TEAM: MANCHESTER CITY
I must admit that I find ways not to give it to Man City, as its just too easy with their star-studded, no-expense-spared squad.
But at times, you just have to, for the consistent beast they are. Although we weren’t expecting anything different from this game.
Nobody would have predicted them scoring six and Haaland not getting on the scoresheet. They scored three with and three without him, which is a scary prospect.
Well done also to Newcastle. Notts Forest. Sheff Utd. Brentford. Crystal Palace and Man Utd.
GOALKEEPER: THOMAS KAMINSKI (Luton)
Although he was not overly exerted, you knew he would have to be in good form to get something out of the game, and he certainly was.
Liverpool didn’t make many clear-cut chances, but when they did have chances/shots, he stood up to everything to thwart and frustrate them and was unlucky to be beaten in the closing minutes.
Shout out also to Crystal Palace’s Johnstone. Wolves’ Sa. Sheff Utd’s Foderingham. Man Utd’s Onana and Tottenham’s Vicario.
DEFENDER: JAMAAL LASCELLES (Newcastle)
This was probably the toughest decision this week, but I gave it to the Newcastle man, who is only in the team due to injuries.
However, he shut down Arsenal’s usually flowing front line and reduced them to scraps with numerous tackles and blocks. His reading of the back line was also superb to earn a clean sheet and win.
Well done also to his teammates Schar, Trippier and Burn. Luton trio Lockyer, Mengi & Osho. Forest foursome Aina, Niakhate, Murillo and Toffolo. Man Utd’s Maguire. Brentford’s Collins. Palace duo Mitchell & Anderson. Everton’s Mykolenko. Man City duo Akanji & Ake. Sheff Utd’s Baldock and Wolves’ Dawson.
MIDFIELDER: JEREMY DOKU (Man City)
There is no doubt it helps that he is playing at Man City, alongside top-quality players. However, he still outshone everyone with some thrilling wing play of pace, trickery, vision and awareness.
A goal and four assists, even for Man City, is impressive. At 21, he is the youngest player to record four assists in a Premier League game.
Shout out also to Forest trio Mangala, Sangare & Dominguez. Luton duo Kabore & Chong Man Utd’s Fernandes. West Ham duo Bowen & Kudus. Palace’s Schlupp. Everton’s Doucoure. Man City duo Bernardo & Rodri. Spurs duo Kulusevski & Sheff Utd duo Norwood & McAtee. Chelsea’s Palmer. Wolves’ Bellegarde and Newcastle’s Joelinton.
FORWARD: NICOLAS JACKSON (Chelsea)
I must admit that this was one of the most reluctant awards I am giving out. There is no doubting his three goals were down to playing against nine men.
But a hat-trick is a hat-trick, regardless of the situation, and he had to be there to score the goals, which is exactly what he did to help his team to three away points.
Well done also to Newcastle’s Gordon. Liverpool’s Diaz. Brentford’s Maupay. Brighton’s Mitoma. Man City’s Foden and Sheff Utd’s Archer.
MANAGER: STEVE COOPER (Notts Forest)
This was another touch decision, and I feel sorry for Luton’s Rob Edwards, who was minutes away from being here. Several others were close.
However, on reflection, I was most impressed with Forest’s work and how they shut down a Villa team in form.
Although they had just 26% possession, they defended well, stayed compact and solid, and then struck on the counter where they were clinical.
Shout out also to Newcastle’s Howe. Man City’s Guardiola. Brentford’s Frank. Palace’s Hodgson. Sheff Utd’s Heckingbottom and Man Utd’s Ten Hag.
UNSUNG HERO: LUIS DIAZ (Liverpool)
Obviously not unsung, but he deserves to be recognised. We cannot begin to imagine what he is going through currently.
But to have the mental toughness to even suggest playing, let alone get on the pitch with minutes to go, and his team staring an embarrassing defeat in the face.
To come up with a stoppage-time header to equalise and save his team, while he is going through what he is going through, is just next level.
GAME: TOTTENHAM 1-4 CHELSEA
In one of the craziest games you will see. Spurs took the lead when Kulusevski broke down the right, cut inside, and his deflected shot off Colwill wrong-footed Sanchez (6).
Spurs thought they had a second, but Son’s goal was disallowed (14). Romero got away with a red card, with a kick on Colwill. Then Udogie got a yellow with a dodgy two-footer (18).
Sterling then scored, but it was disallowed as the ball rebounded off his arm (21). Caceido then harshly got a goal disallowed as Jackson was offside (28).
Romero’s terrible follow-through tackle got him a red (33) and gave Chelsea a penalty, which Palmer made no mistake from the spot (35).
In the second half, Udogie then got a second yellow and red for a silly challenge on Sterling (55). Jackson finally put Chelsea in front from Sterling’s cross (75).
Dier thought he equalised, but it was disallowed (79), before Gallagher crossed for Jackson to seal the points (90+4). Then Jackson got his hat trick as he rounded the keeper (90+7).
GOAL: MOHAMMED KUDUS (West Ham) vs Brentford
A long ball was played forward to Antonio on the left. He controlled and did well to turn and move down the left, just outside the box.
He then whipped a left-footed cross into the box. As the ball dropped, Kudus, with the ball behind him and his back to goal.
Improvised superbly to hit a first-time, scissor kick volley with pace that arrowed into the far corner.
FOOL: CRISTIAN ROMERO (Tottenham)
Burnley has once again escaped being up here, even though they have an unwanted record of six defeats in their first six home games.
However, having escaped a red card for kicking out. A few minutes later, Romero was equally wild and stupid with an overly aggressive challenge on his countryman Fernandez.
Spurs went from 1-0 up and running the game, to conceding a penalty and losing Romero, which killed the game for Spurs and ended their unbeaten run. FOOL!
