TEAM: BRIGHTON
There were several candidates for this, and it was a very difficult decision to make; however, I am going against my principles and opting for a good home win over a good away win.
This is because Brighton trailed Manchester City, who were reeling after losing at home to Tottenham last week. City seemed comfortable, but somehow they managed to stage a dramatic fightback, scoring two second-half goals to win the game.
Well done to West Ham and Crystal Palace, who were really close to winning this. Also, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea and Man Utd.
GOALKEEPER: DEAN HENDERSON (Crystal Palace)
Villa had been unbeaten at home for 19 games, and a big part of that was naturally scoring goals; however, in this game, they were thwarted early on by the Palace keeper.
As the game got further into it, Palace slowly took over to shock Villa by putting three past them, but that confidence started with Henderson’s performance, earning a good away clean sheet.
Shout out to Tottenham’s Vicario. West Ham’s Hermansen. Sunderland’s Roefs and Chelsea’s Sanchez.
DEFENDER: DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI (Liverpool)
Last week, he played from right back at St James’ Park and impressed; this week was an even tougher test against Arsenal and was even better.
You were expecting Arsenal to exploit his inexperience, but he defended like he had been playing there his whole career. Then, to top it off, he scored a wonder free kick to win the game.
Well done to his teammates Van Dijk & Konate. Bournemouth trio Diakite, Senesi & Truffert. Arsenal duo Mosquera & Timber. Palace trio Guehi, Lacroix & Richards.
Chelsea’s Tosin. West Ham duo Diouf & Kilman. Leeds’ Rodon. Newcastle duo Burn & Botman. Wolves’ Gomez and Brighton’s Dunk.
MIDFIELDER: JACK GREALISH (Everton)
It is safe to say he has settled into Everton life seamlessly. In the last two games, he has conjured up two assists in each. Against Wolves, he put in another top performance.
He assisted the first goal with a nice header back across, was involved in the second, then assisted the important third, which proved to be the winner.
Shout out to his teammates Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye. Brighton duo Minteh & Milner. Burnley’s Anthony. West Ham duo Paqueta & Bowen.
Palace duo Mitchell and Munoz. Sunderland duo Le Fee & Xhaka. Newcastle’s Longstaff and Bournemouth’s Semenyo.
FORWARD: JOAO PEDRO (Chelsea)
It may be to do with the fact that he had embedded into the squad playing in the Club World Cup in the summer, but he looks comfortable in the Chelsea shirt.
When Chelsea were up against it and needing something, he pulled a vital goal out of the bag with a lovely header from a corner to set Chelsea on their way and was involved in the build-up for the penalty.
Shout out to Man Utd’s Mbeumo. Everton’s Beto. Burnley’s Foster. Sunderland’s Isidor. Bournemouth’s Evanilson. Brighton’s Gruda.
Palace duo Mateta & Sarr. Man City’s Haaland. Wolves’ Hwang. West Ham’s C.Wilson and Brentford’s Thiago.
MANAGER: GRAHAM POTTER (West Ham)
Losing their first two league games with a record of 1-8, then going out in the League Cup, Potter was up against it with his job already under threat.
Going to Forest was never going to be easy, but he changed the formation to a back four. This brought some stability, he played an exciting attacking midfield three of Bowen, Paqueta and Fernandes and got a surprising 3-0 away win.
Well done to Palace manager Glasner, who was close to winning this. Also, Brighton’s Hurzeler and Bournemouth’s Iraola.
UNSUNG HERO: MARC GUEHI (Crystal Palace)
Naturally not unsung, however, despite being at the centre of transfer speculation all summer, he has carried himself superbly and performed admirably.
This was no different as he put in a man of the match performance at Villa, snapping their 19-game home unbeaten run and to top it off, scored one of the goals of the week.
Shout out to Everton’s Dewsbury-Hall. Brighton’s Milner. West Ham’s Bowen. Bournemouth’s Semenyo and Brighton’s Minteh.
GAME: MAN UTD 3-2 BURNLEY
Man Utd opened the scoring when Casimero’s header from a corner came off the bar, then off Cullen and in (27).
In the second half, Burnley equalised when Foster touched in Brunn Larsen’s cross from the right (55). Two minutes later, Mbeumo restored the lead when he swept in Dalot’s low cross from the left (57).
Anthony then took advantage of some defensive indecision to equalise (66). But a point was snatched from Burnley when Anthony tugged Amad’s shirt running into the box, and Fernandes scored a very late winning penalty (90+7).
GOAL: DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI (Liverpool) vs Arsenal
In a game where defences were on top and lacking real scoring chances, it was always going to take a magical moment to settle the game.
With just ten minutes to go, fairly central, Szoboszlai stepped up, some 35 yards out and hit an unbelievable free kick, that swerved and dipped, then kissed off the inside of the near post to slam into the net to fittingly win the game.
There was also a good goal from Palace’s Guehi and Chelsea’s Dewsbury-Hall.
FOOL: ROB JONES (ref) Chelsea vs Fulham
Even for English refereeing standards, this was a horrendous performance by Rob Jones. To disallow a goal, depriving an 18-year-old of a debut goal for a foul that should never have been given.
To a dubious Chelsea penalty to win the game, even after Joao Pedro’s handball in the build-up. It’s just an all-around poor and uncertain performance, which does nothing to allay the assumption that English refs are some of the worst in the world. FOOL!
