TEAM: BRENTFORD
Although it was a newly promoted side they defeated, Sunderland has been defying the odds with their performances, which have had them occupying European positions.
However, Brentford have been defying their own odds, as many people’s favourites to fight relegation. This comprehensive win, with three goals against a usually stubborn defence, made it four wins in their last five games, undefeated in six and up to fifth in the table.
Well done to Newcastle Notts Forest. Bournemouth and Brighton.
GOALKEEPER: CAOIMHIN KELLEHER (Brentford)
Not only did he keep a clean sheet, making it his third in five games, but he also made a few decent saves.
But at a vital time in the second half, with his team leading 1-0, in the 60th minute, he didn’t fall for the antics of Le Fee to save his dreadful penalty, which allowed his team to go on win it 3-0.
Shout out to Villa’s Martinez. Crystal Palace’s Henderson. Fulham’s Leno. Burnley’s Dubravka and Brighton’s Verbruggen.
DEFENDER: JAN PAUL VAN HECKE (Brighton)
Brighton only conceded a penalty late in the first half, and for much of the game, they were mostly comfortable with solid defensive performances.
He was the pick of the defenders and led the line well, restricting Man City to half-chances and, for much of the game, to earn a great away draw.
Well done to his teammates, Dunk & Hinshelwood. Arsenal foursome: Gabriel, Saliba, Timber & Hincapie. Brentford duo Collins & Kayode. Villa duo Konsa & Cash.
Palace trio Guehi, Lacroix & Canvot. Burnley duo Esteve & Humphreys. Everton duo Keane & Tarkowski. Wolves’ Mosquera. Liverpool duo Kerkez & Konate. Also, Notts Forest’s Williams.
MIDFIELDER: HARVEY BARNES (Newcastle)
In a rollercoaster of a game, he equalised in the first half, quickly after Leeds had opened the scoring with a neat left-footed finish.
Then, after equalising three times, Newcastle were hoping for a hero and he duly obliged with a lovely swivelled finish in the box to win the game and send the crowd into raptures.
Shout out to his teammates Bruno Guimaraes & Joelinton. Leeds’ Aaronson. Bournemouth’s Semenyo. Brighton duo Mitoma & Kadioglu. Wolves’ duo Mane & Gomes. Burnley duo Anthony & Edwards.
Fulham duo Wilson & Berge. Man Utd duo Fernandes & Dorgu. Brentford duo Janelt & Yarmolyuk. Spurs’ Palhinha. Forest duo Gibbs-White & Dominguez, and Liverpool’s Szoboszlai.
FORWARD: IGOR THIAGO (Brentford)
Not only is his team defying the odds, but he is destroying them. He has already broken a record as the highest Brazilian scorer in a season.
His two goals were taken typically well. He ran through on goal and rounded the keeper with ease to slot home the first. Then doubled the lead with an instinctive header from six yards.
Well done to his teammate, Schade. Man Utd’s Sesko. Bournemouth duo Evanilson & Kroupi. Spurs’ Tel. Fulham’s Jimenez. Leeds’s Chelsea’s Delap. Calvert-Lewin and Man City’s Haaland.
MANAGER: KEITH ANDREWS (Brentford)
I am not sure how he continues to defy the odds, not to mention going six games unbeaten, but I am sure the Brentford faithful do not care.
Naturally, Thiago’s success has been a huge factor, but defensively, they have also been good, with three clean sheets in six games. But the fact that he has steered them to fifth in the table is beyond the wildest dreams of every Brentford fan.
Shout out to Newcastle’s Howe. Notts Forest’s Dyche and Bournemouth’s Iraola.
UNSUNG HERO: ANTOINE SEMENYO (Bournemouth)
Obviously, he is not unsung, but for his sheer attitude and aptitude in light of his pending transfer to Man City, he deserved recognition.
Not only did he play in the game days before going to Man City, which he could have sat out. He put 100% into the game and was rewarded with a fine late winner to leave his team with a lovely and fitting departing gift.
Well done to Fulham’s Wilson. Wolves’ Mane. Leeds’ Aaronson and Man Utd’s Sesko.
GAME: NEWCASTLE 4-3 LEEDS UTD
Aaronson gave Leeds the lead with a low effort from outside the box (32). But was quickly cancelled out by Barnes’ strike from near the penalty spot (36). Calvert-Lewin then converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to give Leeds the lead (45+5).
In the second half, Joelinton’s neat headed finish from Bruno’s outside of the boot pass got Newcastle level (54). However, Aaronson got his second and Leeds’ third off the post (79).
Bruno converted a late penalty to equalise for a third time (90+1), and with minutes ticking, Barnes swivelled inside the box and won it in dramatic fashion (90+12).
There was also a good game at Bournemouth, where they beat Tottenham 3-2.
GOAL: JOAO PALHINHA (Tottenham) vs Bournemouth
A corner was swung in from the right, where a Bournemouth player got his head to the ball, sending it high into the air. As the ball came down, it was missed by two players contesting for the ball.
But as it bounced, right in front of Palhinha, it fell invitingly for him to execute a perfect, overhead kick volley, from the corner of the six-yard box into the far corner of the net.
There was also a good goal from Burnley’s Jaiden Anthony against Man Utd.
FOOL: MARC CUCURELLA (Chelsea)
Everton’s Keane was lucky not to be up here. However, in the West London derby, with just 22 minutes gone, a long ball was played upfield towards Wilson. Cucurella got caught wrong side.
Knowing that he was the last man, instead of keeping his head and not doing anything rash, even if it meant Wilson had a shot on goal. Instead he panicked and hauled down Wilson for a blatant red card, from someone who is supposed to be one of the more experience players in a young squad who have had a string of red cards. FOOL!
