TEAM: BRIGHTON
After getting destroyed by Everton at home, they needed a reaction, but nobody expected such a reaction against the title challengers, where only Man City had won this season.
However, they were brilliant from start to finish and played Arsenal off the park. Had you not known, you would have thought Brighton where the team challenging for the title with their slick and scintillating football in a comfortable and dominant away victory.
Well done also to Man City. Liverpool. Fulham. Brentford. Aston Villa. Crystal Palace and Man Utd.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID RAYA (Brentford)
Almost by default, he takes this award. There were not many standout goalkeeper performers this week.
Although some were good, the Brentford man was the most significant as West Ham did have a few chances, but they were unable to get past him, which allowed his team to go on and win the game.
Shout out also to Brighton’s Steele. Forest’s Navas and Wolves’ Bentley who was close to winning this,
DEFENDER: PERVIS ESTUPINAN (Brighton)
He was a menace up and down the left flank. Not only did he have Saka on lock defensively, but his endless energy caused havoc going forward and was a constant threat.
He assisted the first goal, then sealed a memorable victory with a well-taken finish for the third.
Well done also to his teammates Caicedo, Dunk and Colville. Leeds’s due Ayling and Kristensen. Man City’s Walker. Forest’s Lodi. Brentford trio Mee, Pinnock & Henry. Palace duo Ward & Mitchell. Man Utd’s Wan-Bissaka. Fulham duo Adarabioyo & Diop. Also, Liverpool duo Konate and Alexander-Arnold who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: ILKAY GUNDOGAN (Man City)
The very top players tend to turn up at pivotal moments of the season, and he has a knack for saving his absolute best performances for the title run-in.
Talk about grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. He opened the scoring with a superb, improvised finish. Then, a few minutes later, put in a picture-perfect cross to assist the second.
To top it off, he clipped in a wonderful free kick to cap off a complete performance. Shout out also to his teammates Mahrez and Rodri. Palace’s Eze. Brighton’s Mac Allister. Man Utd duo Fernandez & Garnacho. Villa duo Luiz & McGinn. Fulham’s Reed and Liverpool’s Jones.
FORWARD: TAIWO AWONIYI (Notts Forest)
He has really hit a purple patch. Two weeks in a row, he scored a double. Like last week, his goals were well taken, instinctive finishes which showed all his predatory instincts.
Just at the right time, at a crucial point in the season, he has come good and started to score goals, which has helped his team to four vital points and three above the relegation zone.
Well done also to Chelsea’s Sterling. Man City’s Haaland. Man Utd’s Martial. Fulham duo Vinicius & Mitrovic. Brighton duo Enciso & Undav. Newcastle duo Isak & Wilson. Brentford duo Mbeumo & Wissa. Tottenham’s Kane. Palace’s Olise and Liverpool’s Salah.
MANAGER: ROBERTO DE ZERBI (Brighton)
I don’t think many expected him to improve on the team Potter had constructed, but that is exactly what he has done.
The way they went to the Emirates and not only beat Arsenal but played them off the park was commendable. Playing their way out of trouble from the back was risky but worked every time.
From the goalkeeper to the forwards, every player seemed comfortable, knew their job, and executed perfectly. Shout out also to Man City’s Guardiola and Liverpool’s Klopp.
UNSUNG HERO: MOISES CAICEDO (Brighton)
It was touch and go with his teammate, but you can see exactly why he has been so sort after this season. He was immense at the Emirates.
Playing in an unfamiliar right-back role, yet seemed to be everywhere, pressing, winning the ball, being available to receive the ball and linking up play.
He has been a consistent performer this season, and his contributions have been invaluable. Well done also to his teammate Enciso. Fulham’s Mitrovic. Villa duo Ramsey & Luiz. Palace’s Eze and Liverpool duo Jones and Alexander-Arnold.
GAME: LEEDS 2-2 NEWCASTLE
Leeds took an early lead when Bamford’s cross from the left, was headed towards goal by Rodrigo. Pope parried down, but Ayling reacted quickest to tap home from two yards (7).
Leeds then got a penalty when Joelinton fouled Firpo in the box. Bamford stepped up, but his penalty was saved (28). Newcastle equalised when Wober fouled Isak in the box, and Wilson struck home from the spot (31).
In the second half, Newcastle got another penalty when Firpo handled in the box, and Wilson made no mistake from the spot (69). Leeds then equalised when Kristensen’s shot from the edge of the box deflected off Trippier and in (79).
There was still time for Firpo to get a second yellow card to cap a terrible day (90+1). There was also a good game at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea drew 2-2 with Notts Forest.
GOAL: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (Liverpool) v Leicester
From a free-kick, just outside the box to the left, where Alexander-Arnold and Salah stood over it. Salah then ran towards the ball, as to take it but rolled it behind him for Alexander-Arnold.
Who ran onto it and hit a first-time effort from 25 yards out that curled into the top far corner, giving the keeper absolutely no chance. There were also very good goals by Man City’s Gundogan and Palace’s Eze, who was close to winning this.
FOOL: SOUTHAMPTON FC
After an 11-year stint in the Premier League, they have ended their stay with another poor performance.
It has been a disastrous season for the Saints, and the writing has been on the wall for months. However, as much as the players must take the blame. Off the field, the boards’ decisions were arguably worse, and none of their decisions have been good.
The fans will hope they learn from these mistakes because if they don’t, it will be a long time until they are back. FOOLS
