Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the weekend.
Moment of the Week
There were fireworks at St James’ Park as Newcastle ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in a cracker.
It was a game wrapped in flash points and controversy, from Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes avoiding red cards for controversial challenges, to a Newcastle winner that had THREE separate incidents checked by VAR before being given.
It’s fair to say that Mikel Arteta was far from happy at full-time, with the Spaniard delivering this box-office press conference to slate the standard of officiating in the Premier League. Though he has a point with the catalogue of bad decisions this season, it was head loss of the highest order from Arteta.
We’re here for it.
A press conference for the ages from Arteta, this one.
I can already hear the Premier League Years voiceover saying “Guy Fawkes’ weekend went off with a bang at St James’ Park as Mikel Arteta gave the officials a rocket after defeat to Newcastle.”pic.twitter.com/IlVSHWigwL
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) November 4, 2023
An honourable mention must go to Luis Diaz’s late goal for Liverpool at Luton. A draw at Kenilworth Road was a disappointing result for Jurgen Klopp’s men, but the circumstances surrounding their equaliser was a sweet moment. Diaz returned to the squad despite the ongoing situation regarding his father, who was kidnapped in Colombia last week and is still missing.
The winger netted a stoppage-time equaliser for the Reds and was visibly emotional at full-time. We – and football – hope a positive conclusion is found to the situation as soon as possible.
Luis Diaz at full-time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XYiLIMpRLZ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 5, 2023
Player of the Week
Probably the easiest selection for this award, all season.
Jeremy Doku was a delight to watch as Manchester City battered Bournemouth this weekend, with The Belgian Flash in exhilarating form at the Etihad.
Doku became just the eighth player in Premier League history to record four assists in a single game and, at 21, is the youngest to do so. His four-assist haul came after opening the scoring in City’s 6-1 win, in a performance which perfectly showcased his sky-high potential.
The visitors could not cope with Doku’s speed, footwork and end product, with Doku’s dancing feet mesmerising to watch in the build up to Bernardo Silva’s first goal. His fourth assist showed another side to the summer recruit, as he carved open the Cherries with a pass in behind for Silva to score a second.
An incredible four assists and a goal for @JeremyDoku helped us to a 6-1 win on home soil ????
Best bits ???? pic.twitter.com/yriRasAf12
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 4, 2023
No player in the Premier League is completing more dribbles per 90 minutes (4.7) than Doku, who showed against Bournemouth he has the end product to match. After five goal involvements this weekend, the winger is averaging a goal or assist every 71 minutes in the Premier League this season. A superb start to build upon.
Goal of the Week
It ultimately counted for little, as West Ham were beaten at Brentford, but Mohammed Kudus’ equaliser for the Irons was straight out of the top-drawer.
The Ghana international has now scored five goals in seven starts since his arrival from Ajax, but this was the best of the lot, as Kudus connected with Michail Antonio’s cross to score an acrobatic effort against the Bees.
A goal so good, Mohammed Kudus need a sit down! ????#BREWHU pic.twitter.com/ri1NbIvB5R
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 4, 2023
Now we’re not in the habit of handing out awards for penalties, but it’s fair to say Oliver Norwood’s last-gasp pen for Sheffield United deserves its flowers.
The Blades had the worst start to a season in Premier League history after 10 games, but are up and running after beating Wolves this weekend. There were no nerves from Norwood, who slammed home this 100th minute spot-kick in emphatic fashion.
Never in doubt. ????
Ollie Norwood. ???? pic.twitter.com/lpbJ3QPswA
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 4, 2023
Miss of the Week
Darwin Nunez, continually, combines the sublime with the ridiculous.
This very much fits into that latter category.
Just, how?
“Goodness, gracious, me… that was a MISS” ????
Flag goes up anyway but HOW has Darwin Núñez not put this in the back of the net?! pic.twitter.com/KLusRRd3Rt
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 5, 2023
Stat of the Week
Brighton are always a fun watch and this season has been no different, with the Seagulls having become the first team in the Premier League era to both score AND concede in their opening 11 games of a season.
11 – Brighton are the first team to both score and concede in each of their first 11 games in an English top-flight campaign since Tottenham Hotspur in 1988-89. Popcorn. pic.twitter.com/Uo7apGnUvo
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 4, 2023
It’s now 15 games without a clean sheet for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, their longest run without a league shut out since 1996.
Leaky.
Tweet of the Week
Kai Havertz – football genius.
Arteta to Kai Havertz after that tackle getting 3 Newcastle players booked pic.twitter.com/Xs66N8zRBi
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphy__) November 4, 2023
Donkey of the Week
It’s time to talk about Antony.
The media can be too quick to write off big-money signings as flops, but Antony is almost 18 months into his career at Manchester United and must be rapidly running out of chances.
The Brazilian was dreadful during his side’s 1-0 win at Fulham, a fixture which saw the frustrating worst of the winger. It was the usual mix of needless tricks, wastefulness in good areas, and no impact.
This was a player Erik ten Hag knew well from Ajax and was prepared to spend £82m on.
Antony too often slows attacks, rarely beats his man, and has offered very little in terms of end product. His substitution at Fulham was cheered and, in truth, that was no surprise on this performance.
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Matchday 11
Read Also – Tweets of the Week: The Rock goes full David Beckham, Bellingham’s mum, poppy season
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