TEAM: NOTTINGHAM FOREST
There were a few worthy candidates for and some teams, namely in north London. However, I usually go with the unlikeliest result, and nobody expected Forest to go to Chelsea and get a win.
Even with Chelsea’s poor home record, after having a net spend of over £200m this summer, you would have thought they turned the corner. But credit to Forest, who had a game plan, stuck to it, defended stoutly, and took their chance when it came.
Well done also to Man City, Arsenal, Brighton, Liverpool, West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Spurs, who were close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: JORDAN PICKFORD (Everton)
There weren’t many to choose from this week. However, though he was beaten twice in the game, the second was a very unlucky own goal. He made a few good saves, including a triple save right at the death to save a point that got him this.
McBurnie’s powerful header came off the ground with pace that Pickford threw himself at to tip onto the bar. Then McBurnie got to the rebound, which Pickford palmed away.
But what most missed, he had the presence of mind to kick the ball away from the on-rushing Archer on the line and gather in his arms.
Well done also to Liverpool’s Alisson and Forest’s Turner.
DEFENDER: JOE WORRALL (Notts Forest)
He put in an inspiring man-of-the-match performance, along with the help of his teammates, to get a memorable away win and a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge.
It was all the more inspiring knowing he had just found out his relative had passed away. He must have used that as motivation, as he was like a brick wall with numerous tackles and blocks. He finished with the joint most possessions won in the game.
Well done also to his teammates Boly & McKenna. Luton’s Anderson. Brighton’s Van Hecke, Dunk, Veltman and Estupinan. Tottenham duo Romero and Udogie. Arsenal’s Saliba and Liverpool duo Gomez and Alexander-Arnold.
MIDFIELDER: DECLAN RICE (Arsenal)
Although it’s still early days, you can see why Arsenal spent all that money on him. It was a masterclass in midfield, from his defensive work protecting the back four to his forages forward in attack.
In such a tight and tense game, there was no more fitting person to somehow, find space in the box and win the game.
Shout out also to his teammate Odegaard. Man Utd’s Rashford. West Ham duo Bowen & Paqueta. Brighton duo Gross and Gilmour. Man City’s Foden. Forest duo Yates & Elanga. Spurs duo Maddison and Solomon. Burnley’s Brownhill. Bournemouth’s Brooks. Brentford’s Jensen. Everton duo Doucoure & Danjuma. Liverpool’s Szoboszlai. Palace’s Eze and Wolves’ Cunha.
FORWARD: EVEN FERGUSON (Brighton)
I really had to check his age because it is mind-blowing to think he has been putting in these types of performances as a teenager.
And it wasn’t a fluke as he notched a few last seasons. He picked up where he left off by scoring a wonderful hat-trick against a Champions League team in Newcastle and was a real handful all game.
Well done also to Palace duo Eduardo & Mateta. Wolves’ Hwang. Sheff Utd’s Archer. Burnley’s Foster. Bournemouth’s Solanke. Brentford’s Mbeumo. Everton’s Beto. Newcastle’s Wilson. Liverpool duo Salah and Nunez. Arsenal’s Jesus. Man City duo Alvarez, also Haaland and Spurs’ Son were close to winning this.
MANAGER: STEVE COOPER (NOTTS FOREST)
Once again, there were several candidates for this, but Forest’s smash-and-grab job at mega-bucks Chelsea made the biggest impact this week.
What was more impressive. Not only did they defend well, but just three minutes after he introduced Elanga at halftime, he had given Forest the lead. Midway through the second half, he made some very intelligent defensive substitutions that Chelsea had no answer for.
Shout out also to Arsenal’s Arteta, Brighton’s De Zerbie and Tottenham’s Postecoglou.
UNSUNG HERO: KURT ZOUMA (West Ham)
Ultimately, the match-winner of the game. He has come back from the catgate incident, got his head down and concentrated on his football.
With all the media hate, it’s a testament to him that his performances have not dipped, and at Luton, in a tight stadium with no protection from the fans, he managed to turn in a man-of-the-match performance and winning goal.
Well done also Forest duo Boly & Yates. Sheff Utd’s Archer. Liverpool’s Gomez. Bournemouth’s Brooks and Brighton’s Gilmour.
GAME: ARSENAL 3-1 MAN UTD
In a typically high-paced game, United took the lead against the run of play when Eriksen played a ball forward to Rashford. He drove into the box, cut inside onto his right foot, and with two Arsenal defenders trying to stop him, he fired an effort inside the far post (28).
However, just 30 seconds later, Arsenal went up the other end, Martinelli on the left, played it square for Odegaard to lash a first-time shot home from just inside the box (28).
Both teams had chances in the second half to win it but, United thought they did when Garnacho ran through on goal and slid past Ramsdale, only to be cut short by var for a wafer think offside (88).
Then Arsenal won it in stoppage time when Rice found himself in aches of space from Saka’s corner. He had time to control and volley. The ball took a slight deflection, which Onana could only get a hand to, but not stop it from going in (90+6).
Arsenal then sealed the win. From just inside his half, Vieira played it forward for Jesus to run through on goal. He faked to shoot with his left but cut back onto his right to leave Dalot sliding. Then cooly finished into the bottom far corner (90+11). There was also a good game when Sheff Utd drew 2-2 with Everton.
GOAL: CRISTIAN ROMERO (Tottenham) vs Burnley
Following Maddison’s dribble down the right side of the box and cut back. Which bounced off Kulusevski, and was defended by two Burnley players, who challenged the loose ball in the box.
The loose ball was then challenged by another two players and bounced off another Burnley player. It then eventually fell to Romero just outside the box. He took one step and hit an unstoppable effort that flew from right to left and nestled in the top far corner, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.
FOOL: EVERTON FC
No explanation is needed, from pending over £400m this summer, with a net spend of over £200, making it over £1b in just three windows under Todd Boehly.
To lose at home to Forest, who won just one away game last season. Chelsea should be reminded that football games are actually won on the pitch, not in the transfer window. FOOLS!
