TEAM: BRIGHTON
Their early season form has been sensational; the league’s top scorers were at it again. Not only have they recently beaten the champions, but they are destroying teams.
Palace were put to the sword with a five-star performance, and not only are they scoring plenty, but they are not conceding, with a third clean sheet in a row and fourth already this season.
Well done to Chelsea, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Bournemouth, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and Fulham.
GOALKEEPER: EMILIANO MARTINEZ (Chelsea)
It was slim picking for keeper this week. However, for the 75 minutes he was on the pitch, he was Chelsea’s best player. Although Everton weren’t dominating, they had several chances that Martinez was equal to.
It was a testament to his commitment and bravery that he was injured putting his body and health on the line to stop Everton scoring with a horrific collision. Chelsea made his commitment worthwhile by coming away with a win and a clean sheet.
Shout out to his teammate Penders, Hull’s Tzolakis, Man Utd’s Lammens, and Villa’s Suzuki.
DEFENDER: EZRI KONSA (Arsenal)
With no real outstanding defender to choose from, I went with the Arsenal man who has only been at Arsenal for three months but has taken no time to settle in.
He has fitted into the backline seamlessly, and is probably playing more minutes than expected due to Saliba’s injury. He has already established a partnership with Gabriel, which was demonstrated as they shut out Forest with ease.
As stated, well done to his teammate Gabriel. Chelsea duo: Acheampong and Lacroix. Fulham duo: Bassy and Castegne. Villa duo: Lindelof and Cash. Brighton trio: Boscagli, Dunk, and Vuskovic.
Leeds’ duo: Elvedi and Muharemovic. Man Utd duo: Yoro and Maguire. Bournemouth’s Hill. Brentford duo: Lewis-Potter and Ajar. Liverpool’s Van Dijk. Forest’s Murillo and Spurs duo Van de Ven and Davies.
MIDFIELDER: PEDRO NETO (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s difference-maker in a game where chances were at a premium and defenses were mainly on top, bagged two to win the game.
He showed composure to sweep home the first after good work on the left. Then his second settled the game late, with a cool side-footed effort, after a free kick came back off the wall.
Shout out to his teammates Rogers and Palmer. Brighton foursome: Gomez, Gross, Hinshelwood, and Ayari. Man City trio: Foden, Ndiaye, and Doku. Tottenham duo: Maddison and Kudus. Arsenal duo: Rice and Madueke.
Liverpool trio: Munoz, Mac Allister, and Ngumoha. Fulham duo: Iwobi and King. Bournemouth duo: Tavernier and Christie. Villa’s McGinn.
FORWARD: ERLING HAALAND (Man City)
The league’s top scorer notched another two goals this week, and his second turned out to be the important winner to maintain City’s 100% record.
He once again showed his clinical movement when he stooped to head in his first, then movement, strength and his usually clinical finishing to score his second and City’s third.
Well done to Brighton’s Kostoulas. Bournemouth’s Evanilson. Liverpool’s Isak. Villa’s Manzambi. Tottenham’s Marmoush. Leeds’ Calvert-Lewin. Man Utd’s Mbeumo and Ipswich duo Maeda and Flemming.
MANAGER: FABIAN HURZELER (Brighton)
His team are on fire at present and playing free-flowing, open attacking football that has the league both on notice and jealous.
It’s not a coincidence they are the league’s top scorers and sharing the goals around; it was four different scorers against Palace and it’s already the sixth time his team have had three or more scorers in one game.
Shout out to Chelsea’s Alonso. Villa’s Emery. Man City’s Maresca. Spurs’ De Zerbi. and Liverpool’s Iraola.
UNSUNG HERO: CHARALAMPOS KOSTOULAS (Brighton)
Brighton’s teenage Greek striker has been superb this season, with four league goals already and two assists. He got a goal and assist this week as they destroyed Palace but it’s not only goals and assists he provides.
He is already showing football intelligence and has fitted into Brighton’s free-flowing attacking style of play, almost becoming the focal point upfront. With his intelligent runs, neat footwork, touches, lay-offs, and a willingness to make runs off the ball.
Well done to his teammate Gomez. Villa’s Manzambi. Tottenham’s Maddison. Arsenal’s Madueke and Liverpool’s Munoz.
GAME: BRENTFORD 1-2 LIVERPOOL
Brentford started the game much better and deservedly went a head when Thiago crossed from the right for Lewis-Potter to finish with an excellent bullet header (44). However, in stoppage time, the game changed when Yarmolyuk saw red for a silly headbutt (45+8).
Liverpool came out determined in the second and got an equaliser when Munoz chopped back onto his left and finished in the bottom corner (62). They won it a few minutes later when Barcola at the far post noodled back for Isak to nick it from the defender with his right and finish instinctively with his left (70).
GOAL: DIEGO GOMEZ (Brighton) vs Crystal Palace
Gomez received the ball on the half turn a yard inside his own half; his touch took him a step into the Palace half.
Without hesitation, he unleashed an unbelievable effort from just a yard in the Palace half, and watched the ball sail over the Palace keeper for a wonder goal.
There was also a good goal from Tottenham’s Maddison.
FOOL: YEGOR YARMOLYUK (Brentford)
Although it was slightly harsh, the ref understandably had no option to give him a red at the end of the first half for his foolish decision to push his head towards Jacquet during a corner.
What made it worse was Brentford were the better team and deservedly a goal up. Liverpool were struggling and looking out of sorts. But the red card changed everything and Liverpool came out in the second half to score two and win the game. FOOL!
