TEAM: LIVERPOOL
After rescuing a point midweek, they went to The Etihad, where they have not won since 2016.
Although with a bit of pressure off due to results going their way, they put in a comfortable and efficient performance at the champions without even getting out of second gear.
Well done to West Ham. Crystal Palace. Brentford. Southampton. Tottenham. Aston Villa and Newcastle.
GOALKEEPER: KEPA (Bournemouth)
Unfortunately, it was a losing effort, but it wasn’t for the want of trying as Bournemouth were down to ten men as early as the 31st minute.
Wolves more than took advantage of this and dominated the game with several shots on goal, however, the Bournemouth keeper did his best to keep Wolves out and only conceded from a Cunha effort a few yards out.
Shout out to Liverpool’s Alisson, Aston Villa’s Martinez and Southampton’s Ramsdale.
DEFENDER: MAXENCE LACROIX (Crystal Palace)
Although it was a team effort, he was the main component in that team effort that put a brick wall up at Craven Cottage to earn a clean sheet and victory.
He was a factor at both ends of the pitch as his challenge forced the own goal for the opener but it was at the back where he excelled as Palace restricted Fulham to no shots on goal.
Well done to his teammates Richards & Guehi. Liverpool duo Van Dijk & Konate. West Ham duo Cresswell & Kilman. Brighton duo Hinshelwood & Van Hecke.
Spurs duo Spence & Danso. Villa’s Konsa. Brentford duo Collins & Lewis-Potter. Newcastle’s Hall. Forest’s Milenkovic.
MIDFIELDER: DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI (Liverpool)
In recent weeks and months, he has become a vital component in the midfield with his endless running and pressing. Now he is adding goals and assists to his game.
His lovely assist from a corner routine to set up Salah was sublime, Then sealed the win with a neat finish from his left foot just outside the box. At the end of the game, he physically slumped to the ground to show just how much work and effort he put in.
Shout out to Spurs duo Johnson & Kulusevski. Brentford’s Damsgaard. West Ham duo Wan-Bissaka & Scarles. Palace duo Munoz & Hughes. Newcastle’s Miley.
Everton’s Doucoure. Man Utd duo Fernandez & Ugarte. Villa’s Rashford and Forest duo Hudson-Odoi & Yates.
FORWARD: MO SALAH (Liverpool)
He got a goal and an assist in midweek, then followed it up with another goal and assist at the weekend against Man City. To become the first player in Premier League history to score 25+ goals and have 15+ assists.
He is the first player in the Premier League to get 40+ GA in two different seasons and has scored and assisted in eleven games this season the most by any player in a single season.
Well done to West Ham duo Bowen & Kudus. Villa’s Asensio. Newcastle’s Isak. Brighton trio Mitoma, Joao Pedro & Rutter.
Brentford duo Wissa & Mbeumo. Wolves’s Cunha. Spurs’s Son. Palace’s Mateta. Everton’s Beto.
MANAGER: ARNE SLOT (Liverpool)
Although there were several candidates for this, I had to give it to the Liverpool manager who set his team up slightly differently with no number nine.
But it worked to perfection, with Jones & Szoboszlai in the middle pressing and making runs with Salah and Diaz creating space from the wings. It was a lovely blend of attack when needed and defence when necessary to go 11 points clear at the top.
Shout out to David Moyes. Thomas Frank. Fabian Hurzeler. Oliver Glasner. Ange Postcoglou and Unai Emery.
UNSUNG HERO: AARON WAN-BISSAKA (West Ham)
Playing in a slightly unfamiliar wing-back role, he really excelled and enjoyed himself down the right side at Arsenal.
Not only did he help lockdown Arsenal’s left side, but he seemed to be the main attacking outlet with lung-bursting runs and a lovely cross to set up the winning goal.
Well done to Tottenham’s Spence. Villa’s Asensio. Brentford’s Damsgaard and Newcastles’ Miley.
GAME: NEWCASTLE 4-3 NOTTS FOREST
Forest took an early lead through Hudson-Odoi’s effort from outside the box (6). But Newcastle equalised through Miley’s lovely touch and left-footed effort, (23).
It was soon two when Murphy bundled the ball over the line (25). Then Isak got two in two minutes with a penalty (33) and a deflected effort (34) all before halftime.
In the second half, Newcastle hit the bar before Forest pulled a goal back from Milenkovic’s Flick (68). Then got a third when Yates swept in from inside the six-yard box (90).
There was also a good game at Goodison as Everton drew 2-2 with Man Utd.
GOAL: DANIEL MUNOZ (Crystal Palace) vs Fulham
Mateta picked up the ball on the edge of Palace’s box and marauded forward, beating two players in his half before spreading the ball right for Munoz.
He then continued into the Fulham box on the right. Faced Bassy up, faked to pass inside, but jinxed back outside the rifled and thunderous effort into the roof of the net.
There was also a good goal from Man Utd’s Ugarte
FOOL: ARSENAL
There is no denying that not making a signing in January was a critical mistake. However, even after losing four forwards. At home, they still should have enough to beat West Ham.
But with an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table, they crumbled under the pressure, with one of their worst performances of the season. They started the weekend with a possibility of closing the gap to five points but ended it eleven points behind Liverpool. FOOLS!
