Premier League Awards For Matchday 3: Best Game?

Matchday 3 Awards

The final weekend before the season’s first international break treated us to some genuinely surprising results. While Manchester City losing away to Brighton isn’t exactly an absolute shocker these days, it was eyebrow-raising at least.

But not as much as West Ham beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground!

Aston Villa were also humbled at home by Crystal Palace, while Bournemouth came away with all three points from their clash with Spurs.

Chelsea beat Fulham, Sunderland came back from behind to stun Brentford let on and, in the matchday’s headliner, Liverpool scraped by Arsenal thanks to a stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.

As usual, you can click here to check out all our Premier League Recaps from this round’s action.

And you can visit our YouTube channel for previews of each matchday, as well as predictions and hot takes on current EPL topics.

But back to the task at hand: who earned our Premier League awards this time? Read on to find out.

Best Player

For the second week in a row, this award goes to Everton’s Jack Grealish. He put in a stellar performance once again, registering two assists in the Toffees’ 3-2 away win against Wolves.

It seems that he can do no wrong at the moment and Everton fans should be reminded of the old adage: don’t fall in love with a loan player!

Best XI

GK – Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)

RB – Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)

CB – Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

CB – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

LB – Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)

CM – Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)

CM – Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)

CM – Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

RW – Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)

ST – Joao Pedro (Chelsea)

LW – Jack Grealish (Everton)

Best Goal

This week’s Best Goal award can only go to one player: Dominik Szoboszlai.

It was an amazing strike from over 30 yards out and there was absolutely nothing that David Raya could have done about it.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b-libJse8ew

Best Game

We’ll admit it, we did not have Wolves vs Everton being the best game of the matchday on our bingo cards.

Both sets of supporters were up for creating an amazing atmosphere at the Molineux despite the pouring rain, the players held nothing back in their challenges, the tempo was high at almost every moment of this game. Just a proper Prem fixture.

Given the bite in every challenge, it was perhaps a good decision on the Premier League’s part to delegate one of its most experienced referees, Michael Oliver, to this game.

WOLVES 2-3 EVERTON | Premier League highlights

Best Stats

Jack Grealish is only the second player to register multiple assists in both of his first two starts in the Premier League for a new club, having assisted two goals against each of Brighton and Wolves. The only other player to do so is Jeremy Goss for Norwich in August 1992.

Manchester United are the first Premier League side to ever record their first two goals of a new campaign thanks to opposition players’ own goals.

James Milner is now both the second-youngest and second-oldest Premier League goalscorer. His first came in 2002, his latest in Sunday’s match against Manchester City.

Best/Worst VAR Decision

Not too many complaints this week, but we do feel for Marco Silva and his Fulham side. It was a harsh decision to chalk off their opener against Chelsea on Saturday. Muniz had no intention whatsoever to step on Chalobah’s foot, it was a natural movement and his boot did have to land somewhere. Yes, it looks bad in slow motion, but given the fact that he didn’t mean to step on his opponent’s boot, it’s a harsh decision.

Best Substitution

Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor came on and managed to seal a late, late comeback win for the hosts against Brentford. It’s always a great moment for a sub to come on and make a vital contribution to their team’s fortunes, but credit needs to go to head coach Regis Le Bris as well, giving his side a fighting chance of staying in the Prem.

An honourable mention goes to Brajan Gruda as well, whose 89th minute goal against Manchester City sealed all three points for Brighton.

Funniest Moments

One of the best “stats” you’ll see all season.