Impressive Performances in Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week
After every weekend of the Premier League, football pundit Garth Crooks selects his Team of the Week. Let’s take a look at this week’s choices and discuss the game’s big talking points.
Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s regular goalkeeper, Alisson, was out of action due to illness, giving Kelleher a rare opportunity to play. The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper made two excellent saves against Burnley and showed great decision-making by staying on his feet. He denied Zeki Amdouni and David Datro Fofana, preventing them from scoring. Kelleher’s performance was crucial in securing Liverpool’s win.
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Arsenal had a dominant performance against West Ham, both in attack and defense. Saliba played a key role in their impressive defensive display. The Gunners defended with determination and even celebrated clearing the danger as if they had scored a goal. Saliba’s contribution was notable, but West Ham’s poor performance raises questions about manager David Moyes.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Maguire has faced criticism recently but has shown resilience and determination on the field. In Manchester United’s win against Aston Villa, Maguire provided an assist for their first goal and won every header in his vicinity. Regardless of opinions about his ability, Maguire consistently steps up when selected to play.
Gabriel (Arsenal)
Gabriel has been outstanding for Arsenal in recent weeks. He has been commanding in defense and has improved his decision-making, reducing the chances of giving away penalties or free-kicks. Gabriel has also made an impact in attack, scoring Arsenal’s third goal against West Ham. His partnership with Saliba resembles the formidable defensive duo of Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell from the ‘Invincibles’ era.
Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s performance against Crystal Palace was lackluster in the first half. However, the introduction of Raheem Sterling sparked a change in their game. Gallagher was one of the players who came alive, scoring two goals against his former club. Crystal Palace now finds themselves in a difficult position, wondering where their next point will come from.
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rice’s arrival at Arsenal has brought stability and quality to their midfield. He has replaced Granit Xhaka with his composed and level-headed playing style. Rice provided an excellent assist for Gabriel’s goal and scored a goal himself in Arsenal’s commanding win. His growth as a player is evident, and he now plays with confidence and authority.
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
Guimaraes has been an inspiration for Newcastle since his arrival at the club. He scored two exceptional goals in their win against Nottingham Forest, showcasing his skill and technique. The Brazilian midfielder has won the hearts of the Geordie fans with his passion and commitment. However, Newcastle was fortunate not to concede a penalty in the match.
Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
De Bruyne was left out of Manchester City’s starting lineup against Everton, suggesting they underestimated their opponents. However, his introduction in the second half changed the game. De Bruyne’s presence improved City’s attacking play, and his through ball led to Erling Haaland’s goal. His impact highlights his importance to the team.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland took advantage of defensive mistakes by Everton’s James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite to score two goals. Manchester City secured the win, keeping the pressure on league leaders Liverpool. However, City cannot afford to drop any points before their crucial match against Liverpool. The availability of Haaland and De Bruyne will be crucial for their title hopes.
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Toney has been in fantastic form since returning from an eight-month suspension. He scored a fabulous goal in Brentford’s win against Wolves, showcasing his sharpness in front of goal. With only one year left on his contract, Brentford may look to sell him, and Chelsea could be a potential destination.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Saka has shown tremendous growth since missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final. He confidently converted a penalty against West Ham, proving that he has overcome any lingering doubts. Saka has become one of the best players in the country and Arsenal’s most consistent goalscorer. However, Arsenal still lacks a top-class striker to compete for the title.
The Crooks of the Matter
Garth Crooks expressed his disagreement with the introduction of ‘blue cards’ to send off players for dissent or cynical fouls. He believes that these new rules would disrupt the game and potentially lead to more poorly judged decisions by officials. Crooks also criticized the idea of testing these rules in professional matches, referring to the issues faced with the introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) system. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin shares these concerns, stating that this is not football.
In conclusion, this week’s Premier League matches showcased some impressive performances from players across various teams. From goalkeepers making crucial saves to midfielders scoring exceptional goals, these players have proven their worth on the field. However, there are still areas for improvement, and teams must address their weaknesses to compete at the highest level.