TEAM: WOLVES
This was a tough one as several teams, for different reasons, on another day would have easily won this. However, I went with Wolves, as it’s not every day a team can boast a win over the best team in Europe.
Nobody expected them to overcome City, but they played with passion and determination, reducing City to half chances and made them look human.
Well done also to Arsenal, Palace, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham. Also, Villa and Luton were both very close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: ALLISON (Liverpool)
Although Liverpool defended very well, they still needed some magic from their keeper to keep Spurs at bay.
Even with nine men, Liverpool defended well, but their keeper had to stand strong and make a few saves. However, he was very unfortunate to get nothing from the game after conceding in the last minute from his own player.
Shout out also to Luton’s Kaminski. Wolves’ Sa and Palace’s Johnstone who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: CRAIG DAWSON (Wolves)
Although there were a few very good candidates for this, I couldn’t give it to anyone other than the Wolves man, who did a man-marking masterclass on the mighty Haaland.
He barely gave Erling a sniff and reduced him to one half-chance the entire game. But not only that. He was also on hand to make several covering blocks and headers and even saved one off the line.
Well done also to his teammates Kilman & Tote Notts Forest’s Murillo. Villa duo Konsa & Cash, Arsenal’s White. Newcastle’s Trippier, West Ham’s Aguerd. Liverpool duo Gomez & Van Dijk. Also, Palace trio Guehi, Mitchell and Anderson who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: MARTIN ODEGAARD (Arsenal)
After their lacklustre performance in the North London derby, they needed a reaction, and it was the captain with a captain’s performance who led the team.
He was involved in all four goals, whether it was in the build up, assisting, being fouled for a penalty or scoring a penalty which he dispatched with ease. He could have scored two penalties but gave the second to teammate Havertz to get his first Arsenal goal.
Shout out also to Forest’s Dominguez. Brentford’s Norgaard. Villa trio Diaby, Ramsey & Luiz. Luton’s Doherty. Palace duo Ayew & Eze. Burnley’s Larsen. West Ham trio Bowen, Soucek & Ward-Prowse also Man City’s Alvarez,
FORWARD: OLLIE WATKINS (Aston Villa)
Although there were some good performances, none were better than Watkins’s hat-trick.
He terrorised the usually stern Brighton defence with direct running with the ball, endless running off the ball, teamwork and clinical finishing that tore the seagulls to shreds.
Well done also to Arsenal’s Saka, Luton duo Morris & Adebayro. Liverpool’s Gakpo. Tottenham’s Son. Everton’s Calvert-Lewin. Newcastle duo Almiron & Isak. Wolves duo Hwang & Neto, Chelsea duo Broja & Mudryk
MANAGER: UNAI EMERY (Aston Villa)
Again, this was a tough decision, and I feel bad for not giving it to the Wolves manager. However, in the battle of potential elite managers, Emery showed De Zerbie there are levels to this.
His team ripped Brighton apart in a scintillating display of attacking football to thrash Brighton. He is also making Villa Park a fortress, as this was his tenth straight home win.
Shout out also to Palace’s Hodgson. Arsenal’s Arteta and Wolves’ O’Neil who was very close to winning this.
UNSUNG HERO: TOM LOCKYER (Luton)
This was another close call. But missing out on most categories, I had to acknowledge the first of the promoted teams to get a win. It was an inspiring one at Everton, led by their captain.
We all know what happened to him in the playoff final. He’s come back from it to lead his team and showed typical determination throughout the game, especially being the first to react and score the first goal, which set them on their way to this memorable victory, where he was the man-of-the-match.
Well done also to West Ham’s Bowen. Palace’s Anderson and Wolves’ Neto,
GAME: TOTTENHAM 2-1 LIVERPOOL
The controversy started midway through the first half when Jones’ tackle on Bissouma was upgraded from a yellow to red, reducing Liverpool to 10 men (26). Liverpool then scored through a perfectly good Diaz goal, but was wrongly ruled offside by the linesman, then bizarrely by the VAR (34).
Spurs then took the lead when Maddison threaded a ball down the inside left channel, and Richarlison’s low cross was turned in by Son (36). However, Liverpool equalised on the stroke of halftime when Van Dijk headed back for Gakpo to swivel and score (45+4).
In the second half, the game hit more controversy. Jota received a second yellow a minute after his first. But he should not have been given the first yellow card as video evidence showed he did not touch Udogie (69).
As the seconds were ticking down, it seemed 9-man Liverpool would get a point. But Porro found some space on the right, and his low cross was turned into his own net by Matip for a heartbreaking Spurs win (90+6).
GOAL: MIGUEL ALMIRON (Newcastle) v Sheff Utd
Burnley’s Ramsey showed too much of the ball to Trippier in the Burnley half, his tackle fell to Almiron on the right, 25 odd yards from goal.
Almiron drove forward, cut onto his favoured left foot, jinxed once, got half a yard, and unleashed a powerful effort from just outside the semi-circle, that flew into the top far corner.
Well also to Palace’s Anderson, who also scored a good goal this week.
FOOL: SIMON HOOPER & DARREN ENGLAND
Everton, Man Utd and maybe Brighton were lucky to get away with this, but it had to go to the blundering officials. There is not much more that needs to be said. There were so many points of failure it really does baffle.
However, I must say, the linesman got off lightly as if he kept his flag down like they are supposed to, none of this would have happened. But also, WTF was the var assistant doing? Seriously it’s baffling, and does call into question the integrity of the league. FOOLS!
