TEAM: EVERTON
This was a tough one to call, but I went with my age-old rule of picking a good away win over good home wins.
With that said, Everton has been through turmoil over the past few weeks, and morale must have been really low. However, at a ground where Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle have lost. Also, Man City and Chelsea have dropped points in the past 18 months.
Everton put on a disciplined and spirited display to get a much-needed away win and kept a clean sheet.
Well done also to Burnley. Chelsea. Newcastle. Liverpool. Brentford and Arsenal.
GOALKEEPER: ROBERT SANCHEZ (Chelsea)
Although Chelsea was fairly comfortable first half, he was beaten once. But once Gallagher got sent off, Chelsea were up against it.
However, although they weren’t bombarded, the 10-men of Chelsea had to thank their keeper for a few good saves, and though he was beaten again, he had to stand strong to secure their three points.
Shout out also to Villa’s Martinez. Everton’s Pickford and Fulham’s Leno.
DEFENDER: KIERAN TRIPPIER (Newcastle)
He assisted the only goal of the game, and much like how he’s been throughout the season, he was solid and consistent.
He gave the United players hell down the right flank, whether it was attacking or defensive, he had the right side locked down and equally solid as he was threatening.
Well done also to his teammate Schar & Livramento. Chelsea trio T.Silva, Badiashile & Colwill. Arsenal’s Zinchenko. Burnley duo Taylor & Vitinho. Fulham duo Robinson & Tete. Everton’s Tarkowski and Brentford’s Mee. who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: ENZO FERNANDEZ (Chelsea)
There weren’t many candidates for this, which made it a close one. However, the Chelsea man opened the scoring and notched a vital penalty to win the game.
Down to ten men on the stroke of halftime, he had to do his fair share of defending to keep Brighton at bay. But he showed a cool head to dispatch the pen to earn three vital points.
Shout out also to Bournemouth duo Tavernier & Semenyo. Brighton’s Buonanotte. Liverpool’s Mac Allister. Fulham duo Wilson & Reid. West Ham’s Kudus. Man City’s Foden & Grealish. Arsenal’s Odegaard. Brentford’s Yarmoliuk. Burnley trio Larsen, Brownhill & Koleosho. Everton’s McNeil and Newcastle’s Guimaraes. Spurs trio Johnson, Lo Celso and Kulusevski who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: ANTHONY GORDON (Newcastle)
I was tempted to give this to one of the Burnley men, but after a blistered start, it was plain sailing for them playing against 10 men for an entire half.
However, Gordon, in a short space of time, has become somewhat of a talisman, and although they played United off the park, it was his goal, scoring for the fourth time in a row at St James’ Park in the league to win the game.
Well done also to Arsenal duo Saka & Jesus. Spurs’ Son. Bournemouth’s Solanke. Villa duo Bailey and Watkins. Palace’s Edouard. Luton’s Brown. Brighton’s Pedro. Wolves’ Cunha. Brentford’s Maupay & Baptiste and Burnley duo Rodriguez and Amdouni.
MANAGER: SEAN DYCHE (Everton)
There were several who were in the running for this, and I had to deliberate for a while to decide, but in the end, Dyche’s strong team effort swayed it.
Under immense pressure, at a place where many have faltered. Everton played in a specific style that had all the hallmarks of Dyche.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was necessary to grind out a 1-0, and three valuable away points.
Shout out also to Burnley’s Kompany. Liverpool’s Klopp. Chelsea’s Pochettino and Spurs Postecoglou.
UNSUNG HERO: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD (Liverpool)
Obviously not unsung, however, I couldn’t give him the defender’s award as Liverpool conceded three goals.
Not only that, but he moved further forward in the second half, and it paid dividends. Whether he was right back or in midfield. He was the driving force that helped his team stage a dramatic late comeback to win the game.
He was unlucky not to be awarded the opening goal following his superb free kick. However, he was in the right place to anticipate where the ball would drop and executed a lovely finish to send Anfield into pandemonium.
Well done also to West Ham’s Kudus. Everton’s McNeil and Spurs’ Kulusevski, who was close to winning this.
GAME: LIVERPOOL 4-3 FULHAM
Liverpool opened the scoring when Alexander-Arnold’s superb free kick from just outside the box on the right, kissed the bar and went in off Leno’s Head (20). However, Fulham were level when Wilson turned in Robinson’s low near post cross (24).
Liverpool took the lead again from Mac Allister’s wonder strike from 30 yards out (38). Fulham were again level on the stroke of halftime when Tete stabbed in from a corner (45+3).
In the second half, after Nunez hit the bar. Fulham took a shock lead when William on the right played it inside to Cairney, and his clip to the back post allowed Reid to climb above two Liverpool defenders and power a header home (80).
But Liverpool weren’t finished. They equalised when Konate played it forward for Nunez, who headed down for Salah. He touched back for Endo to side-foot expertly into the top corner (87).
Just as the game was heading for a draw. Gakpo’s shot was saved, Nunez followed up and crossed to the back in. Reid and Tsimikas challenged at the back post, and the ball fell to Alexander-Arnold just inside the box, who controlled on his thigh and volleyed home inside the near post to send Anfield delirious (88).
GOAL: ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER (Liverpool) v Fulham
The ball was in Fulham’s right-back area and played into midfield. A loose header by a Fulham player bounced in front of Mac Allister some 30 yards from goal.
The Argentinian took one step and hit an unstoppable effort, cutting across the ball that allowed it to swing from left to right and flew into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.
FOOL: MANCHESTER UTD FC
McBurnie got away with this after his red card for a second elbow after getting away with a first one earlier in the half.
However, it was as bad of a performance as you can see by Man Utd, and I was scratching my head, wondering how they got away with just a one-goal defeat.
Is it the manager, or is it the players? Someone has to figure something out fast, as the way they were played off the park by an injury-hit Newcastle team, giving such a lack of effort and desire was alarming.
It doesn’t bold well heading into the toughest period of the season. FOOLS!
