TEAM: BRIGHTON
Naturally, it was a very close two horse race this week for this award but out of the two, the most unlikely scoreline was the one Brighton produced at the Etihad.
As good as they have been playing this season, nobody expected them to go to Man City and win, let alone shut them out. Credited their keeper had to have a man of the match performance but generally, it was a team effort and everyone played their part in this.
Well done to Arsenal. Everton. Bournemouth. Brentford. Tottenham. Coventry and Chelsea.
GOALKEEPER: BART VERBRUGGEN (Brighton)
Playing Man City you know your goalkeeper will be busy, to beat them you know your goalkeeper has to have a good game. But to get a win and clean sheet, your goalkeeper will have to have a man of the match performance.
Although the players all played their part in reducing Man City’s chances, they certainly had some good chances, but they found Verbruggen in inspired form, making several top saves to earn that clean sheet and a memorable away win.
Shout out to Brentford’s Kelleher. Chelsea’s Penders. Coventry’s Rushworth. Everton’s Pickford and Palace’s Henderson.
DEFENDER: EZRI KONSA (Arsenal)
To be fair I could have chose him or his centre back partner for this, but as he is more of the newbie in the team but certainly not playing like it, I chose him.
Arsenal put on a masterclass in defending at Anfield to reduce Liverpool with a forward line amassing over £300m to no shots on goal. Konsa was at the heart winning 89% of his duels, including 7/7 of ground duels, added to 8 clearances and 5 recoveries.
Well done to his teammates Gabriel and Calafiori. Spurs foursome Van Hecke, Gray, Van de Ven and Robertson. Brighton duo Vuskovic and Dunk. Everton duo Tarkowski & Branthwaite.
Ipswich’s Ouattara. Brentford duo Ajer and Van den Berg. Coventry duo Mfuni and Van Ewijk. Bournemouth duo Truffert and Silva.
MIDFIELDER: ROMEO LAVIA (Chelsea)
He was instrumental in Chelsea’s win this week and is now slowly putting in full 90 minute performances the fans expect to see.
It was a dominant display in midfield that was typified in his assist for the opening goal, showing awareness and bravery to win the ball, getting clattered but still managed to lay the pass to Rogers, who went on his run to score.
Shout out to his teammates Rogers and Estevao. Brighton trio Ayari, De Cuyper and Gross. Arsenal’s Rice. Coventry trio Rudoni, Torp and Sakamoto. Spurs duo trio Fernandes, Tonali and Williams-Barnett.
Hull’s Iroebgunam. Ipswich’s Florentino. Brentford’s Anthony. Bournemouth’s Adli. Everton duo Dewsbury-Hall and Armstrong. Liverpool duo Nyoni and Mac Allister also Sunderland’s Le Fee.
FORWARD: TAIWO AWONIYI (Coventry)
Although there were several difficult decisions, this was probably the hardest decision this week, due to no real outstanding forward. However, I had to choose one and I went with the forward.
Mainly due to making his goal out of nothing, winning the ball high up, beating his man and finishing expertly. In addition, he was a handful all game and it was his first goal for his new club which he so desperately needed.
Well done to Villa’s Jackson. Ipswich’s Enciso. Everton’s Barry. Hull City’s McBurnie. Bournemouth’s Evanilson. Arsenal’s Havertz and Brentford’s Thiago.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
It was a close run thing but in football, the phrase goes, a good attack wins you fans but a good defence wins you titles.
It’s as simple as that. No team has gone to Anfield and stopped Liverpool having a shot on goal. Like it or not, his philosophy which is so deeply build on a solid defence is the ultimate catalyst for their success and it is working wonders.
Shout out to Brighton’s Hurzeler. Everton’s Moyes. Bournemouth’s Rose. Brentford’s Andrews. Coventry’s Lampard and Tottenham’s De Zerbi.
UNSUNG HERO: KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL (Everton)
There were several good candidates for this and it was a close run thing. However, I opted for the Everton midfielder who is starting turn in regular to performances.
At Newcastle he was their go to man, was everywhere and seemed to cover every blade of grass with his endless running. But was also the creative spark, pushing the team along and was involved in the only goal of the game that got them an important away win.
Well done to Tottenham’s Gray. Arsenal’s Rice. Chelsea’s Estevao. Everton’s Tarkowski. Ipswich’s Enciso
GAME: HULL CITY 2-2 IPSWICH TOWN
Ipswich opened the scoring when Ouattara slipped in Florentino, who pirouetted to beat the offside trap and roofed in at the near post (22). In the second half Hull equalised when Iroegbunam raced in unchallenged down the inside right channel and fired home (58).
Hull then took the lead when McBurnie fired in a low free kick from just outside the box (68). But Ipswich salvaged a point from Enciso’s superb run and left footed strike from just outside the box (74).
GOAL: MORGAN ROGERS (Chelsea) vs Man Utd
Lavia won from Fernandes, then reacted quicker to nip the ball in front of Baleba, and play in Rogers while getting fouled.
Rogers turned and run at goal, as he moved forward, he had two Man Utd players either side, and a further two in front. He continued forward, evading all four players as he drifted into the box, then dinked the ball over the on coming Lammens.
There was also a good goal from Ipswich’s Enciso
FOOL: LISANDRO MARTINEZ (Man Utd)
Although there were several candidates this week. If ever there was a sign of self sabotage then this was it. Under no circumstances after everything that’s happened at Man Utd, including the part Martinez himself played.
After getting a silly first yellow when Rogers was going nowhere. He would just four minutes later, commit career suicide with a forearm smash during a free kick to get a clear second yellow. FOOL!
