TEAM: NOTTS FOREST
Although there were a few good candidates for this, none were more deserving than Forest’s comfortable and convincing away win at Spurs.
Under pressure themselves, in an away six-pointer, however, you would have never guessed it as they strolled past Spurs to boost their survival hopes while severely denting Tottenham’s.
Well done to Everton. Sunderland. Brighton. Aston Villa and Fulham.
GOALKEEPER: JORDON PICKFORD (Everton)
Though it seemed Everton had a comfortable home victory over Chelsea, they still had to be at their best before that comfort.
That was due to several saves Pickford made to thwart Chelsea, earn a clean sheet and allow his team to run out comfortable 3-0 winners.
Shout out to Forest’s Sels. Brighton’s Verbruggen. Liverpool’s Mamardashvili. Bournemouth’s Petrovic and Fulham’s Leno.
DEFENDER: NECO WILIAMS (Notts Forest)
Playing at left full back for a right-footed player is tough, but he stayed solid and composed all game and was useful on the ball.
His corner was headed in for the opening goal. He was a ball of energy up and down the left flank, and then put in a wonderful ball for the third goal to seal the game.
Well done to his teammate, Milenkovic. Everton duo Keane & Mykolenko. Aston Villa duo Digne and Torres. Brighton’s Van Hecke. Sunderland’s Geertruida.
Leeds’s Bijol. Brentford’s Pinnock. Fulham’s Castagne. Bournemouth’s Truffert. West Ham’s Mavropanos. Newcastle’s Burn and Liverpool’s Kerkez.
MIDFIELDER: JAMES GARNER (Everton)
He was just pipped for the man of the match award in the game by his teammate, who scored two goals. However, it was still close, such was his performance.
He bossed the midfield against the likes of Enzo, Palmer and Caicedo, oozing class throughout. His superb pass created the opening goal, and his performances have earned an England call-up.
Shout out to his teammate Gueye. Forest due Gibbs-White and Anderson. Villa trio, Onana, McGinn and Sancho. Sunderland’s Rigg. Fulham duo King & Wilson.
Brighton duo Milner & Gomez. Bournemouth duo Scott & Christie. Man Utd’s Fernandes and Leeds’ Ampadu.
FORWARD: BETO (Everton)
His two goals, assist and tireless work rate sank Chelsea and boosted Everton’s now realistic European qualification chances.
He saw a good run and a clinical finish. His second was a powerful effort that the keeper couldn’t hold. Then he topped it off by winning the header to assist Everton’s third.
Well done to Brighton’s Wellbeck. Villa’s Watkins. Forest duo Igor Jesus & Awoniyi. Sunderland duo Talbi & Brobbey. Newcastle’s Gordon. Burnley’s Flemming and Fulham’s Jimenez.
MANAGER: REGIS LE BRIS (Sunderland)
Although the achievements of Everton and Notts forest were louder and by a wider margin, both were from established Premier League teams.
However, what Le Bris has done with the newly promoted Sunderland has been nothing short of amazing. And to add this, he had completed a double over his closest city rivals, coming from a goal down to get a late winner dramatically.
Shout out to Everton’s Moyes. Notts Forest’s Pereira and Brighton’s Hurzeler.
UNSUNG HERO: DANNY WELBECK (Brighton)
At the ripe old age of 35, he is still making his mark in the Premier League and scoring important goals; this time it was two.
Welbeck took full advantage of Liverpool’s frailties, with two poacher goals in each half to win the game and boost Brighton’s European hopes and his own England chances, as he is currently the highest English scorer in the league.
Well done to Forest duo Gibbs-White & Anderson. Fulahm’s King and Sunderland’s Brobbey.
GAME: NEWCASTLE 1-2 SUNDERLAND
In their quest for revenge, Newcastle opened the scoring when they took advantage of Sunderland trying to play out from the back. Gordon did well to side-step two players and thrash home (10).
In the second half, Sunderland equalised when Talbi finished off a scramble in the box (57). Newcastle then had a goal disallowed through Thiaw, before Sunderland won it dramatically, as Brobbey turned in Le Fey’s cross at the second attempt (90).
There was also a good game at Bournemouth, who drew 2-2 with Man Utd.
GOAL: ILIMAN NDIAYE (Everton) vs Chelsea
Following a long goal kick into the Chelsea half, Beto rose highest to beat the Chelsea player to the ball and flick on for Ndiaye to run onto.
Ndiaye chased the ball down and took control just outside the box. He stood Caicedo up just inside the box, neatly cut inside, then fired a rocket into the far corner.
FOOL: TOTTENHAM
Chelsea and Liverpool were lucky not to be here, but Spurs are in a real relegation battle for survival. They have not won a league game in 2026, and this six-pointer could have been a turning point.
However, they didn’t play as it meant as much as they were brushed aside at home by Forest, who now go two points clear of them. The pressure is really on, and it is now conceivable, especially playing as they are, that they could go down. FOOLS!
