TEAM: SUNDERLAND
There were several performances this week that would have deserved this award, but there could only be one winner: newly promoted Sunderland.
It’s fair to say Sunderland’s start to the season has taken everyone by surprise, and coming back from an early goal down to defeat the multi-billion pound squad of Chelsea tops the lot.
Well done to Brentford. Tottenham. Man Utd. Aston Villa. Burnley. Bournemouth. Newcastle. Arsenal and Leeds.
GOALKEEPER: GUGLIELMO VICARIO (Tottenham)
He wasn’t called into question much at Everton, but when he was, it was significant.
He made two outstanding saves, one from a close-range shot, showing great reflexes, and the other, even better reflexes from an overhead kick, where he somehow clawed the ball out from almost behind him.
Shout out to Villa’s Martinez. Sunderland’s Roefs. Bournemouth’s Petrovic and Newcastle’s Pope.
DEFENDER: MICKEY VAN DE VEN (Tottenham)
The Spurs defender showed his worth at both ends of the pitch at Everton, who couldn’t handle it in either box.
His two goals in the first half from headers virtually sealed the game. The second half was all about him putting up a wall that Everton couldn’t get through or around.
Well done to his teammates, Danso & Porro. Sunderland’s Ballard. Villa duo Cash & Konsa. Arsenal’s Gabriel. Palace’s Lacroix. Bournemouth’s Truffert.
Burnley duo Hartman & Walker. Brentford duo Kayode & Collins. Sunderland’s Mandeva. Newcastle duo Trippier & Thiaw and Leeds duo Rondon & Bijol.
MIDFIELDER: BRUNO GUIMARAES (Newcastle)
Strictly for the sheer drama of it all, also the passion and energy he always demonstrates playing for his club. His last-minute winner deserves this award.
Bruno is a clear fan favourite, playing with his heart on his sleeve, so to score a 90th-minute winner, a reward for his tireless running, will only strengthen the fans’ admiration.
Shout out to Man Utd’s Casimero. Sunderland’s Xhaka. Brentford’s Henderson. Arsenal’s Eze. Newcastle’s Murphy. Leeds’s Aaronson. Bournemouth duo Tavernier & Adams.
Villa’s Onana. Wolves’ Munetsi. West Ham’s Fernandes. Chelsea’s Garnacho. Fulham’s Lukic and Spurs’s Sarr.
FORWARD: BRYAN MBEUMO (Man Utd)
It’s fair to say he finally seems to be finding his feet in a United shirt. His two second-half goals were eventually the difference. Both goals were taken very well, showing his intelligence and clinical finishing to make it four in his last four games.
Well done to his teammate Cunha. Sunderland trio Isidor, Brobbery and Talbi. Brentford trio, Ouattara, Schade & Thiago. Burnley duo Flemming & Foster. Bournemouth’s Kroupi. Brighton duo Wellbeck and Kostoulas, also Wolves’ Larsen.
MANAGER: REGIS LE BRIS (Sunderland)
It was a difficult decision with several candidates worthy of this award, but I went with the newly promoted team for an eye-raising win at Chelsea.
What made the win even sweeter is the fact that two of his substitutes linked up excellently to create and score the winner.
Shout out to Brentford’s Andrews. Tottenham’s Frank. Villa’s Emery and Burnley’s Parker.
UNSUNG HERO: MATTY CASH (Aston Villa)
He is obviously not unsung for scoring the winner against Man City. But it’s not often a defender gets a winner with his weaker foot against one of the best team’s in the world and keeps a clean sheet.
He took his goal with the composure of a forward, then went back to his defensive duties to thwart Haaland and co.
Well done to Leeds’s Rodon. Man Utd’s Casimero. Burnley’s Flemming and Villa’s Onana.
GAME: WOLVES 2-3 BURNLEY
Burnley opened the scoring when Hartman played a lovely long diagonal pass into Flemming, who expertly finished first time into the bottom corner (14). The two combined again for Flamming to make it two from close range (30).
Wolves then pulled a goal back when Larsen was fouled and converted from the spot (42). They equalised minutes later when Munetsi nodded home (45+4).
There were several chances to win it from either team in the second, but the winner came in stoppage time when Hannibal slipped in Foster to neatly slip past the keeper (90+5).
GOAL: JAMES TAVERNIER (Bournemouth) vs Notts Forest
Straight from a corner. Tavernier lined up on the right and swung in a corner with whip and pace. The curling shot found its way inside the far post, evading the keeper and a defender on the line for a superb goal.
There were also good goals from his teammate Kroupi. Arsenal’s Eze. Burnley’s Flemming and Brighton’s Wellbeck
FOOL: LIVERPOOL FC
I am not sure what exactly is going on in Liverpool, but something certainly is not right. There could be mitigating circumstances, like Jota’s passing, but the team is struggling.
Above all, they are not defending well, conceding 14 goals in 9 games is terrible, but they are also not covering chances, and their all-around game seems off, not exactly champions, more like chumps. FOOLS
