Premier League Midweek Awards

Since we had 6 games this midweek, it is once again time to give out our awards here at EPLNews.

The most important games saw Arsenal thrash Chelsea to continue setting the pace in this thrilling title race, Everton beat Liverpool 2-0 in the 244th Merseyside derby to distance themselves from the relegation battle (and all but kick the Reds out of the title race as a bonus), and City taking Brighton apart on the south coast.

So what impressed us? What made us laugh? And what left us wondering where it all went wrong?

Best Player

While it would be easy to acknowledge Phil Foden for his 2 goals in City’s win against the Seagulls, he subjectively falls victim to the embarrassment of riches that Guardiola has at his disposal. In short, if not Foden, someone else would have ensured that Manchester City left the south coast with all 3 points.

Also, Jean-Philippe Mateta, we owe you a bit of an apology too.

Instead, our Best Player award goes to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He was a handful all evening for van Dijk & Co., ensuring that Everton get the second goal at Goodison Park and put some breathing room between themselves and the drop zone.

His performance brought about the first home win for Everton in the Merseyside derby since 2010.

Best XI

GK – Jordan Pickford (Everton)

RB –  Ben White (Arsenal)

CB – Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace)

CB – James Tarkowski (Everton)

LB – Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)

CM – Phil Foden (Manchester City)

CM – Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

RW – Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

LW – Kai Havertz (Arsenal)

ST – Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)

ST – Jean Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Best Goal

We just loved Kevin De Bruyne’s goal against Brighton. A diving header always has us excited, especially since it was the Belgian’s first ever headed goal in the Premier League.

HIGHLIGHTS! RAMPANT CITY CLOSE GAP ON GUNNERS | Brighton 0-4 Man City | Premier League

Best Game

Tough one, but just for the amount of drama it contained, this award goes to the match between two Uniteds, Manchester and Sheffield.

Here, have a look for yourselves.

Manchester United 4-2 Sheffield United | Premier League highlights

Best Stats

Mateta became the first Palace striker to score 10+ goals in a Premier League season since Christian Benteke did it in 2020-21.

Klopp had never lost at Goodison Park as Liverpool manager, and Everton had not won at home against their local rivals since 2010. Both things changed on Wednesday evening.

Sheffield United might not be worse than the infamous Derby County of 2007-08, as the Blades are already on 16 points (5 more than Derby), but the team from the Steel City did ‘achieve’ one pretty grim record. They have conceded 92 EPL goals so far this season, the most in a 38-game season.

Since they have 4 games left, Sheffield United might actually end up conceding the most goals EVER in a Premier League season. For now, that dubious honour belongs to Swindon Town, who shipped 100 goals in 42 games during the 1993-94 Premier League season.

Best/Worst VAR Decision

We don’t have any big complaints (or any pats on the back) for the VARs on duty this midweek.

Exactly as it should be.

Best Substitution

Since the most accomplished performances over these 6 games came from starting XI players, we must go with a slightly more obscure pick for this category: Everton’s Amadou Onana.

While nothing really sticks out, the way he went about keeping Liverpool at bay in the 15+ minutes he was on the pitch made us think that he might be suited to a bigger club come next season.

Funniest Moment

Just the idea of Arsenal and Manchester City constantly trying to one-up each other by blowing teams away was quite funny to us this midweek.

While Arsenal sent yet another statement of intent with their awe-inspiring 5-0 victory over Chelsea, it seemed like Manchester City took that personally and decided to pad their goal difference stat against Brighton, running out 4-0 winners at the Amex.

This is a title race that will most likely go down to the wire, and we’re here for the ride!