TEAM: LIVERPOOL
The top two form teams in the league clashed at the Vitality Stadium, but it turned out to be a mismatch.
Bournemouth started the game well but never actually threatened. Although Liverpool had some key players missing, their class showed in the second half with a four-goal rout.
Well done also to Arsenal. Man City, Brentford and Chelsea.
GOALKEEPER: DJORDJE PETROVIC (Chelsea)
He has been putting in some good performances of late that may have gone unnoticed.
However, it was close to a man-of-the-match performance in the West London derby that earned him a clean sheet and a decent win when his team didn’t play particularly well.
Shout out also to Everton’s Pickford. Villa’s Martinez. Luton’s Kaminski. Burnley’s Trafford and Arsenal’s Raya.
DEFENDER: GABRIEL (Arsenal)
The Gunners certainly needed the short winter break after a three-game losing streak and struggling for goals.
It was their defender who led the way in front of goal with a towering header. Then a second, which ended as an own goal. Including a commanding performance at the back, which calmed the nerves and set them on the way to an easy victory.
Well done also to his teammates Saliba & Zinchenko. Liverpool foursome Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez & Bradley. Spurs’s Porro. Everton duo Braithwaite & Tarkowski. Villa’s Moreno. Brentford’s Mee. Chelsea duo Disasi & Silva. Wolves’s Dawson and Brighton’s Dunk.
MIDFIELDER: KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Man City)
The thing all rival fans feared has come to fruition. De Bruyne is back and firing again.
With City losing, on came De Bruyne in the 69th minute. Just five minutes later, he got the equaliser, then in the 91st minute, he created the winner to strike fear around the league.
Shout out also to his teammates Rodri, B.Silva & Bobb. Arsenal Luton’s Barkley. Burnley’s Odobert. Chelsea’s Palmer. Man Utd’s Rashford. Tottenham’s Bentancur. Forest’s Danilo. Liverpool’s Mac Allister. Sheff Utd’s McAtee and West Ham’s Ward-Prowse.
FORWARD: DIOGO JOTA (Liverpool)
With Salah at the AFCON, players have to step up, and since he has come back from injury, he has more than stepped up.
At Bournemouth, it was two goals and an assist. He is turning into a real sharpshooter, and his quality, movement and link-up play were only bettered by his finishing.
Well done also to his teammate Nunez. Arsenal duo trio Trossard, Matinelli & Jesus. Burnley’s Amdouni. Luton’s Morris. Newcastle duo Gordon & Isak. Man Utd’s Hojlund. Spurs’s Richarlison. Brentford duo Toney & Maupay. Forest’s Wood. Sheff Utd duo Ben Brereton & McBurnie also West Ham’s Cornet.
MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP (Liverpool)
As good and experienced as Klopp is, nobody expected Liverpool to be leading the league midway through the season after their revamp and subsequent transitionally period.
But his Liverpool 2.0 team seem to be excelling. Even with missing key players, they seem to have all the answers, and their 4-0 romp at Bournemouth sent out some warning signs.
Shout out also to Man City’s Guardiola and Arsenal’s Arteta.
UNSUNG HERO: IVAN TONEY (Brentford)
All eyes were on him before and during the game. You could have excused him for being a bit rusty, being out for eight months.
But he played like he was never away. His link-up play, work ethic, presence and ultimately goals, pulled his team level, allowing them to go on and claim a first win in six games.
Well done also to Liverpool duo Gomez & Bradley. Spurs’ Bentancur. Man City’s Bobb
GAME: NEWCASTLE 2-3 MAN CITY
Newcastle started bright and had a goal disallowed in the 2nd minute. City took the lead against the run of play when B.Silva beautifully flicked in Walker’s cross (26).
Dubravka then tipped B.Silva’s shot onto the post before Newcastle levelled when Isak curled a lovely effort into the far corner (35).
Two minutes later, Gordon picked up the ball on the left, cut inside and curled another lovely effort inside the far post (37).
Man City got a lifeline when De Bruyne, just five minutes after coming on, arrowed a low drive into the far corner from the edge of the box (74).
In stoppage time, De Bruyne curled a ball in for Bobb to steal in at the far post and show composure and good feet to round the keeper and score (90+1).
There was also a good game at Brentford, who beat Notts Forest 3-2.
GOAL: NEIL MAUPAY (Brentford) vs Notts Forest
Toney picked up the ball just inside the Forest half and sprayed a left-footed ball wide to Roslev, who whipped a cross into the box towards Maupay.
Facing where the ball was coming from, with his back slightly towards the goal. Maupay controlled the quick ball with his right foot on the turn.
It bounced off his chest, and then as it bounced off the ground, he swivelled and fired a left-footed effort off the half volley and into the bottom corner.
FOOL: RHIAN BREWSTER (Sheff Utd)
Crystal Palace were close to being here after an abysmal performance at The Emirates. However, the young striker will be kicking himself for getting a red card. Especially in the 93rd minute.
His career has not taken off since his been at Sheff Utd, but he has been unlucky with injuries. So, getting some rare game time with 10 minutes to go, he would have wanted to make an impact.
With Sheff Utd in the bottom three, the last thing they needed was him diving in with a ridiculous two-footed tackle to get a straight red and now a ban. FOOL!
