TEAM: CRYSTAL PALACE
This was a fairly close fought thing but Palace’s away day dismantling of a Sunderland side, who were in high spirits after the derby victory takes it. Their four goals in 14 minutes blew Sunderland away and to be fair it could have been more. Well done also to Aston Villa, Leicester and Man Utd who were close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: LUKASZ FABIANSKI (Swansea)
He was in top form, and had to be to help secure a point for his team. Everton were the better team and looked good throughout but could only get past the Swansea keeper once, which allowed Swansea to stay in the game and get a point from the spot. Shout out also to Chelsea’s Courtois, Burnley’s Heaton, Arsenal’s Ospina and Newcastle’s Krul.
DEFENDER: CHRIS SMALLING (Man Utd)
It was a very impressive performance from the United man and barring the first and the last 10 minutes of the game, he kept City’s forward line quiet. He also popped up with the fourth goal which is becoming a bit of a habit. Well done also to QPR’s Hill, Southampton’s Yoshida, Palace’s Delaney, Villa duo Vlaar & Bacuna, Leicester’s Schlupp, West Ham’s Cresswell and Burnley’s Mee.
MIDFIELDER: YANNICK BOLASIE (Crystal Palace)
This was an easy one. His blistering 11 minute hat-trick destroyed Sunderland in their own back yard. To be fair he’s been threatening a performance like this but not producing the goals, this time it all came to together at Sunderland’s expense. Shout out also to QPR duo Barton and Phillips, Southampton’s Schneiderlin, Everton’s McCarthy, WBA Fletcher, Stoke’s Arnautovic, Leicester’s Vardy, Liverpool duo Sterling and Henderson, Chelsea’s Fabregas and Man Utd’s Young.
FORWARD: CRISTIAN BENTEKE (Aston Villa)
Following his hat-trick against QPR in midweek and his goal against Spurs it seems he’s back to his very best. He’s been rejuvenated since Sherwood took over and now has eight goals in his last six games. Defenders beware. Well done also to Palace’s Murray, Liverpool’s Coutinho, Man City’s Aguero and West Ham’s Valencia.
MANAGER: TIM SHERWOOD (Aston Villa)
Luis van Gaal and Alan Pardew deserve a massive mention but I just had to give it to Tim. After being unceremoniously dumped by Spurs following what I thought was a not too bad time there. He returned with his new team a get a morale boosting victory with a clean sheet to boot. Not too shabby.
UNSUNG HERO: ANTONIO VALENCIA (Man Utd)
He’s played in several positions for United and I feel his contributions have gone unnoticed. In certain games his attacking abilities have been on show and in others, such as against City, his defensive qualities impressed me. His pace is a great asset but for a former winger, his defending and positional sense has really come on leaps and bounds, making him look like a solid right back, while being effective going forward.
GAME: WEST BROM 2-3 LEICESTER CITY
West Brom opened the scoring when Fletcher flicked in Brunt’s corner from the near post (8). Leicester equalised when a quick, long free kick was flicked on by Ulloa into Nugent’s path, who took it well in his stride and slid home. Gardener put West Brom up shortly after when his deflected shot crept in after Ideye’s knock back (26). Leicester equalised late on when Huth headed in Wasilewski’s far post header (80). Vardy won it for Leicester in stoppage time when he ran virtually the length of the half, beating two defenders to finish in the far corner.
GOAL: RAHEEM STERLING (Liverpool) v Newcastle
From a long, high, diagonal pass from Henderson on the right. Sterling controlled the ball instantly in the box. He then cut inside on his right past one defender, then touched it past another and curled a lovely effort into the far corner of the net.
FOOL: MAN CITY
There’s not much to really say apart from a few short months ago the talk was the League title was between Chelsea and Man City. Now, after an unexplained, abysmal run in 2015. The mega rich, Arab oil money run team is languishing in fourth and at risk of being caught by the 5th or 6th place team and missing out on the Champions League. So the question is Man City, how are you fourth in what was a two-horse race? FOOLS!
