Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the weekend, featuring Newcastle’s hero of the hour and some Rodrigo Muniz magic.
Moment of the Week
The Easter weekend schedule began with a bang as Newcastle beat West Ham in a thriller at St James’ Park, with the Magpies fighting back from 3-1 down to edge a seven-goal thriller.
Harvey Barnes was the hero for Eddie Howe’s team as the winger came off the bench to score a late brace, transforming the narrative of the game and keeping alive Newcastle’s hopes of reaching Europe for next season.
Barnes has had a frustrating first season at Newcastle after arriving from Leicester, with injuries having restricted him to just three league starts, though this could be the moment which kick-starts his career with the club.
After racing clear to equalise with seven minutes to go, Barnes bent in a beautiful 90th-minute winner as he skipped around Kalvin Phillips and curled an effort into the far corner.
UNBELIEVABLEEE!!! ????
Harvey Barnes makes it 4-3 Newcastle! ???? pic.twitter.com/PuvDyprX4m
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 30, 2024
Cue pandemonium around St James’.
Player of the Week
Alexis Mac Allister is one of the in-form players in the Premier League right now and inspired Liverpool to a win that moved the Reds clear at the top of the table this weekend.
Mac Allister put on a midfield masterclass against former side Brighton, the continuation of a run of form that has seen the Argentine grow in influence on Jurgen Klopp’s side. He dictated the game as Liverpool regrouped after falling behind to Danny Welbeck’s early opener, breaking lines with his incisive passing at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister for Liverpool vs. Brighton:
◉ Most passes in final third (33)
◉ Most chances created (5)
◉ Most assists (1)
◎ 58/63 passes completed
◎ 6x possession won
◎ 5 duels won
◎ 3 tacklesHe was sensational against his former side. ???? #LIVBHA pic.twitter.com/8X8JYlOCE8
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) March 31, 2024
Mac Allister recorded five key passes and completed three tackles and three interceptions while assisting Mohamed Salah’s winner with a brilliant line-breaking pass through congested traffic.
At £35m he has been one of the steals of the season and showed Brighton exactly what they’re missing this weekend.
Goal of the Week
Rodrigo Muniz can not do much wrong right now and the Fulham forward extended his record to eight goals in his last eight appearances with a cracker against Sheffield United. Fulham fought back from 3-1 down to rescue a result at Bramall Lane and Muniz completed the comeback with a moment of magic.
The big Brazilian acrobatically equalised after connecting with Adama Traore’s cross with a brilliant bicycle kick.
He’s in fantastic form right now.
Red-hot Rodrigo! ???? pic.twitter.com/yYiEHblQ6D
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 30, 2024
Save of the Week
Andre Onana was perhaps the sole Manchester United player to come out with credit from a disappointing draw at Brentford, with the Cameroon goalkeeper certainly well-worked on a difficult night for the Red Devils in west London.
He made four big saves as Brentford peppered the visitor’s goal with efforts, including this impressive double stop. His performances have improved considerably since a shaky start at Old Trafford.
What a SAVE from Andre Onana ???? pic.twitter.com/KYFA7ybeAj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 30, 2024
Stat of the Week
The pre-international break optimism at Manchester United evaporated over the weekend, as the Red Devils delivered a dreadful showing at Brentford. A draw might suggest complete disaster was avoided – but it was tough viewing.
Brentford recorded 31 shots on goal and hit the woodwork FOUR times, with Manchester United having conceded more shots (181) than any other team in the Premier League this season. There are big issues for Erik ten Hag to address at Old Trafford.
In 2024, Man Utd have conceded 181 shots in the Premier League, more than any other side.
Leaky. ☔️☔️☔️ pic.twitter.com/3kkWVqiQJs
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 30, 2024
Tweet of the Week
Judas when Jesus came down for breakfast on Easter Sunday 33 AD pic.twitter.com/3QvwjICInt
— T G J (@thatguysjokes) March 30, 2024
Quote of the Week
You can always count on Roy Keane to say exactly what he’s thinking, can’t you?
The former Manchester United captain did not hold back on Erling Haaland’s all-round game.
“He’s almost like a League 2 player” ????
Roy Keane and Micah Richards were not impressed with Erling Haaland ???? pic.twitter.com/kbz0qNrTFQ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 31, 2024
An honourable mention must go to this outstanding on-air gaffe from TNT’s Lynsey Hipgrave.
Has a presenter ever wanted the ground to swallow them up more?
Brilliant.
“I shouldn’t have said that. I should NOT have said that” ????@lynseyhipgrave1 couldn’t wait to get off air after saying THIS at the end of the Newcastle v West Ham game ???? pic.twitter.com/XeXHB5lYZk
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 31, 2024
Donkey of the Week
Sorry, Kalvin Phillips, but this isn’t it.
We’re not advocating for one moment the entitlement some football fans feel to abuse players, but this reaction was not okay. The West Ham fans travelled around five hours each way to watch their side at St James’ Park, spending hard-earned money from positions far less privileged than Phillips.
Yep, Kalvin Phillips can fuck off back to City. pic.twitter.com/Vp0zXnK0Cf
— Whucentre (@Whu_Centre) March 30, 2024
Read – Premier League weekend: Five things we learned
See more – Premier League Team of the Week – Matchday 30
