Matchday 12 Awards

The Premier League is now back after 2024’s last international break and we had a lot of fun with the weekend’s games.

The most eyebrow-raising result was Tottenham’s 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City, especially since Spurs had lost their last game before the break at home against Ipswich. Another one we didn’t really see coming was Wolves beating Fulham 4-1 away.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have recorded wins, taking advantage of City’s crisis, while Brighton held on with 10 men to secure all three points in their south coast derby against Bournemouth.

As usual, you can also click here to check out all our reports from this weekend’s action.

So who gets our Premier League awards this week? Let’s have a look.

Best Player

Matheus Cunha has once again shown why he seems destined for bigger things than a relegation scrap with Wolves as he scored a brace and assisted a further goal on Saturday at Craven Cottage.

He has been genuinely impressive this calendar year and has that indefinable quality of making you think something is about to happen every time he has the ball at his feet.

Long may his entertaining form continue!

Best XI

GK – Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)

RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)

CB – Ben Davies (Tottenham)

CB – James Tarkowski (Everton)

LB – Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

CM – Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

CM – James Maddison (Tottenham)

CM – Tomas Soucek (West Ham)

RW – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

ST – Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

LW – Matheus Cunha (Wolves)

Best Goal

There were a few goals who could have won this award, but it goes to Matheus Cunha for his second strike in the game against Fulham. A powerful, yet controlled strike that hits the net so satisfyingly is always appreciated around EPLNews HQ.

Have a look at the highlights below, it was a great game.

Brazilian Brilliance! | Fulham 1-4 Wolves | Highlights

Best Game

Sure, Southampton vs Liverpool was dramatic, but Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace had us at the edge of our seats pretty much from beginning to end. Four goals, 30 shots (with 11 on target), a missed penalty from Tielemans, woodwork rattling left, right and centre, it was all just great.

Have a look at the highlights for yourself.

HIGHLIGHTS | Aston Villa 2-2 Crystal Palace

Best Stats

Ollie Watkins is now the first Villa player in history to be involved in 50 Premier League goals at Villa Park (35G, 15A).

This is the first time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career that his team concedes two or more goals in five consecutive games. It is also the first time that he has suffered five consecutive losses.

And one more about City’s losing streak. It is the first time since March 1956 that the reigning English champions lost five games in a row in all competitions, when Chelsea was in the same situation.

At the other end of the spectrum, Arne Slot is now tied with Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti for the fewest games needed to reach 10 Premier League wins (12).

Best/Worst VAR Decision

Many might argue that Leicester should have received two red cards in the first half of their game against Chelsea on Saturday.

First it was Wilfred Ndidi with a challenge on Cole Palmer for which he only got a yellow. We have to admit, we’ve seen players sent off for less.

And then it was Boubakary Soumare’s turn to make a very rash challenge on Joao Felix and somehow avoid a red.

Still a long way to go for VAR to earn our trust.

Best Substitution

For the feel good moment if nothing else, we’re giving this one to Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, who managed to score his first Premier League goal for the Gunners just four minutes after coming onto the pitch against Forest.

At 17 years and 247 days, he is now the second youngest goalscorer in the Prem for Arsenal behind a certain Cesc Fabregas, who was 134 days younger when he scored against Blackburn in August 2004.

Not a bad name to be associated with.

Funniest Moment

We usually don’t laugh at misfortune, but Noni Madueke blocking Cole Palmer’s shot to deny him a goal from four yards out is just too good.

At least the man himself found that there’s a funny side to the situation too.