TEAM: BURNLEY
As much as I wanted to give this to Luton their win, I had to go with my age-old rule of a good away win over a good home one.
That said, Burnley fully deserved this after going to Fulham, who were coming off back-to-back 5-0 home wins. But they defended well and were decisive in front of goal for an unexpected second away win of the season.
Well done, as stated to Luton. Also West Ham. Wolves. Bournemouth and Tottenham.
GOALKEEPER: GUGLIELMO VICARIO (Tottenham)
Although Spurs got away with one with the disallowed goal, and Everton did pull one back. They owe much of the win to their keeper as Everton was on top for most of the game.
However, they found the Spurs keeper in good form. After their two early goals, it was his performance in front of goal that frustrated Everton and preserved the win.
Shout out also to Burnley’s Trafford. Luton’s Kaminski and Palace’s Henderson.
DEFENDER: JACK ROBINSON (Sheff Utd)
This was probably the hardest decision this week, with several candidates to choose from.
However, I went with Robinson’s man-of-the-match performance, which was unlucky not to earn him a clean sheet and win.
I saw Villa destroy Man City a few weeks ago, but his defending, with the help of his teammates, held Villa at bay and reduced them to half chances to snap Villa’s 15-game home winning streak.
Well done also to his teammates Bogle, Larouci, & Trusty. Arsenal duo Saliba and Gabriel. Liverpool trio Van Dijk, Konate & Alexander-Arnold. West Ham’s Zouma. Burnley foursome O’Shea, Taylor, Beyer & Vitinho. Luton’s Bell. Spurs duo Emerson & Porro and Forest’s Williams.
MIDFIELDER: WILSON ODOBERT (Burnley)
I have seen several little glimpses of the teenager, and he has threatened performances like this for a while.
But it all came together against Fulham. He was full of energy and ingenuity, with some lovely touches, skill and link-up play. He showed his quality with a superb opening goal that set his team on the way to a good away victory.
Shout out also to his teammate Berge. West Ham duo Paqueta & Kudus. Luton duo Barkley & Townsend. Forest’s Elanga. Sheff Utd’s Hamer. Spurs’s Son. Everton trio Garner, McNeil and Gomes. Villa’s Zaniolo. Brighton’s Gross and Wolves’ duo Lamina & Doherty.
FORWARD: DOMINIC SOLANKE (Bournemouth)
Naturally, this was an easy one this week. His hat-trick won the game and spared some blushes after playing against 10 men for the majority of the game.
There were all well-taken goals, showing his confidence. Two superb headed goals, which showed his movement and awareness. As well as, his anticipation to sniff out the second goal and finish.
Well done also to Forest’s Wood. Liverpool’s Salah. West Ham’s Bowen. Tottenham’s Ricahrlison. Sheff Utd’s Archer. Palace’s Ayew, Brighton’s Welbeck and Chelsea’s Nkunku.
MANAGER: ROB EDWARDS (Luton)
I can understand Vincent Kompany fans feeling aggrieved at him not getting this, but I had to go for the Luton manager after all that’s happened in the past week.
It must not have been easy after the incident with club captain Tom Lockyer. But credit to the manager and the players for getting up for the game, staying professional, and showing grit and determination to get a win and a clean sheet.
Shout out also to Burnley’s Kompany and West Ham’s Moyes.
UNSUNG HERO: JARROD BOWEN (West Ham)
Not unsung, and even though he gets his plaudits. I still don’t think he is lauded enough for how much he has carried West Ham on his back.
No doubt, he has been supported by his teammates, but as always, when West Ham needs a moment of inspiration, it is he who produces it.
This was again the case against Man Utd, as he opened the scoring, which set West Ham on their way to a home victory and moved them up to sixth in the league.
Well done also to his teammate Zouma. Villa’s Zaniolo and Luton’s Townsend.
GAME: NOTTS FOREST 2-3 BOURNEMOUTH
New Forest manager Espirito Santo got off to the worst possible start as defender Boly was shown a second yellow for a horrendous decision by ref Rob Jones. (23).
Forest held out in the first half, then took the lead in the second when Wood played Elanga in on the right of the box, and he slid a low shot inside the far post (47).
Bournemouth were soon level when Solanke looped a near post header over the keeper (51). Solanke then got a second when anticipated Billing’s header that came off a defender to finish from six yards (55).
Wood then equalised for 10-man Forest when he nodded in Gibbs-White’s corner at the far post, with the aid of a touch off a defender (74).
As the time was ticking down, Bournemouth got a dramatic late winner when Solanke expertly headed in from the penalty spot, which Turner could only get a hand to before seeing the ball nestle into the top corner (90+4).
GOAL: WILSON ODOBERT (Burnley) vs Fulham
As Fulham were trying to play their way out of trouble, the ball was won high up in the Fulham half.
Odobert picked up the loose ball and played it into Foster, who flicked it with the outside of his boot to lay it back to him.
Running onto the ball from 20 yards out, Odebert hit an unstoppable first-time effort, cutting across the ball to thunder into the far corner of the net.
FOOL: ROB JONES (Referee) Notts Forest v Bournemouth
Man Utd were lucky not to be here, as I try my best not to involve officials. However, this couldn’t be ignored, as it negatively affected the game.
Boly’s second yellow, which saw him sent off after just 23 minutes, was a horrendous decision.
What made it worse was the Bournemouth player stood on Boly’s foot after the Forest defender’s tackle. The ref was looking directly at it. How did he not see this?
It’s sad to say but, this crop of refs are the worst I have ever seen in the Premier League. This atrocious decision is just another, in a long line of blatantly incompetent refereeing decisions. FOOL
