Matchday 37 Awards
Now that the last game of the matchday, between Aston Villa and Liverpool, is out of the way (and what a game it was!), it is time for the EPLNews matchday awards.
The title race did not provide much drama this weekend, with City battering Fulham and Arsenal winning at Old Trafford, while the relegation battle is now (almost) decided, with Sheffield United, Burnley and, almost certainly, Luton going down.
You can read reports for all Premier League games here. And you can also check out what we’ve learned from the action on Saturday and Sunday.
As usual, we take a long look at the things that impressed us over the weekend and decide who deserves our recognition, for good and bad.
Best Player
When you see that City netted 4 goals in one game, you would expect the scorers’ list to include 1 or 2 from Haaland. For their win at Craven Cottage, replace the Norwegian with Josko Gvardiol and you would be right.
The Croatian defender is in an incredible run of form, with 4 goals in his last 5 Premier League appearances. To make matters even better for Guardiola’s side, his recent attacking form has not affected the defensive effort he puts in. With Gvardiol in the starting XI, City have secured 3 clean sheets in the last 4 EPL games.
To top it all off, on Saturday he could have become the first defender in Premier League history to score a hat-trick, but declined to take a penalty in injury time.
Here you can read his post-match interview, where he motivates the decision.
What a lad!
Best XI
GK – Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace) – 7 saves
RB – Pedro Porro (Tottenham) – 1 goal
CB – Jarell Quansah (Liverpool) – 1 goal
LB – Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City) – 2 goals, clean sheet
CM – Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) – 2 assists
CM – Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) – 2 assists
CM – Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – 1 assist
RW – Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) – 1 goal, 1 assist
LW – Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) – 1 goal, great overall play
ST – Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) – 1 goal
Best Goal
Plenty of great contenders this week: Hudson-Odoi’s goal for Forest vs Chelsea, Soucek’s volley for West Ham, Porro’s belter for Spurs against Burnley and Olise’s long range shot for Palace were all outstanding.
However, our award this week goes to Jarell Quansah for his header against Villa. The way time seems to freeze once he makes the jump, the loop of the ball and the clip off the post make this such a satisfying goal to watch.
Here it is, in all its glory, along with the other highlights of last night’s game.
Quansah & Gakpo Goals in Six Goal Thriller | Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool | Highlights
Best Game
Overall, it just has to be Villa vs Liverpool.
This was another game involving the Reds and 6 goals (shared, this time), a great goal, late drama, and breathless tempo.
Just prime Premier League viewing.
Best Stat
Chelsea have conceded 61 goals this season in the EPL. This happens to be the same as they conceded in the first 3 seasons combined under Jose Mourinho (2004-05: 15; 2005-06: 22; 2006-07: 24).
Leakier than the Old Trafford roof.
Best/Worst VAR Decision
We are very much looking forward to the implementation of the semi-automated offside system starting next season.
Almost every offside call seemed to take ages to review on Monday evening. Hopefully this will be a thing of the past come August.
Best Substitution
Jhon Duran’s cameo for Villa was just what his team needed, as they were 2 goals down against Liverpool.
He made up the gap with 2 strikes – the second one quite lucky – to give the Aston Villa supporters something to cheer about as they await confirmation of their participation in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Funniest Moment
Paul Merson saying he’ll get a Spurs tattoo if Manchester City drop points on Tuesday evening has the makings of an early-2000’s comedy.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1789718581225128175
We wonder if Postecoglou can recommend a tattoo artist.