This might be the first time I make a keeper my star man, but I’ve got to pick Dean Henderson, what a game! He was absolutely brilliant for Crystal Palace, it was probably the performance of his life. I know he got a real break with that handball outside the box, but you just knew he would go on and have a blinder after that! I’m delighted for him.
Ezri Konsa was brilliant for Aston Villa against Tottenham. He scored that vital opener and was so solid throughout, Spurs barely had a shot in the game. It’s been a great few seasons for him and he seems to keep getting better.
Another Palace player, and one that goes under the radar, Chris Richards. He was brilliant against Manchester City, he was quick, strong and really didn’t give much away. Erling Haaland barely had a
sniff in the game and that’s down to that entire backline.
I’ve liked Nikola Milenkovic all season, he was superb against West Ham. He scored the winning goal and was just a colossus at the back, heading and clearing everything that came his way. He’s probably
in with a shout of making the team of the season, that’s how good he’s been.
Daniel Munoz at Palace was brilliant to watch. I don’t know what they feed him, but his energy was ridiculous, he was up and down that right-hand side all game long! Young Nico O’Reilly looks a good
prospect for City but he had a tough game here against such a top wing-back.
Marc Cucurella has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season. He’s followed up that brilliant performance at the Euros with an excellent season. He’s developed a real eye for goal, and we saw that again at the weekend.
One last Crystal Palace player, I have to pick Eberechi Eze! I’ve got to say, he made that finish look so much easier than it was, that was so classy. He has been brilliant for Palace since he came from QPR, it’s a fantastic story and he seems like such a great lad as well. I was delighted for him and that puts him in the history books. He’s got to be one of Palace’s greatest ever players now!
Declan Rice was magnificent against Newcastle. Aside from the goal, which I’ll get to, he led his side and dominated that midfield. It was a great battle against the likes of Bruno Guimarães and Sandro
Tonali but Declan probably got the better of them. On the goal, what a strike that was!
Iliman Ndiaye’s been a great bit of business for Everton, he’s probably been their best player this season. He’s a bit of a throwback player, he’s a real maverick talent and you saw that again with the way he took his two goals. He made history too, the last man to score on that famous Goodison pitch. It was
great to see some of the scenes after the game, what an amazing stadium it’s been and I’ve got to say, I’m really sad to see it go. I know it’s the modern way but I do think we lose a little bit of the soul of English football when we lose these iconic grounds.
Raul Jimenez has quietly had a very good season for Fulham. It’s taken him some time to get back to the form we saw at Wolves but that’s him now up to 12 goals in the league this season, that’s a decent return. If you needed any reminder of just how good he is in the air this was it, what a header that was!
How can I not pick Jamie Vardy? What a moment, the perfect ending to a remarkable story. 200 goals for Leicester and I’m delighted for him; he’s had one of the great careers in recent memory. Obviously, that’s his last game for the club and I’m curious to see where he’ll end up.
Manager of the week – One of my easiest picks, Oliver Glasner made history for Palace. Whatever happens now, he will forever be a Palace legend. He’s done a brilliant job at Selhurst Park and I know a few clubs have been linked with him but I can see him sticking around for at least another season, particularly with the club now in Europe!
*Odds subject to change.
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