TEAM: LIVERPOOL
Although they had the benefit of two games this week. It could have been a hindrance if they slipped in one of them.
But just one of their games would have put them in the running for this. However, back-to-back 4-1 victories sees them open up a four point gap at the top heading into a cup final.
Well done also to Arsenal. Aston Villa. Brighton. Man Utd. Notts Forest. Man City and Wolves who was close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: ALPHONSE AREOLA (West Ham)
Almost by default as he was beaten twice in the game. However, it could have been much worse for West Ham if it weren’t for him.
West Ham are struggling, and Forest were literally all over them. He did the best he could in the circumstances, with all the chances Forest had, where they only sealed the game with a stoppage time second goal.
Shout out also to Luton’s Kaminski. Newcastle’s Dubravka. Spurs’ Vicario. Brentford’s Flekken and Liverpool’s Kelleher.
DEFENDER: AXEL DISASI (Chelsea)
It was really unfortunate that his performance did not result in an inspiring win for Chelsea.
However, although City snatched a point, he put in one of the most dominant defensive performances against this city team you may probably see this season, and with the absence of Thiago Silva, his step up is timely.
Well done also to his teammates Gusto & Colwill. Man City duo Walker & Akanji. Man Utd’s Evens. Liverpool duo Van Dijk & Bradley. Villa’s Langlet. Brighton’s Van Hecke. Forest duo Williams & Murillo and Wolves duo Dawson & Toti.
MIDFIELDER: JOAO GOMES (Wolves)
His first goals of the season could not have come at a better moment. Goals either side of the half was good enough to sink Spurs in an impressive away win.
Both goals were taken with a confidence that makes it puzzling these were his first of the season. But regardless, they were tidy finishes for an inspiring away win.
Shout out also to Everton’s Onana. Brighton duo Gross & Buonanotte. Man Utd’s Mainoo. Luton’s Ogbene. Arsenal trio Odegaard, Rice & Havertz. Newcastle duo Guimaraes & Ritchie. Bournemouth’s Christie. Forest’s Gibbs-White. Spurs Kulusevski. and Liverpool’s Mac Allister who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: RASMUS HOJLUND (Man Utd)
After a not so convincing start to his Man Utd and Premier League career, he is not finding his feet and showing what all the fuss is about.
His two goals at Luton, the first a gift, the second a sublime chest finish, won the game. That made it six games in a row in which he has scored. At just 21, he is now the youngest player in the league to do that.
Well done also to Villa’s Watkins. Arsenal duo Saka & Trossard. Brighton trio Mitoma, Welbeck & Adingra. Chelsea’s Sterling. Forest’s Awoniyi. Newcastle’s Gordon.
Bournemouth duo Solanke & Semenyo. Fulham’s Muniz. Liverpool’ Gakpo, also Nunez, Salah & Diaz. Wolves’ duo Sarabia & Neto. Brentford’s Toney. Luton’s Morris. Palace’s Ayew and Man City’s Haaland.
MANAGER: JURGEN KLOPP (Liverpool)
With a crippling injury list and games coming thick and fast. Both the games this week were potential banana skins given the circumstances.
However, at Brentford, a place Liverpool have never done well in the league, they strolled to a comfortable victory. Then with more injuries, they invited Luton who led at half time. But a second half blitz made it back-to-back 4-1 wins and a four point lead at the top.
Shout out also to Arsenal’s Arteta. Forest’s Espirito Santo. Man Utd’s Ten Haag and Wolves’ O’Neil who was very close to winning this.
UNSUNG HERO: ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER (Liverpool)
It feels he is really finding his feet and playing his best football at Liverpool. No doubt help but he recent change in position moving further forward.
However, with players dropping like flies all around him. He has crucially stayed fit and maintained his form to turn in a goal and two assists in the two games this week.
Well done also to his teammate Bradley. Newcastle’s Ritchie. Brighton’s Adingra. Fulham’s Munez and Chelsea’s Gusto.
GAME: NEWCASTLE 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth had two first half chances with Solanke that was well saved by Dubravka. Then the game came to life in the second half when Solanke pounced on Dubravka’s slip from a back pass to tap into an empty net (51).
Newcastle equalised when VAR saw Smith drag Schar down in the box and Gordon made no mistake from the spot (58).
Bournemouth went back when Semenyo picked up the ball on the right, ran at Burn and from the edge of the box lashed a powerful low effort into the bottom corner (69).
However, in stoppage time, Newcastle managed to save a point when Guimaraes put a ball into the box for Ritchie. His header bounced off the defender, off the goalkeeper and fell invitingly at his feet to slam home from a yard out (90+2).
GOAL: DARWIN NUNEZ (Liverpool) vs Brentford
Following a Brentford free kick. The ball bounced in Liverpool’s box which was clear high up field by Van Dijk.
As the ball came down just inside the Brentford half, Jota did very well to judge the ball while tussling with a defender, and flick on for Nunez who was running through the middle.
With no opposition player near him. Nunez ran down on goal and as Flekken came out to narrow the angle, he executed a lovely chip, to dink the ball over the keeper and in.
FOOL: MASON HOLGATE (Sheff Utd)
West Ham’s Phillips was really luck not to be here for his disastrous red card. However, Holgate was brought into the club on loan to hopefully bring some experience and help in defence to fight their dwindling relegation hopes.
Instead, in just his third game for the club, his rash and reckless mistimed tackle in just the 13th minute saw him receive a justified red card. Leaving his teammates to get destroyed once again at home in a 5-0 drubbing. FOOL.
