TEAM: NOTTS FOREST
In a big game in the fight for a Champions League spot, Forest took a big step towards a historic season with a win over the champions.
Although Man City’s form has been erratic this season, they are still a formidable side. Forest dealt with them with efficiency, defending stoutly and then getting that important late goal for a superb victory.
Well done to Aston Villa. Brighton. Crystal Palace. Newcastle. Liverpool and Chelsea.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID RAYA (Arsenal)
Aside from his indiscretions for Man Utd’s free kick goal, he was superb and arguably kept Arsenal from losing the game.
He then made up for the free kick he conceded with three world-class saves, leaving Man Utd wondering how they did not double their lead.
Shout out to Villa’s Olsen. Spurs’ Vicario. Leicester’s Hermansen. West Ham’s Areola and Palace’s Henderson, who was close to winning this.
DEFENDER: AXEL DESASI (Aston Villa)
It was somewhat of a surprise Villa taking him on loan from Chelsea in January but it’s looking like a good bit of business as he has excelled.
Brentford are going through a bad run at home but has been scoring and has not lost many. But he locked down the Brentford forwards with one of his best-ever performances to help his team to a good 1-0 away win.
Well done to his teammates Konsa, Mings & Dinge. Forest foursome Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo & Williams. Brighton’s Van Hecke. Palace duo Richards & Lacroix,
Bournemouth’s duo Huijsen & Kerkez. Brentford’s Lewis-Potter, Everton’s Tarkowski, Spurs’s Spence and Chelsea duo Fofana, also Cucurella, who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI (Notts Forest)
It was a hard decision as there weren’t many outstanding performances, though we had some stand-out ones.
However, the Forest midfielder was a threat all afternoon and eventually, his direct running and finish sealed the win. This season, he has scored a winner against Man City & Liverpool.
Shout out to his teammates Dominguez & Gibbs-White. Man Utd’s Fernandez. Palace duo Sarr & Lerma. Arsenal’s Rice. Everton’s Harrison. Wolves’ Munetsi.
Bournemouth duo Tavernier & Kluivert. Spurs’ Sarr. Chelsea duo Caceido & Fernandez. Villa’s Tielemans. Newcastle’s Guimaraes. Fulham’s Iwobi.
FORWARD: DARWIN NUNEZ (Liverpool)
In his first start in a month and no goal in two months, he needed something to go for him, but there was no doubting his desire from the first whistle.
After a lacklustre first half, he got the important equaliser, stealing in at the near post to touch home. Then, under a minute later, he caused chaos in the box to win the penalty, to turn an embarrassing losing position into a winning one.
Well done to his teammate Diaz. Villa’s Watkins. Brighton’s Joao Pedro. Fulham’s Jimenez. Bournemouth’s Evanilson. West Ham’s Kudus and Spurs’s Son.
MANAGER: NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO (Notts Forest)
After this historic win over the champions, there is a case for him being manager of the year. He has taken a team most, including me tipped for a relegation fight.
To be well in the hunt to quality for the Champions League. He has recorded wins over the champions Man City and the champions-elect in Liverpool and are sitting pretty in third.
Shout out also to Villa’s Emery. Brighton’s Hurzeler. Palace’s Glasner & Liverpool’s Slot.
UNSUNG HERO: MARC CUCURELLA (Chelsea)
With Cole Palmer’s poor form, Chelsea has been desperate for a talisman and in recent weeks it has come in the most unlikeliest of forms.
The fullback has been arguably Chelsea’s most consistent performer in recent weeks and when they needed something, not only was he solid at the back, but he pulled off a worldie of a strike to earn three valuable points in their charge for a Champions League spot.
Well done also to Bournemouth’s Kerkez. Arsenal’s Rice and Liverpool’s Diaz.
GAME: TOTTENHAM 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth took an early lead from a lovely worked goal as Kerkez crossed for Tavernier to finish first time (42). They made it two from another well-worked goal as Kluivert slipped in Evanilson, who neatly dinked over the keeper (65).
However, Spurs got an instant reply when Sarr’s cross-come shot deceived Kepa and sailed over him into the net (67). They then equalised from the spot when Kepa came rushing out to foul Son, who made no mistake from the spot, with a cheeky low panenka.
GOAL: JAMES TAVERNIER (Bournemouth) vs Tottenham
Kerkez cut out a pass down by the left touchline and galloped forward down the wing. As he got into the Spurs half, he looked up and whipped a superb ball to the back post.
As the ball came down, Tavernier came sliding in to connect first time, to expertly slide the ball into the bottom far post.
FOOL: KEPA (Bournemouth)
With Bournemouth cruising two goals up at Spurs, he misjudged Sarr’s cross from way out on the right to allow the ball to sail over him and off the post into the net.
If that wasn’t bad enough, with just minutes to go, he rushed out to the right of his box to foul Son, giving away a penalty, which Son dispatched with a modestly executed panenka, that Kepa could have saved had he just stood up. FOOL!
