TEAM: NEWCASTLE
Admittedly, I am going against my own rules on this as there were several very good away performances that on another day would be up here.
However, I went with the Geordies, who were battling with their own injury issues, but still destroyed Chelsea, who went toe to toe with Man City two weeks ago.
Chelsea were reduced to a free-kick goal, while Newcastle netted four, and it could have easily been much more.
Well done also to Aston Villa. Bournemouth. Brighton. West Ham. Luton. Fulham Also, Man Utd and Arsenal, who were both close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: ANDRE ONANA (Man Utd)
He has not had the best start to his Man Utd career but seems to have settled and started to show his quality.
His good form has coincided with United’s recent good run of form, and although they had to ride their luck at Everton, he pulled off some top-class saves to frustrate the home team, which allowed United to get a more comfortable win than it was.
Shout out also to Luton’s Kaminski. Spurs’ Vicario Bournemouth’s Neto also, Villa’s Martinez, who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (Liverpool)
Some may raise their eyebrows at this as many thought he struggled against Doku, plus he didn’t cover himself in glory for City’s goal.
But for all of Doku’s energy and trickery, he didn’t create many clear-cut chances, and the ones he did create, only once did he beat Trent.
As City were reduced to just one goal, it was Trent who arrived at the other end with a lovely finish to snatch a vital away point for his team.
Well done also to Arsenal’s Zinchenko and Saliba. Man Utd’s Maguire. Brentford’s Mee. Newcastle duo Lascelles & Trippier. Luton duo Mengi & Lockyer and Villa’s Torres.
MIDFIELDER: JAMES TAVERNIER (Bournemouth)
There were several candidates for this, and although the opposition helped, he was the only midfielder to notch more than one open-play goal this week.
His two goals were well-taken finishes, showing his movement off the ball, directness, touch, and eye for a goal. All six of his goals this season have been vital and deserved the man of the match.
Shout out also to his teammate Kluivert. Arsenal duo Rice & Havertz. Man Utd duo Garnacho & Mainoo. Brentford’s Janelt. Chelsea’s Sterling. Newcastle’s Miley. Man City’s Doku. Burnley’s Koleosho. West Ham duo Soucek and Kudus. Palace’s Olise. Spurs’ Lo Celso. Forest duo Gibbs-White and Elanga. Fulham duo Willan and Iwobi.
FORWARD: ANTHONY GORDON (Newcastle)
With Newcastle’s injury issues, he has really stepped up for the Geordies and has arguably been their best player thus far this season.
His endless running and quality on and off the ball terrorised Chelsea, creating an assist for the vital second goal and wrapping the game up with a lovely taken fourth.
Well done to Man Utd’s Martial. Man City’s Haaland. Burnley’s Rodriguez. West Ham’s Mubama. Luton’s Brown. Villa’s Watkins. Brighton duo Joao Pedro & Ferguson. Sheff Utd’s McBurnie. Wolves’s duo Cunha & Hwang.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
This was a really tough decision as I could have chosen any manager to be here. However, I want with the Arsenal manager.
Although his team didn’t perform the best, in his 200th game, he is creating a knack for winning games under any circumstances. He has now bettered Wenger’s record for most wins in his first 200 games.
Also, he brought the much-criticised Havertz off the bench to win the game. They are now joint first in the league for goals from substitutes.
Shout out also to Newcastle’s Howe. Man Utd’s Ten Haag. Villa’s Emery. West Ham’s Moyes. Brighton’s De Zerbi. Bournemouth’s Iraola. Luton’s Edwards.
UNSUNG HERO: LEWIS MILEY (Newcastle)
Although there were some good candidates for this, I went with the 17-year-old who marked his league debut with a 13th-minute assist.
With Newcastle having injury issues, youngsters would have to step up. It must have been daunting to come up against World Cup winner Fernandez, Sterling and even Palmer.
But he made the breakthrough with a lovely slide rule pass for Isak to score, which calmed the nerves and helped him to perform admirably in a memorable debut.
Well done also to Man Utd’s Mainoo. Arsenal’s Havertz and West Ham duo Kudus & Mubama.
GAME: NOTTS FOREST 2-3 BRIGHTON
Forest took a very early lead when Mangala won the ball in his own half. Gibbs-White then travelled down the right and put a cross into the far post for Elanga to head home (3).
Brighton equalised when Gross found Ferguson on the edge of the box, and he curled into the far bottom corner (26). Brighton then took the lead when Joao Pedro expertly headed in Gross’ cross from the right (45+4).
In the second half, Brighton stretched their lead when Joao Pedro was hauled down by Wood in the box. He then made no mistake from the spot (58).
Forest pulled a goal back when Hudson-Odoi was fouled in the box, and after some time, VAR gave the penalty. Dunk was given two yellow cards in a minute for dissent (73).
Gibbs-White scored the penalty (76), but Brighton held on for the win. There was also a good game at Craven Cottage as Fulham beat Wolves 3-2.
GOAL: ALEJANDRO GARNACHO vs (Everton)
Rashford picked up the ball on the right and played in Dalot running towards the byline. He took a touch and whipped a cross into the back post.
As the ball swung in the box, Garnacho, with his back to the goal and running in the opposite direction, improvised and angled his body to execute a picture-perfect overhead kick in midair.
With perfect connection, the ball fired off his boot and flew into the far corner,
There was also a very good goal from Crystal Palace’s Olise.
FOOL: CHELSEA FC
Burnley could have been here for their seventh home defeat in a row. However, I went with mega-bucks Chelsea, who can have no excuse for a horror show.
Although they have injury issues and players returning from international duty. The money they have spent will get them no sympathy.
Especially after doing so well against Man City two weeks ago. They thought they had turned the corner, but their second-half capitulation tells you they are still failing massively. FOOLS!
