TEAM: TOTTENHAM
The game at Villa was supposed to be a shootout between two teams fighting for that fourth Champions League spot. But it turned out to be a mismatch,
Even before Villa’s red card, Spurs were two up and giving Villa a lesson, which got worse as the game continued. It was a thrilling second-half display as they completed a comfortable and surprising 4-0 away victory.
Well done also to Chelsea. Arsenal. Wolves. Man Utd and Brighton.
GOALKEEPER: ANDRE ONANA (Man Utd)
It was hard to pick an outstanding keeper this week, so almost by default, the Man Utd man gets it.
He was one of only three keepers to get a clean sheet this week, but the one who worked the hardest for it. Everton had the better chances but just couldn’t beat the United keeper.
Shout out also to Liverpool’s Kelleher. Brighton’s Verbruggen. Luton’s Kaminski. Wolves’ Sa. Spurs Vicario. Everton’s Pickford and Man Utd’s Onana.
DEFENDER: VIRGIL VAN DIJK (Liverpool)
After his injury nightmare, it seems he is back to his very best. Rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Against City, he was alongside two teenagers, a No2 keeper and Gomez playing out of position. But he was a leader in every sense of the word, organising, leading by example, and locking down Haaland and co.
Well done also to his teammates Quansah & Gomez. Spurs duo Udogie & Romero. Brighton’s Dunk. Man Utd duo Dalot & Evans. Sheff Utd’s Robinson. Luton’s Burke. Palace’s Anderson. Wolves’ duo Ait Nouri & Kilman, also Arsenal’s White who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: COLE PALMER (Chelsea)
I may start naming him Cold Palmer to mimic his recent goal celebrations. All season, he has put in talismanic performances for Chelsea.
This was yet another, with an assist in the first half and a goal in the second to put his team ahead, which allowed them to go on and win the game. He is the heartbeat of this Chelsea team who comes alive whenever he gets the ball,
Shout out also to his teammates Caicedo and Mudryk. Spurs duo Sarr, Maddison & Johnson. Liverpool’s Endo & Mac Allister. Man City duo Stones & De Bruyne. Man Utd duo Garnacho & Fernandes. West Ham’s Paqueta. Everton’s McNeil.
Palace’s Eze. Brighton duo Gross & Balepa. Sheff Utd’s Hamer. Fulham’s Iwobi. Arsenal duo Rice & Odegaard. Luton’s Townsend. Newcastle’s Murphy and Bournemouth duo Unal also, Ouattara who was close to winning this.
FORWARD: HEUNG-MIN SON (Tottenham)
In the big, important games, big players stop up. For Spurs, there is no bigger player than their skipper.
They will be very happy he is back, playing well and scoring goals. In a crucial game for a Champions League spot, he delivered a goal and two assists.
Well done also to his teammate Werner. Arsenal’s Havertz. Brentford’s Wissa. Palace’s Mateta. Luton’s Woodrow. Burnley’s Fofana. West Ham’s Ings. Chelsea’s Jackson and Newcastle’s Isak.
MANAGER: ANGE POSTECOGLOU (Tottenham)
Following a good start to the season, injuries seriously derailed them, but they have been back on track recently, and this crucial game proved it.
It was an impressive display of attacking football, with high pressing, control, and discipline, in a statement win to put them in pole position for a Champions League spot.
Shout out also to Arsenal’s Arteta. Wolves’ O’Neil and Chelsea’s Pochettino.
UNSUNG HERO: KAI HAVERTZ (Arsenal)
Eyebrows were raised at his £60m transfer fee. However, he is slowly making that price tag look worth it.
His vital late, winning goal against Brentford put his team on top and could go a long way to their title aspirations. That goal made it four goals in his last four league games.
Well done also to his teammates Rice & White. Bournemouth’s Ouattara. Wolves’ Ait Nouri and Liverpool’s Gomez.
GAME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 MAN CITY
Although it was a game that only had two set-piece goals, it was a game that had almost everything.
Man City started the game the better, but after Liverpool came back into it, they scored against the run of play when De Bruyne’s corner from the right, was driven in low for Stones, who read it and got to the near post to side foot home under Kelleher (23).
In the second half, Liverpool got an early equaliser when Nunez pounced on Ake’s poor back pass to get the ball ahead of Ederson, who took him out. Mac Allister, after a long wait, made no mistake from the spot (50).
In a thrilling second half, Liverpool had several chances to win the game, City hit the bar and then the post. Liverpool had another penalty shout in the dying seconds, but the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
There were also good games at West Ham, who drew 2-2 with Burnley. At Bournemouth, who drew 2-2 with Sheff Utd. Also, at Chelsea, where they beat Newcastle 3-2.
GOAL: DAVID FOFANA (Burnley) vs West Ham
Fofana collected the ball side-on midway into the West Ham half. He turned and tried to thread a ball through for his teammate. However, the pass was blocked but came back to him.
Using quick thinking, with three West Ham players around him, he quickly touched it past them and ran onto the ball. Then. from about 25 yards out, hit a first-time, ferocious effort that arrowed into the near top corner.
FOOL: JOHN MCGINN (Aston Villa)
Although his team were already losing and probably heading for defeat, as the captain and the leader, you would expect much better.
There was no excuse for losing his head with a reckless challenge to get a deserved straight red. In football, you never know, and it is never over. Not only could they have staged a late comeback, but at a crucial time in the season, he has an unnecessary and avoidable three-game ban. FOOL!
