TEAM: BRIGHTON
The Seagulls looked dead and buried in the first half after going two goals down.
However, they came flying out the traps in the second half, scoring within three minutes, then a further two goals within 20 minutes and were strong at the back to hold out for an impressive come-from-behind win.
Well done also to Brentford. West Ham. Liverpool. Arsenal. Leicester and Man City.
GOALKEEPER: MATZ SELS (Nottingham Forest)
It was touch and go between the two keepers in the same game, but after going a man down, The Forest keeper’s performance earned him the man of the match award.
After being beaten once, Chelsea peppered his goal, especially with a man extra, but he made several top saves to thwart Chelsea and earn his team a good away point.
Shout out also to Liverpool’s Alisson. Man City’s Ederson. Everton’s Pickford and Chelsea’s Sanchez were both close to winning this.
DEFENDER: JONNY EVANS (Man Utd)
At the mature age of 36, he was the unlikely hero with a timely, stern and solid away performance.
Due to their recent form, nobody expected Man Utd to get something at Villa, but the big-name signings were out, and they called on the wily old pro to get a much-needed away point.
Well done also to Liverpool duo Konate & Van Dijk. Brentford duo Collins & Pinnock. Forest’s Murillo. Arsenal’s Partey. Leicester duo Justin & Faes. Everton’s Garner also Newcastle’s Burn.
MIDFIELDER: MATEO KOVACIC (Man City)
No Rodri, no De Bruyne, no problem. It was almost like he filled both spots against Fulham.
Not only did he play that holding role he backed up play to perfection, arriving late to score two important goals, to equalise and to go ahead.
Shout out also to his teammate Doku. Chelsea’s Madueke. West Ham trio Bowen, Paqueta & Kudus. Fulham’s Pereira. Leicester’s Buonanotte.
Brentford duo Norgaard & Damsdgaard, Brighton duo Minteh & Mitoma. Arsenal’s Havertz. Liverpool’s Gravenberch and Spurs duo Johnson & Maddison.
FORWARD: BAKAYO SAKA (Arsenal)
He was integral in everything Arsenal did well throughout the game and was full of attacking flair.
He assisted the first two goals to equalise and take the lead, then wrapped the game up with a right-footed finish to cap off a man-of-the-match performance.
Well done also to his teammate Martinelli. Brighton duo Rutter & Welbeck. Liverpool duo Gakpo & Jota. Brentford’s Mbeumo. West Ham’s Antonio. Fulham duo Jimenez & Muniz. Forest’s Wood. Wolves duo Cunha & Larsen. Ipswich’s Delap and Southampton’s Archer.
MANAGER: FABIAN HURZELER (Brighton)
Whatever he said to his team at half time it certainly worked. Brighton looked like they were heading for a certain victory at halftime.
But they made a miraculous turnaround in the second half, scored within three minutes, and were ahead after 23 minutes, then held onto the lead for a superb victory.
Shout out also to Brentford’s Frank. Liverpool’s Slot and West Ham’s Lopetegui. Arsenal’s Arteta and Leicester’s Cooper.
UNSUNG HERO: KAI HAVERTZ (Arsenal)
After Southampton took a shock lead in the second half, it took Arsenal just three minutes to get back on level terms.
His quick response with a well-taken finish proved important as the Gunners went on to take the lead 10 minutes later and win the game with a third. That made it five goals in five home games for the German, who continues to prove the doubters wrong.
Well done also to Leicester’s Justin. Liverpool’s Gravenberch. Chelsea’s Sanchez and Brighton’s Mitoma.
GAME: BRIGHTON 3-2 TOTTENHAM
Spurs raced into a two-goal lead in the first half through Johnson, scoring in his sixth game in a row (23), then Maddison (38).
However, in the second half, Brighton turned it around. They pulled a goal back through Minteh after Udogie’s mistake (48). Then Rutter fired in the equaliser (58) before Welbeck headed in what proved to be the winner in a superb comeback victory (66).
There was also a good game at Brentford, who beat Wolves 5-3. At Man City, who beat Fulham 3-2 and at Chelsea, who drew 1-1 with Forest.
GOAL: FACUNDO BUONANOTTE (Leicester) vs Bournemouth
The Leicester winger picked up the ball by the right touchline midway in the Bournemouth half and played a one, two with Justin down the line.
He then ran towards the box and faced up with a defender. He fainted one way then the other, cut inside onto his left foot and rifled an effort into the roof of the net.
There was also a good goal this week from Man City’s Doku.
FOOL: TOTTENHAM
After a superb away win at Old Trafford last week, Spurs somehow managed to throw away a two-goal lead with a monumental second-half capitulation.
Brighton scored all three goals by the 66th minute. So Spurs still had time to come back, but had nothing in the second half and demonstrated exactly why the word “Spursy” was created and remains alive and well. FOOLS!
