TEAM: BRIGHTON
The seagulls produced a wonderful performance at Old Trafford, and it’s not flattering to say they could have won by a larger margin. Although United started well, Brighton were brave in possession and were rewarded with this victory.
It’s crazy to think that they have now beaten United in four straight games. They scored three excellent goals with their brand of total football that is easy on the eye, and deservedly brought them praise.
Well done also to Liverpool. Man City. Aston Villa. Tottenham. Arsenal. Newcastle and Fulham
GOALKEEPER: ALPHONSE AREOLA (West Ham)
This was a hard one as there was not much to choose from, and the better goalkeepers all lost. In the end, although he was beaten three times, he almost waged a one-man war against City and Haaland in particular.
He faced the most shots of any keeper this weekend and made ten saves. Although it ultimately came to nothing, it wasn’t for the want of trying, and City had to keep knocking at the door to eventually get past him.
Shout out also to Bournemouth’s Neto. Man City’s Ederson. Spurs’s Vicario. Palace’s Johnston and Sheff Utd’s Foderingham who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: ANDY ROBERTSON (Liverpool)
Captaining the side in his 200th game, it was a fitting performance that encapsulated his Liverpool career. Full of energy and a factor at both ends of the pitch, menacing in attack, as much as he was reliable at the back, covering and taking responsibility.
Then, late in the game, when his team needed a moment of inspiration. He intercepted a goal kick on the right, played a ball to Salah, continued his run and collected the ball in the inside right channel, to coolly finish to make it 2-1 and win the game.
Well done also to his teammate Quansah. Bournemouth duo Aarons and Kelly. Fulham’s Ream. Arsenal’s Saliba. Brighton duo Lamptey and Van Hecke, Everton’s Braithwaite also Man City’s Walker.
MIDFIELDER: JULIAN ALVAREZ (Man City)
This was probably the hardest decision this week. It was touch and go with his teammate, but I went with the city man who came as a striker, but has been playing in a deeper attacking midfield role behind Haaland.
However, such is his talent and intelligence; he has adapted to this new role well and put in a man-of-the-match performance at West Ham with two assists to turn the game around.
Shout out also to his teammates B.Silva and Doku. Bournemouth’s Cook. Sheff Utd’s Hamer. West Ham’s Ward-Prowse. Brighton’s Gross. Spurs’ Kulusevski. Villa duo Luiz & Bailey. Palace’s Eze. Liverpool duo Elliot & Szobozlai. Arsenal’s Rice. Man Utd’s Mejbri. Burnley’s Amdouni. Forest’s Hudson-Odoi.
FORWARD: MO SALAH (Liverpool)
The mark of a great player is that even when they are not having the greatest of games, they still make a difference. He didn’t score, but his movement and vision created all three Liverpool goals. Including an exquisite assist for the second goal.
He now has the most assists in the Premier League for an African player and most of any players since he arrived in the league.
Well done also to Man City’s Haaland. Tottenham’s Richarlison. Arsenal’s Trossard. Fulham’s Vinicius. Brighton duo Wellbeck & Pedro. Newcastle’s Wilson. Palace’s Eduoard. Villa’s Duran and Wolves’ Hwang.
MANAGER: ROBERTO DE ZERBIE (Brighton)
As stated, Brighton has now beaten Man Utd in four straight games. He made six changes from their last league games, leaving a few starters out.
However, it made no difference as they were controlled, courageous and clinical at United. De Zerbie’s brave but progressive brand of football has transformed Brighton, and they could be a real threat to the top six.
Shout out also to Villa’s Emery. Liverpool’s Klopp. And Spurs Postecoglou.
UNSUNG HERO: RICHARLISON (Tottenham)
Lord knows he has had his fair share of stick, and rightly so as it has not worked for him in front of goal. Even when it has, it has been offside, or the goal was short-lived.
But to his credit, he has kept going, and when Spurs seemed down and out against Sheff Utd, he came on to bring energy and make the difference with a 98th-minute equaliser, then assisted the dramatic, 110th-minute winner, the latest ever in the Premier League.
Well done also to his teammate Kulusevski. Villa’s Duran, Bournemouth’s Cook. Brighton’s Gross and Arsenal’s Trossard.
GAME: WEST HAM 1-3 MAN CITY
Slightly against the run of play, West Ham took the lead in the first half when Coufal found space down the right and played a perfectly weighted ball into the box for Ward-Prowse to finish with a diving header (36)
Seconds into the second half City were level when Alvarez slipped Doku in down the left, and he cut in the curl a ball into the far post (46). City eventually made it two when Alvarez looped a ball into the box for Bernardo to touch past the keeper (76).
Both teams had their chances, but City settled the affair when Bernardo found Haaland, who took the ball well into his stride and thrashed home (86).
There were also good games with late goals when Villa beat Palace 3-1, and Spurs scored two very late goals, the latest winner in Premier League history to beat Sheff Utd 2-1.
GOAL: CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI (Notts Forest) v Burnley
A ball was swung in from the right from Sangare to the left of the box. Awoniyi brilliantly took down on his chest, with his back to goal, and laid it back for Hudson-Odoi just inside the corner of the box.
He took one touch to shift the ball to his right, then unleashed a thunderous effort that curled from outside to in, smashed off the inside of the post and in the net, giving the keeper no chance.
FOOL: MANCHESTER UNITED
United seem to be in real disarray at the moment, their off-field issues are bad enough, but on-field is equally worse.
They are currently sitting 13th, with three defeats in five games already and in their two wins against Forest and Wolves’ they scraped by.
This is all while having the most expensive squad in the league….Only to get easily brushed aside at home by Brighton, whose started eleven costs less than £20m. FOOLS!
