TEAM: CHELSEA
There were a few very worthy candidates for this, however, I went with Chelsea who could be sending a sign out to the league that they could click this season.
After Wolves pegged them back twice in the first half, they put them to the sword in the second with some blistering link-up play and clinical finishing to notch four more.
Shout out also to Arsenal who were close to winning this. Brighton. Tottenham. Man City. West Ham. Liverpool. Notts Forest and Fulham.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID RAYA (Arsenal)
Two weeks in a row now he is the standout keeper, consolidating the decisions made by his manager as the club’s no1.
Mainly for the tremendous reflex save to stop Watkins’ header when he was destined to score. But he also made one other good save to preserve a clean sheet and help his team go on to earn a vital away win.
Shout out also to Southampton’s McCarthy. Brentford’s Flekken and Bournemouth’s Neto.
DEFENDER: CRISTIAN ROMERO (Tottenham)
Although Everton was extremely poor, the Spurs defender demonstrated how could he can be, at both ends of the pitch when he plays with maturity and discipline.
Not only did he welcome the physical battle with Calvert-Lewin and easily dealt with it. He was a constant threat in front of goal and eventually scored with a great header.
Well done also to his teammate Van de Ven. Arsenal’s Saliba. Liverpool duo Robertson & Konate. Fulham’s Robinson. Leicester’s Faoes, also, West Ham duo Kilman & Wan-Bissaka.
MIDFIELDER: NONI MADUEKE (Chelsea)
After his social media post, he was getting boo’s all game, but this must have motivated him as he was on it from the start and got his rewards in the second half.
After a pulsating first half, it was the Madueke show. Fortunate with a deflected first, he notched a second with his right foot. He then secured the hat-trick with another right-footed finish.
Shout out to his teammate Palmer. Arsenal’s Partey. Spurs’ Bissouma. Forest duo Gibbs-White & Elanga. Man City duo De Bruyne & Doku. Liverpools Gravenberch. Fulham do Smith Rowe & Iwobi.
West Ham duo Bowen & Soucek. Brighton’s Milner. Newcastle’s Barnes also, Bournemouth duo Semenyo and Tavernier.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Man City)
New season, same old Erling. Another hat trick to his name, Ipswich the victims, with a penalty and two good finishes.
It’s his 23rd career hat-trick. His seventh in the Premier League, which already puts him seventh on the all-time list and with these three he makes it 67 goals in 68 games.
Well done also to Liverpool duo Salah & Diaz. Spurs’ Son. Brighton duo Welbeck & Pedro. Chelsea duo Jackson & Joao Felix. Wolves duo Cunha & Larson. Also, Newcastle’s Gordon.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
Once again there were some good options but although he had to ride his luck, I went with the Arsenal man who avenged his two losses to Villa last season.
Credit to his keeper for the score being at zero. However, with the scores level, he put on Trossard who scored with his first touch of the game. From then on Arsenal dominated, and got the second to secure the win.
Shout out also, to Chelsea’s Meresca, Tottenham’s Postecoglou and Brighton’s Hurzeler.
UNSUNG HERO: COLE PALMER (Chelsea)
Not unsung, but deserved to be awarded as he’s picked up where he left off last season. Not only scoring goals but being Chelsea’s main man in all aspects.
After scoring a lovely goal in the first half, he became the provider in the second with a hat-trick of assists, as Chelsea ran away with the game.
Well done also to Fulham’s Iwobi. Spurs Son. Brighton duo Welbeck & Milner, Bournemouth’s Semenyo also Arsenal’s Saliba.
GAME: BRIGHTON 2-1 MAN UTD
Brighton took the lead when Mitoma squared across the six-yard box from the left, for Welbeck to slide in on the stretch and touch home (32).
In the second half, Welbeck hit the bar before Man Utd equalised when Amad cut inside from the right and his shot was deflected in (60). United thought they took the lead through Garnacho but was ruled offside as Zirkzee touched in on the line.
Brighton won it very late when Adingra dinked a ball to the far post for Joao Pedro to head home (90+5).
There was also a good game and plenty of goals at Moulinex as Chelsea thumped Wolves 6-2.
GOAL: YVES BISSOUMA (Tottenham) vs Everton
Maddison found Kulusevski just inside the box on the right. He turned right, then left through some players, trying to create space, then rolled the ball to the edge of the box where Bissouma was lurking.
He ran onto the ball and unleashed a thunderous, first-time, side-footed effort, that slammed in off the underside of the bar, giving Pickford no chance.
FOOL: EVERTON FC
Ref David Coote and VAR Simon Hooper had a nightmare disallowing Bournemouth’s late goal vs Newcastle. Also, Wolves capitulated in the second half at home to Villa.
However, it’s two games and two crushing defeats for the Merseysiders. Getting thumped at Spurs, offering little resistance at the back, while getting dominated up front tells you they are in for another long season if they don’t fix up. FOOLS!
