TEAM: ARSENAL
This was an extremely tough decision, as there were several impressive performances this week. However, my traditional rule of a good away win trumps most.
I went with how Arsenal brushed West Ham aside in the first half with a five-goal blitz. Then, in the second half, they showed defensive qualities to shut up shop for a comfortable victory.
Well done also to Liverpool. Bournemouth. Man Utd. Chelsea. Brentford and Notts Forest.
GOALKEEPER: FRASER FORSTER (Tottenham)
As the backup keeper, after a convincing away win at Man City, he wasn’t expecting to be so busy this week.
However, not only was he busy, but as the backup keeper, he had to put in a man-of-the-match performance to win his team a point, as Fulham were the better team and deserved the three points.
Shout out also to Liverpool’s Kelleher. Forest’s Sels. Ipswich’s Muric. Southampton’s Lumley. Fulham’s Leno, also Chelsea’s Sanchez, who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: VIRGIL VAN DIJK (Liverpool)
Though there were several defenders who claimed a clean sheet, one complacency slip aside, he was assured and in control the whole time.
Ironically, one of only two City shots on goal came from his mistake, but other than that, he didn’t give Man City a sniff, as they strolled to a comfortable home victory.
Well done also to his teammates, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, and Robertson. Arsenal’s Gabriel. Bournemouth’s Kerkez. West Ham’s Wan-Bissaka. Fulham’s Robinson.
Forest foursome Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo & Williams. Brentford duo Collins & Lewis-Potter. Man Utd’s trio De Ligt, Mazraoui & Martinez and Chelsea’s Caicedo.
MIDFIELDER: JUSTIN KLUIVERT (Bournemouth)
You can argue this decision, as although he notched a hat-trick, all three of his goals come from the penalty spot and he didn’t win any.
However, credited it’s a great opportunity, the mental strength it must have taken to despatch all three penalties so coolly when we have seen high profile players miss them, was something that cannot be understated.
Shout out also to his teammate Tavernier. Southampton duo Dibling & Downes. Brighton’s Mitoma. Arsenal duo Odegaard & Rice. Liverpool duo Gravenberch & Szoboszlai.
Man Utd duo Amad & Fernandez. Chelsea trio Lavia, Fernandez & Palmer. Palace duo Munoz & Sarr. Fulham’s Iwobi and Brentford’s Damsgaard.
FORWARD: KEVIN SCHADE (Brentford)
Some may say it was only Leicester, but scoring your first hat-trick in the Premier League is not to be taken lightly.
There were three assured finishes to help his team to three points, in particular, the second with a delightful dink.
Well done also to his teammate Wissa. Liverpool trio Salah, Diaz & Gakpo. Arsenal trio Saka, Trossard & Havertz. Man Utd duo Rashford & Zirkzee.
Forest’s Wood. Wolves’ Larsen. Leicester’s Buonanotte. Tottenham’s Johnson. Chelsea’s Jackson and Bournemouth’s Evanilson.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
Once again, this was a difficult one to choose as some managers did deserve this for their performances.
However, Arsenal look in top form and the way they brushed West Ham aside once again away, with the likes of Saka, Odegaard, Gabriel, Havertz and Rice at the top of their game the manager deserves his credit.
Shout out also to Man Utd’s Amorim. Liverpool’s Slot. Chelsea’s Maresca. Bournemouth’s Iraola and Brentford’s Frank.
UNSUNG HERO: AMAD (Man Utd)
In another category where several were in the running, but I went with the Man Utd man who is starting to look like a talisman in the right wing back position.
He was involved in all four of Man Utd’s goals. showing energy in the press, anticipation, awareness, tenacity, and good decision making to make the right pass at the right time.
Well done also to Arsenal duo Saka & Gabriel. Southampton’s Dibling, Liverpool’s Gomez. Chelsea’s Sanchez and Forest’s Wood.
GAME: WOLVES 2-4 BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth raced into an early lead when Evanilson was fouled in the box, and Kluivert made no mistake from the spot (3). Wolves then equalised through Larsen’s pinpoint header (5).
Bournemouth took the lead soon when Kerkez rifled in from an acute angle on the left (8). It was then three when Sa fouled Evanilson, and Kluivert got his second from the spot (18).
Wolves pulled a goal back in the second half through Larsen’s powerful strike (69). But Bournemouth sealed the points when Sa fouled Evanilson for a second time, and Kluivert completed a hat-trick of penalties (74).
GOAL: MILOS KERKEZ (Bournemouth) vs Wolves
The move started just inside the Wolves’ half between Adams and Christie, who then turned his man and let the ball run to Evanilson, who rolled the ball behind him, back to Christie.
Christie then played the ball square to Tavernier on the edge of the box. He waited for the left back’s run outside him and slipped the ball line for Kerkez to run onto and thunder an effort into the near top corner.
There were also good goals from West Ham’s Emerson and Chelsea’s Palmer.
FOOL: EVERTON FC
Several were in the running for this, but I went with the Merseysiders. They are without a win in five games, with two losses and three draws.
But what is more alarming is they have now failed to score in their last four. The drubbing at Man Utd made it six league games they have not scored in, and with form like this, they have to concede that they are in for another relegation battle. FOOLS
