TEAM: ARSENAL
In the North London derby. With their first-half blitz of three goals. Not only did they claim victory in arguably the hardest game in their run-in.
But they got one over their local rivals in their backyard to claim bragging rights and avoid any talk of derailing title hopes, to leave them top with three games to go.
Well done also to Man City. Bournemouth. Newcastle. Everton and Wolves.
GOALKEEPER: ARIJANET MURIC (Burnley)
He has received a lot of criticism recently due to some disastrous blunders, which is sad because aside from those mistakes, he has impressed.
At Old Trafford, he impressed once again with some thrilling saves to keep the score down to just one. Which eventually allowed his team to get a valuable away point.
Shout out also to Man Utd’s Onana. Forest’s Sels. Liverpool’s Alisson and Everton’s Pickford.
DEFENDER: JOSKO GVARDIOL (Man City)
Although City paid a lot of money for him, the pressure must have been immense to come into a treble-winning team.
However, he has fitted into the team seamlessly and recently has excelled with his tough tackling and eye for a goal. His opening at Forest made it three in his last six games.
Well done also to Everton foursome Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite & Young. Liverpool’s Robertson. Wolves duo Kilman & Toti. Burnley’s O’Shea.
Newcastle’s Burn. Sheff Utd’s Ahmedhodzic. Tottenaham’s Romero. Fulham’s Castagne. Palace’s Richards also, Bournemouth duo Ouattara & Senesi.
MIDFIELDER: IDRISSA GUEYE (Everton)
He has emerged recently as a talisman as they fought off a relegation threat.
He has been dominant in midfield, covering every blade of grass, winning the ball and scoring a valuable winner against Brentford to add to his goal last weekend.
Shout out also to his teammate McNeil. Villa duo Rodgers & McGinn. Wolves’ Gomes. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. Man Utd’s Antony. Burnley duo Odobert & Amdouni. Palace’s Schlupp. West Ham’s Bowen.
Man City’s De Bruyne. Arsenal’s Partey. Bournemouth trio Scott, Cook & Kluivert. Also, Chelsea duo Maduake & Gallagher, who were both close to winning this.
FORWARD: KAI HAVERTZ (Arsenal)
His form in the last third of the season has fully justified bringing him to the club. He has been something of an unsung hero, delivering goal involvements each week.
In the North London derby, he produced the all-important third goal that got them the three points, along with the assist for the second in a man-of-the-match performance.
Well done also to his teammate Saka. West Ham’s Antonio. Liverpool’s Diaz. Newcastle duo trio Isak, Wilson & Gordon. Wolves’s Hwang. Everton’s Chermiti. Fulham’s Muniz. Man City’s Haaland. Luton’s Morris and Bournemouth’s Unal.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
His recent decision-making has been justified by his team’s relentless charge to the title.
He has another North London derby win to his name, with a strong defensive unit and forwards scoring goals, not to mention the Havertz project that is working a treat.
Shout out also to Newcasle’s Howe. Man City’s Guardiola. Everton’s Dyche and Bournemouth’s Iraola.
UNSUNG HERO: MARCOS SENESI (Bournemouth)
This was probably the hardest decision this week. There were several deserving candidates. But in the end, I went with a player who has been close several times before.
The Bournemouth defender has really impressed me for several weeks, and it has largely gone unnoticed. He is a strong, no-nonsense tackler, who is good on the ball with an eye for a goal. His opening goal against Brighton was his fourth this season.
Well done also to Chelsea duo Maduake & Gallagher. Burnley’s Amdouni and Wolves’ Kilman.
GAME: ASTON VILLA 2-2 CHELSEA
Aston Villa scored early when Pau Torres threaded a ball inside the left channel for Digne. His low cutback found McGinn, whose side-footed shot came off Cucurella and in (4).
Jackson had a goal ruled out for a tight offside, then hit the post before Villa made it two. Cash found Rodgers, and his shot from just inside the box crept inside the near post (42).
In the second half, Chelsea pulled a goal back. Douglas Luiz was robbed by the right corner of the box. Palmer then found Gallagher who touched back for Madueke to guide a low, first-time finish into the far corner (62).
Chelsea then equalised when Gallagher, just outside the box on the right, curled a lovely left-footed effort into the top far corner (81). Chelsea then thought they won it in injury time, but Disasi’s header was ruled out for a foul by Badiashile.
There was also a good game at West Ham, who drew 2-2 with Liverpool and in the North London derby at Spurs, who lost 3-2 to Arsenal.
GOAL: JEFFREY SCHLUPP (Crystal Palace) vs Fulham
Wharton picked up the ball midway into the Fulham half and threaded a ball between two Fulham players and the ref for Schlupp.
About 20 yards from goal, Schlupp received the ball on the half-turn with his left foot, took a step and unleashed a thunderous drive that arrowed into the near top corner. Caressing the inside corner of the post as it slammed home.
There was also a good goal from Chelsea’s Gallagher against Aston Villa.
FOOL: SHEFF UTD
It was inevitable for a long time, but now it’s official. Sheff United are relegated, winning just three games this season, and they went out exactly how their season has been, getting smashed.
As it has been all season, although they scored a shock early goal at Newcastle, their resistance was nonexistent, and they shipped five goals to send them back to the Championship with record goals conceded. FOOLS
