TEAM: LIVERPOOL
In Arne Slot’s first game at Old Trafford, he couldn’t have wished for a better afternoon. Liverpool were comfortable from start to finish.
The biggest compliment is that they didn’t get out of second gear. They could and maybe should have easily scored more than the three goals they did.
Well done also to Bournemouth. Man City. Aston Villa. Brentford and Newcastle.
GOALKEEPER: DEAN HENDERSON (Crystal Palace)
He put in a man-of-the-match performance with several eye-catching saves to thwart Chelsea, who were in a rampant mood after scoring six last week.
However, they found Henderson in inspiring form, only beating him once, which allowed Palace to snatch an equaliser in the second half.
Shout out also to Brentford’s Flecken. Bournemouth’s Kepa, Liverpool’s Alisson. Wolves’ Johnstone and Brighton’s Verbruggen.
DEFENDER: IBRAHIMA KONATE (Liverpool)
This week did not have many outstanding defender performances, and to be fair, Konate was not outstanding himself but he didn’t have to be.
It was more about how he made everything look easy, was in control of every situation, never lost a duel or mistimed a tackle and not once did I see him unsure.
Well done also to his teammate Van Dijk. Arsenal duo Saliba & Calafiri. Villa duo Digne & Konsa. Brentford’s Collins. Fulham’s Robinson. Ipswich’s Greaves and Man City’s Gvardiol.
MIDFIELDER: AMADOU ONANA (Aston Villa)
With two man-of-the-match performances in three games, it’s fair to say Onana has started his Villa career better than most expected.
Not only did he open the scoring, but he was integral in everything Villa did well and is slowly becoming a talisman.
Shout out also to his teammate Tielemans. Liverpool’s Gravenberch. Chelsea’s Palmer. Palace duo Eze & Wharton. Man City trio Bernardo, De Bruyne & Lewis. Newcastle trio Joelinton, Murphy & Barnes. Southampton’s Sugawara.
Everton’s Ndiaye. Bournemouth trio Semenyo, Cook & Ouattara. Fulham’s Traore. Leicester’s Buonanotte. Brentford duo Janelt & Damsgaard. Forest duo Sangare & Anderson and Wolves’ duo Lemina & Bellegarde.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Man City)
This was an easy one and inevitable, back-to-back hat-tricks, another record with the most goals in the first three games in the Premier League.
All three goals were expertly taken with his left foot, showing three different finishes from a top-class striker.
Well done also to Liverpool duo Diaz & Salah. Chelsea’s Jackson. Newcastle’s Isak. Brentford duo Wissa & Mbeumo. Everton’s Calvert-Lewin.
Bournemouth duo Kluivert & Sinisterra. Arsenal’s Havertz. Ipswich’s Delap. Villa’s Duran. Forest’s Wood and Brighton’s Joao Pedro.
MANAGER: ANDONI IRAOLA (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth were heading for a 2-0 defeat at Everton, who looked comfortable with minutes to go. Before that, midway through the second half, Iraola had taken off a defender for an attacker.
Then, on 77 minutes, he removed another defender and changed the formation. He got his rewards and then some as they scored three goals in 10 minutes, the third on 90+7, for a miraculous, late, come-from-behind victory.
Shout out also to Liverpool’s Slot. Man City’s Guardiola and Villa’s Emery.
UNSUNG HERO: MO SALAH (Liverpool)
This was the most difficult decision this week, with several players worthy. However, I went with the Liverpool man, who is obviously not unsung but who I described as the most underrated, rated baller in the league.
Two assists, one with his right, one with his left. Plus, a goal in the dismantling of United at Old Trafford. He is now the highest away scorer at Old Trafford and continues to break/create goal involvement or scoring records each week.
Well done also to his teammates Diaz & Gravenberch. Palace’s Eze. Brentford’s Mbeumo. Ipswich’s Greaves. Bournemouth duo Semenyo & Sinisterra, also Man City’s Lewis.
GAME: EVERTON 2-3 BOURNEMOUTH
After Everton controlled the game in the first half without scoring, they took the lead in the second through Keane (50), then quickly doubled it with Calvert-Lewin (57)
Bournemouth made several subs, changed formation and pulled a late goal back through Semenyo (87), then equalised in stoppage time with Cook’s far post header (90+2).
But they weren’t done. After two Pickford saves, they got the winner with Sinisterra’s far post header for an amazing comeback victory to break Everton’s hearts (90+7).
GOAL: JEAN-RICNER BELLEGARDE (Wolves)
As both sets of players battled for the ball in midfield by the left touchline, the ball was hoof’s into the air by a Forest player.
The ball dropped fairly centrally and was touched forward by Lemina to Bellegarde, who turned, set himself and hit a thunderous effort, cutting across the ball, allowing it to swerve into the top right corner.
Shout out to Palace’s Eze and Ipswich’s Delap, who also scored good goals.
FOOL: EVERTON FC
Three weeks into the season, and the Toffees are finding new ways to be called fools. Scoring two goals in the second half and seemingly heading for a comfortable victory.
They allowed Bournemouth to score three in 10 minutes and two in stoppage time for a monumental collapse to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. FOOLS!
