TEAM: NEWCASTLE
Although there were a few candidates for this, none were more deserving than the Geordies, who epitomised the word team.
It was an all-around complete performance, scoring four goals with four different scorers and every player in the squad playing their part.
Well done also to Wolves, Brentford, Spurs, Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa, who were close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: THOMAS KAMINSKI (Luton)
It was a hard one to choose this week, as not many keepers stood out. To be fair, hardly any did. So, it was almost by default.
However, the Luton keeper more than played his part. After conceding two, Forest threatened to run riot. But he made several saves to keep the score at 2-0.
It allowed his team to get two late goals to earn what could be a vital away point.
Shout out also to Everton’s Pickford. Bournemouth’s Neto. Tottenham’s Vicario. Man Utd’s Onana.
DEFENDER: DIOGO DALOT (Man Utd)
This was a difficult one as his teammate was close, but he edged it with a wonderful winning goal.
Not only that but, he was equally solid at the back and gave bags of energy down the right side while showing composure on the ball.
Well done also to his teammate Maguire, who was close to winning this, also, Everton’s Tarkowski. Newcastle duo Trippier and Schar. Aston Villa’s Konsa. Wolves’ Dawson, Brentford duo Pinnock and Collins also, Spurs’ Romero.
MIDFIELDER: DOUGLAS LUIS (Aston Villa)
If he didn’t win this, he would have won the unsung hero award. He is turning into an unlikely talisman, becoming the first Villa man to score in six consecutive home games in the league.
He scored the opening goal and then made it two from the spot in the second half. He also won all four of his tackles, and two from three in the air.
Shout out also to his teammates Zaniolo & Bailey. Spurs’ Maddison. West Ham’s Bowen. Man City duo Doku & Alvarez. Brentford’s Ghoddos. Newcastle trio Murphy, Longstaff & Guimaraes Forest duo Gibbs-White & Elanga, Luton’s Ogbene, Arsenal’s Rice and Man Utd’s McTominay.
FORWARD: CHRIS WOOD (Notts Forest)
Although there were some good forward performances this week against better opposition, I went with the Forest man, who in his first start since August, bagged two.
With Awoniyi out injured, the pressure has been on for him to perform. Some suggested he does not fit in the Forest team, but he showed what he brings with two superb finishes and almost got a hat-trick.
Well done also to Aston Villa’s Watkins. Liverpool’s Salah. Bournemouth’s Solanke, Wolves trio Kalajdzic, Cunha & Neto. Brentford’s duo Wissa & Mbeumo, Man City’s Haaland, Brighton’s Fati, Newcastle duo Gordon & Murphy. Luton’s Adebayo, Arsenal duo Saka & Trossard, Chelsea duo Palmer & Mudryk, Sheff Utd’s Mcbernie and Spurs’ Son.
MANAGER: UNAI EMERY (Aston Villa)
This was the closest one this week, and Howe was a whisker away from winning this. But the work Emery has done cannot be ignored.
This week was his one-year anniversary. They were 16th when he was appointed, now a year later, they are in Europe, and sit fifth, two points off the top after brushing West Ham aside 4-1. With his two subs scoring the third and fourth goals.
Shout out also to Wolves’ O’Neil and Newcastle’s Howe.
UNSUNG HERO: DECLAN RICE (Arsenal)
If ever there was a perfect signing for a team, then Rice is right up there. He seems to have fitted into Arsenal like a glove, like he has always been there.
In his first three months, he is already putting in talisman performances. Not only is he giving presence and energy, but he is also producing important goals.
His excellent first-time finish at Chelsea dragged his lacklustre team back into the game, which allowed them to get an unlikely point from a game they were second best.
Well done also to Wolves’ Kalajdzic. Chelsea’s Palmer. Man Utd’s Maguire. Forest’s Elanga and Man City’s Doku.
GAME: CHELSEA 2-2 ARSENAL
In an intense London derby, Chelsea took an early lead when Mudryk’s goal-bound header was blocked by the hand of Saliba, and Palmer coolly slotted home from the spot (15).
Chelsea made it two early in the second half when White lost the ball to Gallagher, who ran from inside his half down the left, fed Mudryk, and his cross-come shot looped over the hapless Raya (48).
Arsenal got a lifeline when Sanchez’s poor kick out went straight to Rice, who still had a lot to do, but his first-time effort from 25 yards out, just to the right of the box, flew into the net (77).
The equaliser seemed inevitable, and it came from Trossard, who stole in at the back post to guide Saka’s delightful right-sided cross inside the far post (84).
There was also a good game at the City Ground as Luton came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Forest.
GOAL: BRYAN MBEUMO (Brentford) vs Burnley
Mbeumo picked up the ball on the right from Ajar and played it down the line for Onyeka, who made his way towards the box, and played a ball square to Ajar.
On the edge of the box, Ajar played a short ball inside the box to Maupay. With his back go goal, Maupay touched it back for Mbeumo,
Running onto the ball, Mbeumo hit a rasping, first time, left-footed effort from just outside the box that flew into the top, far corner.
There were also good goals from his teammate Ghoddos, Chelsea’s Mudryk, Man Utd’s Dalot and Villa’s Bailey.
FOOL: CALVIN BASSEY (Fulham)
There were a few candidates for this. Bournemouth’s Cook. Arsenal’s Raya and Chelsea’s Sanchez especially. But Bassey had a game to forget in his first league start after being sent off against Arsenal in August.
He looked shaky from the first whistle, and it was his loose pass that allowed Spurs to score the first. Sadly, he didn’t learn, as in the second half it was again, his loose pass that allowed Spurs to score their second.
After not starting a game since August, I doubt Marco Silva will be in any rush to start him again anytime soon. FOOl!
