TEAM: ARSENAL
Members of Arsenal’s past, present and future combined to give the fans a timely reminder of just what they are capable off. Henry, Van Persie and Chamberlain all scored in the impressive 7-1 demolition of Blackburn. We all know The Gunners have quality but it doesn’t often click, when it does they are ruthless as Blackburn witnessed.
GOALKEEPER: TIM KRUL (Newcastle)
He kept his team on level terms early, then kept his team ahead late on in the game. All the accolades will be taken up by the front two but he made some real important saves throughout the whole game to allow the strikers to be heroes. Well done also to Norwich’s Ruddy and Wolves Hennessey.
DEFENDER: KYLE NAUGHTON (Norwich City)
The young defender on loan from Spurs showed his quality against a Bolton side who were in the game for long periods. Norwich weren’t exactly at their best and had some defending to do. Naughton stuck to task and defended well while being a constant threat going forward. Well done to Swansea’s Neil Taylor and Man City’s Micah Richards.
MIDFIELDER: SCOTT PARKER (Tottenham)
He literally put his body on the line to earn his team a point at Anfield. Lost count on how many blocks and interceptions he made. It was an outstanding display where he seemed to be everywhere and was the difference between a draw and a defeat for Spurs. Well done also to Swansea’s Sigurdsson, Sunderland’s McClean and Chelsea’s Mata.
FORWARD: ROBIN VAN PERSIE (Arsenal)
The Dutchman put in another thrilling performance notching a hat-trick and creating two goals to destroy Blackburn. I know it is said every week but where would Arsenal be without him? He continues to lead by example. Shout out’s also to his strike partner Chamberlain, Man Utd’s Rooney, Wolves Doyle, Norwich’s Jackson and Man City’s Aguero.
MANAGER: SIR ALEX FERGUSON (Man Utd)
Have to give Wenger a mention for the way his team destroyed Blackburn but for me it has got to be Sir Alex. Time and time again Man Utd pulls out some late drama or a thrilling come back. This was just another, they looked dead and buried after Luiz scored the third, but as usual you can never count United out. The introduction of Scholes was pivotal, then the equaliser came from Hernandez who he introduced early in the second half.
UNSUNG HERO: MICAH RICHARDS (Man City)
Even though he is one of the few home town men in the squad, it still says a lot that in Kompany’s absence he is trusted to lead the team of superstars at 23. Every time I see him play that decison is totally justified. Lively and strong, a threat going forward and solid at the back he rarely has a bad game. Has to be pushing Johnson for that England spot.
GAME: CHELSEA 3-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
Although we were treated to eight goals at the Emirates, there could only ever be one winner. At Stamford Bridge after 50 minutes we all thought the points were Chelsea’s. But as per usual Man Utd are never beaten. When Rooney scored his first penalty with 32 minutes to go you sensed something could happen. Then with 22 minutes to go Rooney scored his second penalty and it truely was game on. Torres had a golden chance to make it 4-2 before Hernandez equalised with 5 minutes left on the clock, There was still time for Mata to force De Gea into a superb save from a free kick. Incredible game.
GOAL: PAPISS CISSE (Newcastle)
Mata scored a great volley but for me, Cisse’s was just that bit better. I mean on his debut, one touch and an instant strike from the edge of the box into the top corner was breathtaking. The way he controlled the ball and finished in an instant was instinctive, it showed signs of a top class striker who could do some real damage in this league.
FOOL: MARTIN ATKINSON (Referee Stoke v Sunderland)
I have seen some crazy decision by refs this season, there even were a few this week, but the decision to give Robert Huth a red card for what was a harmless sliding tackle was truly abysmal. I doubt the tackle would have been penalised in an under 12s game. When will these refs learn that tackling is a part of the game and if it is outlawed then it will see an end to the game we all know and love. It will also encourage more play actors to dive and get players sent off FOOL!
