TEAM: WEST HAM UNITED
It was a tough decision this week, as there weren’t any truly outstanding performances, although there were a few good ones.
I went with the East Londoners who were still searching for a first win under their new manager. After going a goal down, you feared the worst, but they rallied to score three and win the game comfortably.
Well done to Chelsea. Arsenal. Brighton. Liverpool. Fulham and Man City.
GOALKEEPER: GUGLIELMO VICARIO (Tottenham)
Although it was a losing effort, it wasn’t for the want of trying, as he did everything he could to help his team.
Unfortunately, his teammates didn’t repay the favour as they only had one shot on goal. Alternatively, Vicario had to face nine shots, only conceding one.
Shout out to Liverpool’s Mamardashvili and Forest’s Sels.
DEFENDER: GABRIEL (Arsenal)
There are a few reasons why Arsenal haven’t conceded a league goal in four and seven in all competitions, but one of the main components is this guy.
He has been a beast at the back, and Burnley got no joy out of him all game. He was also involved in the opening goal, causing havoc in the box as usual.
Well done to his teammates Saliba, Calafiori and Timber. Brighton duo Van Hecke & Wieffer, Man City’s O’Reilly. Forest’s Savona. Liverpool duo Robertson & Konate.
West Ham’s Kilman. Fulham’s Tete. Chelsea duo Cucurella & James. Palace duo Guehi & Lacroix. Fulham’s Sessegnon. Sunderland’s Ballard. Everton’s Keane.
MIDFIELDER: DIEGO GOMEZ (Brighton)
An attacking midfielder with a real eye for a goal is the best way to describe him. He recently showed in the cup what he can do, and now he is showing it in the league.
He took his two goals well, being in the right place at the right time on both occasions to ghost in and finish first time.
Shout out to his teammate Minteh. Arsenal’s Rice. West Ham duo Paqueta & Potts. Forests’ Gibbs-White. Man Utd trio Casimiro, Amad and Fernandes. Fulham’s Wilson.
Palace’s Lerma. Chelsea’s Caicedo. Liverpool duo Gravenberch & Szoboszlai. Man City’s Cherki. Bournemouth’s Adams. Newcastle’s Murphy and Sunderland’s Xhaka.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Man City)
He is in unstoppable form, even by his own standards; it is frightening. Scoring another two this week, Bournemouth had no answer. Once he runs through on goal, it is just inevitable. He leads the league on 13 goals, 7 more than the next forward.
Well done to Everton’s Ndiaye. Liverpool’s Salah. Chelsea’s Joao Pedro. Arsenal’s Gyokeres. Crystal Palace’s Mateta and Brighton’s Welbeck.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
It is fair to say his team are purring at present. They are winning games comfortably and, more importantly, not conceding goals.
This comfortable win at Burnley has now made it four straight games without conceding a goal, and his team is now six points clear at the top.
Shout out to West Ham’s Espírito Santo and Chelsea’s Maresca
UNSUNG HERO: DANNY WELBECK (Brighton)
There were a few very worthy players I could have chosen for this award, but I wanted to highlight the Brighton forward who has been putting in some top performances of late.
He opened the scoring against Leeds with another good finish, and a month away from his 35th birthday, he currently has the most goals for an English player in the league (6).
Well done to West Ham’s Potts, Man City’s O’Reilly and Liverpool’s Szoboszlai.
GAME: NOTTS FOREST 2-2 MAN UTD
In a thrilling game, Man Utd opened the scoring from a controversial corner which Fernandes swung in for Casimiro to head home (34).
In the second half, Forest equalised and went ahead in the space of just two minutes. Gibbs-White expertly headed in Yates’ cross (48), then Savona took advantage of slow defending to ghost in and score off a knockdown (50).
However, just when Forest were edging to victory, Amad volleyed in superbly from the edge of the box to claim a point (87).
GOAL: ILIMAN NDIAYE (Everton) vs Sunderland
The Everton man picked up the ball on the right touchline, midway inside the Sunderland half and drove towards goal.
Surrounded by four Sunderland players on the edge of the box, he jinxed inside one, breezed past another two, then used a further defender to bend the ball around, into the far corner.
FOOL: EMMANUEL AGBODOU (Wolves)
What you don’t want to do when your team and manager are under pressure with no league wins this season, is put your team under more pressure, especially early.
Unfortunately, as early as the 36th minute, Agbodou committed a cynical foul as the last man, to get sent off. Wolves inevitably lost the game 3-0, and it signalled the end of the manager Pereira’s reign. FOOL!
