Premier League Awards
A full docket of Premier League matches this weekend gave us plenty to think about when giving out our awards.
While Arsenal and City keep going strong for the title, Liverpool fell by the wayside, Sheffield got relegated, Manchester United failed to win again, and the relegation fight rumbled on.
If you would like to read about what we have learned this weekend, you can head here.
On with the awards!
Best Player
For his performance in the North London derby, we will go with Kai Havertz for our Best Player award.
He scored a goal and assisted another at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in a first half that saw the Gunners blitz into a 3-0 lead. Another argument for our choice is his general play and the way he linked the Arsenal departments on the pitch.
He has really found form during this season’s run-in, with 8 goals in his last 11 appearances, and, if Arsenal win the title, he will be one of the big reasons for their achievement.
Best XI
GK – Jordan Pickford (Everton)
CB – Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)
CB – Toti Gomes (Wolves)
CB – Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
RM – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
CM – Idrissa Gueye (Everton)
CM – Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
CM – Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
LM – Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
ST – Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
ST – Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Best Goal
Not an easy decision, but we think Jeffrey Schlupp’s thundering shot for Crystal Palace against Fulham was just gorgeous.
Here at EPLNews we have a soft spot for outside-the-box shots that go in the top corner, and this is a textbook example of one.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1784326657920373191
Best Game
It just has to be Tottenham vs Arsenal.
5 goals, plenty of drama, Spurs threatening a late comeback to derail the Gunners’ title push; it simply had it all.
HIGHLIGHTS | Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal (2-3) | Saka, Havertz | Derby day delight!
Best Stats
Arsenal have scored 16 goals from corners this Premier League season, equalling West Bromwich Albion’s tally from 2016-17.
Out of the table’s top 3, Arsenal have the most clean sheets in the 2024 calendar year, with 8. Manchester City have kept 5, while Liverpool only have 1.
Bournemouth now have 48 points this season, which is already a record for the club in the Premier League, with 3 games left to play.
Best/Worst VAR Decision
In terms of the decisions themselves, we don’t have big complaints this week. But what we found annoying was the delay to check whether Luis Diaz was offside against West Ham.
VAR took what felt like ages to draw lines for an offside that could be seen with the naked eye on the still. That was just an unnecessary delay, and we hope we will see less of that going forward.
Best Substitution
While we could give this award to Crystal Palace’s Schlupp as well based on the quality of the goal he scored after coming off the bench, we feel like there might be a more deserving candidate.
Step forward, Zeki Amdouni! Even though it was just a penalty, he was the coolest man at Old Trafford when he stepped forward to take it, 30 minutes after coming onto the pitch.
It was the goal that earned Burnley a point, which could prove massive in the relegation fight.
Funniest Moment
How can you tell an attacker has managed his first league goal of the season after 34 games? He does all the celebrations.
Antony finally broke his duck for the 2023-24 EPL season, and he showed his joy with a knee slide, fist pumps, a pregnancy celebration, and showing a Sonic the Hedgehog plush toy.
Enjoy it, lad!