled off two very good saves, amongst others, which allowed his team to go on to secure an away win in their charge for European football.
Shout out also to Chelsea’s Kepa. Forest’s Navas and Bournemouth’s Neto.
DEFENDER: ALEX MORENO (Aston Villa)
This was probably the toughest decision this week. In the end, I gave it to the Villa man, who was like a man possessed down the left flank, against a Newcastle team who were in good form and had not given much away.
He was involved in numerous chances and assisted the second before his original assist was ruled out for offside. He was also involved in the third goal and was solid in defence all game.
Well done, also to his teammate Mings. Man City’s Stones. Arsenal’s White. Brighton’s Estupinan. Wolves’ Totti & Man Utd’s Dalot and Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold who were both close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: EBERECHI EZE (Crystal Palace)
Last week was his teammate, this week it was his turn. Albeit against the bottom team. However, last week he was one of the influential players, this week, he was the influential player.
Scoring two goals, the first showed his awareness to be in the right place at the right time. The second was share brilliance, with his back to goal, turning to evade one, then beating another before finishing from 20 odd yards.
Shout out also to his teammates Doucoure & Olise. Man City duo De Bruyne & Grealish. Wolves’ Nunes. Bournemouth’s Vina. Spurs’ Danjuma. Fulham duo Wilson & Reed. Everton’s McNeil. Brighton’s Caicedo. Villa’s Ramsey. Chelsea’s Gallagher. Man Utd’s Antony. Liverpool’s Jones. Also, West Ham duo Bowen & Benrhama.
FORWARD: OLIVER WATKINS (Aston Villa)
On Fire doesn’t even begin to explain his form. He is playing with confidence and freedom he has never seen and with maturity.
Another two well-taken goals, and if it wasn’t for VAR would have had a hat-trick against the usually stubborn defence of Newcastle.
He also assisted the opening goal for a very productive afternoon. Well done, also to Man City’s Haaland. Leicester’s Iheanacho. Wolves duo Diego Costa & Hwang. Spurs’ Son. Fulham’s James. Brighton duo Welbeck & Enciso. Arsenal’s Jesus. Bournemouth duo Ouattara and Solanke also Liverpool foursome Jota, Salah, Gapko & Nunez.
MANAGER: GARY O’NEIL (Bournemouth)
He is surprising everyone, especially with the football Bournemouth are playing. The unlikely win at Spurs makes it five wins in their last nine and back-to-back wins for the first time in five years for Bournemouth.
They are also up there for most come-from-behind wins. The way they played, it looked like they were the team going for a place in the Champions League. Not sure how his team managed to kick on again after the equaliser, but it was his late substitute Ouattara, who won the game.
Shout out also to Villa’s Emery. Brighton’s De Zerbi and Liverpool’s Klopp.
UNSUNG HERO: JULIO ENCISO (Brighton)
Not exactly unsung, as he did score the winner at Chelsea, but I felt he deserved to be recognised.
Still just a teenager at 19, he has put in some eye-raising cameos from off the bench and seems to have bags of energy, a touch of quality and an eye for goal, which was all on show at Chelsea as he ran them ragged before scoring an absolute beauty.
Well done, also to Villa’s Ramsey. Bournemouth’s Solanke. Man City’s Stones & Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold.
GAME: TOTTENHAM 2-3 BOURNEMOUTH
Spurs opened the scoring when Lenglet played a ball over the top, down the inside left channel for Perisic to run onto the cut back from the six-yard box, for Son to sweep home (14).
Bournemouth unexpectedly equalised when Vina won the ball high, by the left touchline. Billing picked up the loose ball and played it short to Solanke, who slid a ball into the left side of the box for Vina to run onto and expertly dink over the keeper (38).
In the second half, Bournemouth took the lead when Solanke picked up the ball midway through the Spurs half, and played it left to Tavernier, who tricked his way into the box, as the ball came loose, Solanke was on hand to slip the ball over the sliding Romero & Lloris into the far corner (51).
Spurs got a late equaliser when Perisic’s long throw from the right was headed out to the edge of the box for Danjuma, to hit a first-time effort into the bottom corner (88).
Just when you thought Spurs would go on a win it, Senesi played a ball down the right, which Romero misjudged, and it fell for Solanke, who cut inside the played it for Ouattara to cooly cut inside Hojbjerg and curled into the bottom, far corner (90+5).
GOAL: JULIO ENCISO (Brighton) v Chelsea
After March received the ball from Caidedo and played a loose ball inside, he quickly pounced on Enzo’s loose touch to retrieve the ball and drive forward.
He then played square to Enciso, who took one touch out of his feet to move forward, another to steady himself, and as he was being closed down, hit an unstoppable effort from over 20 yards that flew into the near top corner.
Shout out also to Crystal Palace’s Eze and Man City’s Stones.
FOOL: TOTTENHAM FC
I could easily have given this to Chelsea once again, also Everton, who are struggling just above the relegation zone.
Leeds also, Arsenal’s Saka and Spurs’ Sanchez. However, the way Spurs’ season has been, it’s a miracle they are still chasing a Champions League place. Not only did they let a one goal lead slip at home to Bournemouth due to some terrible defending.
But after getting back to 2-2, when everyone thought they were destined to win. They managed to lose it with the last kick of the game. Champions League? You are aving a laugh. FOOLS!
