Two hattricks, loads of goals and incredible skills were on display and here are our awardees for the best moments in a week of action.
Best player – Mark Flekken
Brentford may have lost to Manchester City, but their goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, put in a solid shift.
The 30-year-old stopped 12 shots on target from Manchester City’s relentless attack to prevent a wicked whopping. That was a record for the most saves in a Premier League match this season.
He also assisted Neal Maupay’s opener in the 21st minute, which came against the run of play, making him the first goalkeeper to register an assist in the Premier League this season.
Best XI
Two hattricks were scored in matchweek 23 of the Premier League, by Phil Foden and Matheus Cunha.
Foden’s hattrick helped Manchester City to a come-back-from-behind win against Brentford.
Cunha also scored a hattrick to turn the tide in Wolves’ favour at Stamford Bridge, earning his team their second big win after they defeated Manchester City earlier in the campaign.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho pulled the strings for the Red Devils against David Moyes’ West Ham United over the weekend and scored two second-half goals to down the Hammers.
It was a record-breaking week in the league this season, thanks to the following players that make up our best XI of the week:
GK: Mark Flekken – Brentford
DF: Kieran Trippier – Newcastle United
DF: Lewis Dunk – Brighton and Hove Albion
DF: Joachim Andersen – Crystal Palace
DF: Alex Moreno – Aston Villa
DM: Pascal Groß – Brighton and Hove Albion
CM: Ross Barkley – Luton Town
CM: Phil Foden – Manchester City
LW: Pedro Neto – Wolves
RW: Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United
ST: Matheus Cunha – Wolves
Best goal
Alex Moreno started only his fifth game in the Premier League against Sheffield United this weekend, due to a series of knocks that have kept him sidelined for a large chunk of the season. However, the 30-year-old marked his return to the Villans’ starting lineup with an incredible volley to down the Blades at Bramall Lane.
It was a goal of immense quality, even though he was left free to set himself up and blast the ball past the Sheffield defence.
Best game
Newcastle United vs Luton Town is a game that nobody would bet on to be as exciting as it was.
The Magpies were pegged back by the Hatters at St James’ Park until Eddie Howe made some tactical changes to ensure that his team kept a point at home.
Luton, who are slowly on the rise and are proving their worth as a Premier League team, scored four goals and continued to press for more. The game ended four-all and both sets of managers were applauded for their tactical displays.
It was a true 2023/24 season classic.
Best stats
Matchweek 23 of the 2023/24 Premier League produced 45 goals, which is a league-high for most goals scored in a 1-game match week.
The lowest scoreline was the one-all draw played at the Vitality Stadium between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. Only West Ham and Sheffield failed to find the back of the net in their games, and only four teams (Bournemouth, Forest West Ham and Sheffield) scored less than two goals.
This season is on its way to becoming the highest-scoring season in the last half-decade.
Best/Worst VAR decision
The week went by without incident so there were not many VAR incidents to review and award as the best or the worst.
All of them were spot on, including the two red cards that were shown to Liverpool and Bournemouth players.
Best substitution
Harvey Barnes’ 63rd-minute introduction in the 4 – 4 draw involving Newcastle and Luton was a game-changer for the hosts.
They were 4 – 2 down when Eddie Howe took off Miguel Almiron for the Englishman, whose running further tired out the resolute Hatters’ defence.
Eventually, his involvement led to two goals, with him getting the equaliser to earn Newcastle a point.
Funniest moment of the match week
Alejandro Garnacho’s celebration without context looked like he was mimicking his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. With context, the celebration screams peak banter.
Before the match, Angel Di Maria encouraged him to pay tribute to Lionel Messi if he scores a goal. The teenage winger scored two and ignored his senior colleague’s words by celebrating the way Messi’s biggest rival once famously did.
Social media is awash with memes and banter comments on the issue after the commentators had a good laugh at Messi’s expense.