TEAM: FULHAM
It was a close game this week, but I went with the West Londoners, who last week lost at home to Everton, and went to Brentford, who were on a four-game winning streak.
After Brentford took a 2-1 lead at halftime, you expected them to go and get their fifth win. However, Fulham surprisingly rallied to score two goals in two second-half minutes to win the game.
Well done to Notts Forest. Brighton. Crystal Palace. Man City. Arsenal. Aston Villa. Chelsea. Leicester and Everton.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID RAYA (Arsenal)
He put in one of his best performances in the first half, at least to thwart Newcastle with several stunning saves.
In the first 3o minutes, Newcastle threatened to run away with it as they carved Arsenal open, but they couldn’t get past Raya, who somehow kept a clean sheet and allowed his team to go on and get the winner to secure second place.
Well done to Forest’s Sels. Fulham’s Leno and Liverpool’s Alisson.
DEFENDER: NICOLA MILENKOVIC (Notts Forest)
He has been quietly solid all season and even an unsung hero in their monumental season, but he has also weighed in with a few important goals.
After going four games without a win, both his defensive and attacking qualities were on show as he defended well and then scored an important and much-needed winner, which could see Forest playing in Europe next season.
Well done to his teammate Williams. Villa’s Konsa. Chelsea duo James & Cucurella. Everton duo Mykolenko and O’Brien. Leicester duo Justin & Coady.
Arsenal duo Kiwior and Lewis-Skelly. Brighton’s Estupinan, Wieffer and Van Hecke. Palace’s Richards. Wolves’ Agbadou. Brentford’s Kayode and Man City’s Gvardiol.
MIDFIELDER: DECLAN RICE (Arsenal)
If there was a person in the Arsenal side who deserved to pick up a trophy at the end of the season, then it would be him.
He has run tirelessly, put in endless challenges, driven his team forward, and, on a few occasions scored goals, just like he did this week to whip in the winner against Newcastle to secure second place in the league.
Well done Aston Villa duo, Kamara & McGinn. Chelsea’s Caicedo. Everton duo McNeil & Gueye. Man City’s B.Silva. Forest’s Gibbs-White. Fulham duo Cairney & Wilson.
Brighton duo Mitoma & Ayari. Liverpool duo Gravenberch & Szoboszlai. Leicester trio McAteer, Ndidi and El Khannouss. Palace duo Eze, Chilwell & Sarr.
FORWARD: ILIMAN NDIAYE (Everton)
In Everton’s last-ever game at Goodison, he made sure to write his name in the history books with two well taken goals to send the fans away smiling.
His first was a lovely take and clinical finish, which set Everton on their way, then he sealed the game as he rounded the keeper to make it two before halftime.
Well done to Palace’s Nketiah. Fulham’s Jimenez. Leicester’s Vardy. Brentford duo Mbeumo & Wissa. Wolves’ Larsen. West Ham’s Bowen and Man City’s Marmoush.
MANAGER: NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO (Notts Forest)
Although they’ve had a brilliant, the heat was on after four games without a win. Forest saw themselves go from a potential Champions League place to being out of the European places altogether.
A win was desperately needed, and Forest was sent out by Nuno with a spirit and determination and most of all played like they believed, to put in a professional away performance to win the game and leave it in their own hands on the last day of the season.
Shout out to Fulham’s Silva. Brighton’s Hurzeler. Man City’s Guardiola. Everton’s Moyes. Palace’s Glasner. Arsenal’s Arteta and Leicester’s Van Nistelrooy.
UNSUNG HERO: JAMIE VARDY (Leicester)
Ever since he announced he would be leaving Leicester, he has scored two and assisted one in his last three games.
His goal against Ipswich, a typical clinical finish was his 200th in his 500th game, a fitting way to go out for such a monumental career where he has defied the odds and way out in front for goals scored in the Premier League after turning 30.
Well done to Brighton duo Ayari and Hinshelwood. Chelsea duo Caicedo & Cucurella. Fulham duo Cairney & Wilson. Palace’s Nketiah and Forest’s Giibbs-White.
GAME: BRENTFORD 2-3 FULHAM
Fulham took a surprise early lead early, through Jimenez’s header (16). However, Brentford equalised when Wissa fed Mbeumo for a clinical finish (22).
Mbeumo then missed a penalty (28), but Brentford then took the lead from Wissa, who tapped in on the line after Norgaard nodded across, following a long throw (43).
In the second half, Fulham equalised when Cairney nodded home from a deflected cross (68). Two minutes later, Fulham won the game when Wilson curled a lovely effort in from outside the box (70).
There was also a good game at Brighton, who came back twice to beat Liverpool 3-2.
GOAL: OMAR MARMOUSH (Man City) vs Bournemouth
Marmoush picked up the ball on the half turn, just a yard from the centre circle and moved towards the goal.
As he got to about 30 yards from goal, unchallenged, he decided to let fly. He hit a thunderous effort that arrowed into the top near corner, smacking off the inside of the post and in.
There was also a good goal from Bowen against Notts Forest.
FOOL: SOUTHAMPTON
In some ways, they were the perfect team for Everton to play in their last game at Goodison Park. It almost guaranteed an Everton win and a happy ending.
Although Southampton started well, the inevitable happened as Ndiaye scored two in the first half to ease Everton to victory. The second half was a non-event as Southampton offered nothing, much like they have all season, as they sit with the second-lowest points ever the Premier League. FOOLS!
