TEAM: MANCHESTER CITY
After two successive defeats, City had to improve and had the perfect game to do it in against their city rivals.
They were up for the game from the first whistle and pummelled United, who were very lucky to come away with just the three goals conceded.
Well done to Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Fulham.
GOALKEEPER: EMILIANO MARTINEZ (Aston Villa)
It was a tough decision; although some keepers made more saves, it was the Villa man who made the better ones, including one fantastic save to earn his team a point.
To put in such a performance and earn the Man of the Match award in his first game of the season shows why he is world-class.
Shout out to Sunderland’s Roef’s, who was close to winning this. Wolves’ Johnstone, Spurs’ Vicario, Fulham’s Leno and Man City’s Donnarumma.
DEFENDER: MICKY VAN DE VEN (Tottenham)
I had to debate on this decision, but in the end, I went with the Spurs man who scored in the game with a lovely finish, but also looked solid.
Along with this defensive partner, he shut down anything West Ham had to offer, and in turn, is always a threat at the other end, both in the air and on the feet, as he showed.
Well done to his teammate Romero. Newcastle duo Trippier and Schar. Arsenal duo Timber & Mosquera. Man City duo Khusanov & O’Reilly.
Burnley duo Ekdal & Hartman Palace’s Guehi. Liverpool duo Konate & Szoboszlai. Everton duo Keane & Garner, also Fulham duo Anderson & Sessegnon.
MIDFIELDER: MARTIN ZUBIMENDI (Arsenal)
The Gunners’ big-money signing in midfield weighed in with two goals to already match his last season’s tally.
The first was a rasping volley from the edge of the box, showing superb technique, that almost broke the net. The second was an unexpected but excellent header from one of the smallest players on the pitch, to take the game away from Forest.
Shout out to his teammate, Marino. Bournemouth duo Semenyo & Scott. Spurs duo Sarr & Bergvall. Man City trio Foden, Doku & B.Silva. Brentford duo Henderson & Carvalho.
Chelsea duo Palmer & Caicedo. Brighton duo Mitoma & Minteh. Newcastle’s Tonal. Liverpool’s Gravenberch. Sunderland’s Xhaka and Fulham’s Kevin.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Man City)
He was the only forward this weekend to notch a double, both taken in typical clinical fashion as he tormented United all game.
His first showed off the ball movement, awareness and a deft finish. The second, following a breakaway, to show pace, composure and pinpoint finishing to sink the red half of Manchester.
Well done to Arsenal trio Madueke, Gyokeres & Eze. Brentford’s Schade. Newcastle’s Waltemade and
MANAGER: THOMAS FRANK (Tottenham)
Although West Ham were hit for five in their last home game, they were coming off a superb three-goal win at Forest.
Spurs started the season well under Frank, but were humbled at home to Bournemouth in their last game. However, responded well this week, with a superb away win in a rigid 433 formation, looking strong at the back and creating chances.
Shout out to Arsenal’s Arteta and Man City’s Guardiola.
UNSUNG HERO: NICK WOLTEMADE (Newcastle)
Obviously, he is not unsung, but I wanted to acknowledge him after all that Newcastle went through with strikers this summer; he must have felt pressure.
Although it could have been the perfect team to make your debut against, he did what he must have dreamt of on his debut, scoring with a well-taken header.
Well done to Man City duo Doku & Foden, Bournemouth’s Scott, and Tottenham’s Sarr. Brentford’s Henderson, Sunderland’s Roefs and Fulham’s Kevin.
GAME: BRENTFORD 2-2 CHELSEA
Brentford took the lead against the run of play when Henderson’s pass from his own half found Schade, who outside the slotted into the far post (35). Chelsea then equalised in the second half when sub Palmer swept in after Pedro nodded back (61).
Chelsea thought they won it when Caceido seemed to have all the time in the world to smash home from just outside the box (83). However, Brentford snatched a point, then Carvalho stole in at the far post to finish, following a long throw (90+3).
GOAL: MARTIN ZUBIMENDI (Arsenal) vs Notts Forest
Following a corner that was swung in from the right, met well by a Forest defender who confidently headed it out to the edge of the box.
Zubimendi, lurking just outside the box, met the ball flush with a rasping volley, demonstrating superb technique to see the ball rocket into the net with the help of a slight deflection.
FOOL: HANNIBAL MEJBRI (Burnley)
Burnley were literally a minute away from taking a point off the Champions. But Hannibal, who only came on in the 63rd minute, ruined all his teammates’ hard work when he blocked Frimpong’s cross with his arm for a blatant penalty. Hannibal by name, Hannibal by nature. FOOL!
