TEAM: ASTON VILLA
With two games this week, it was a close one as four teams notched two wins from two, and I did have to think long and hard about this. However, in the end, I went with Villa.
They were victorious in two very different games. First, coming back from two early goals to score four to beat Brighton 4-3. Then, an impressive and hard-fought victory over leaders Arsenal to go third in the league.
Well done to Everton. Crystal Palace and Man City.
GOALKEEPER: JORDAN PICKFORD (Everton)
Although he had help from the defenders in front of him, who were outstanding in both games this week, he was also tested in both games and had to step up.
He was the only goalkeeper this week to get two clean sheets, and as stated, although his defenders helped him, he still had to make saves in both games to earn them.
Shout out to Villa’s Martinez. Chelsea’s Sanchez. West Ham’s Areola and Palace’s Henderson.
DEFENDER: CRISTIAN ROMERO (Tottenham)
It was another close one in this category. However, the Spurs man made his mark, especially in the midweek game, scoring two superb goals, including a superb, last-minute, overhead kick equaliser.
Then in the second game, which was less eventful but equally important, there was a professional two-goal win against Brentford and a clean sheet.
Well done to this teammate. Van De Ven. Everton foursome Tarkowski, Keane, Mykalenko and O’Brien. Villa duo Cash & Maatsen. Palace’s Guehi.
Brighton due Van Hecke & Weifer.Man City duo Dias and Gvardiol. Leeds duo Bijol and Bogle. Arsenal’s White. Man Utd’s Dalot and West Ham’s Wan-Bissaka.
MIDFIELDER: PHIL FODEN (Man City)
He is on fire at the moment and in a rich vein of form. He was the only midfielder to score goals in both games this week.
In midweek, he bagged two in either half in that thrilling game at Fulham. Then, at the weekend, followed it up with an assist in the first half and a stunning header to wrap the game up in the second.
Shout out to his teammates Reijnders, Doku and Cherki. Villa duo Rogers & Onana. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. Leeds duo Stach and Tanaka. Palace’s Munoz. Liverpool’s Szoboszlai. Man Utd duo Fernandez and Mount.
Fulham trio Iwobi, Smith Rowe and Wilson Brighton’s Hinshelwood. Everton duo Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall. Chelsea’s Neto. West Ham’s Magassa. Wolves’ Bellegarde, also, Spurs duo Xavi Simons & Kudus.
FORWARD: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN (Leeds Utd)
Surprisingly, in the two games this week, he was the only striker to bag goals in both games. Although one was a penalty, he still bagged in both games.
To add to that, both goals were against top-six teams, with a win against Chelsea and a thrilling draw at home toLiverpool, where they were two down.
Well done to Fulham’s Chukwueze. Villa duo Watkins & Malen. Spurs’ Richarlison. Everton’s Barry. Newcastle’s Gordon. Liverpool’s Ekitike. Man Utd’s Mbeumo.
Arsenal trio Marino, Saka & Trossard. Man City’s Haaland. Forest’s Igor Jesus. Brighton’s Rutter. West Ham’s Bowen and Palace’s Nketiah.
MANAGER: UNAI EMERY (Aston Villa)
I had to think long and hard about this one, and although I was initially siding with the manager from Merseyside, I couldn’t ignore Emery.
Since he left Arsenal in 2019, his record reads four wins and two defeats. This was another important victory as his team notched five successive league wins to go third in the table.
Shout out to Everton’s Moyes. Man City’s Guardiola and Palace’s Glasner
UNSUNG HERO: MARC GUEHI (Crystal Palace)
It’s crazy to think just a few months ago, he was on his way to Liverpool. You could have excused him if his performances slipped this season, but as usual, he has been exceptional.
The captain led by example in both games. It was his perfect ball into the box that created the winner for Munoz in midweek. Then at the weekend, he won the game late with a typical towering header.
Well done to Leeds’ Tanaka. Everton’s O’Brien. Villa’s Cash. Man Utd’s Fernandez and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.
GAME1: FULHAM 4-5 MAN CITY
Man City raced into a three-goal lead with goals from Haaland (17), Reijnders (37) and a rasping drive from Foden (44). However, Smith Rowe’s diving header on the stroke of half-time gave Fulham hope (45+2).
In the second half, Man City scored two early goals through Foden (48) and Doku’s deflected shot (54). Fulham then pulled a goal back through Iwobi (57). Then two Chukwueze strikes (72) & 78) brought them within a goal, but they couldn’t get the equaliser.
GAME2: LEEDS UTD 3-3 LIVERPOOL
After a stalemate first half, early in the second, Ekitike raced through to give Liverpool the lead (48). He then doubled Liverpool’s lead from close range (50).
Liverpool were looking comfortable, but a reckless challenge by Konate gave Leeds a penalty, which Calvert-Lewin dispatched (73). Minutes later, Stach levelled the game (75).
Szoboszlai then raced through following Gravenberch’s ball and Mac Allister’s dummy to make it 3-2 (80). However, from a corner, Tanaka ghosted in at the back post for a last-minute equaliser (90+6).
GOAL: CRISTIAN ROMERO (Tottenham) vs Newcastle
With time running out and losing 2-1, a corner came in from the left, and was initially headed into the air from the six-yard box.
As the ball came down, just past the penalty spot, Romero, facing away from goal, set himself and executed an unconventional overhead kick, off his shin, but somehow, the ball bounced twice and found its way into the bottom far corner.
There was also a good goal from Man City’s Foden.
GOAL2: HARRY WILSON (Fulham) vs Crystal Palace
From the inside right position, Iwobi fired the ball into Wilson. He then expertly flicked the ball with the outside of his boot to Jimenez, on the edge of the box.
Jimenez, touched it back first-time to Wilson, who swivelled and ran into the box for the return. Wilson then executed a beautiful effort from the outside of the boot, which swerved away from the keeper into the far left corner.
There was also a good goal from Man City’s Foden, excellently assisted by Cherki.
FOOL: WOLVES
Sadly, they are now on track to be the worst team in Premier League history. It’s December, and they are still without a win.
This week, it was two different but equally crushing home defeats. First, 1-0 against relegation-threatened Forest, where they had one shot on goal. Then a 4-1 thumping against Man Utd to stay twelve points from safety. FOOLS!
