Our Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the midweek football action.
Moment of the Week
Newcastle sent out a statement of intent with a big win at West Ham, a fourth consecutive win to maintain the Magpies’ momentum.
It was a fantastic performance from Eddie Howe’s team, who have shown no signs of falling away in the race for Champions League football. If anything, Newcastle are accelerating on as others around them stutter.
The Magpies are FLYING! ???????? pic.twitter.com/oAWPSgb2v6
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2023
Newcastle’s well discussed takeover had been expected to upset the established order, but few envisaged it happening this quick. Even as the fifth-highest spenders this season, it has been unexpected progress from a team working in unison.
Howe’s squad might lack the individual star power of the ‘Big Six’, but he has built a side with a miserly defence and one willing to work together. Newcastle are more of a unit at this point in time than either Chelsea or Tottenham, while the same can be said of Liverpool and Manchester United right now.
The bright lights of the Champions League were a distant dream last summer, but hope is beginning to turn to an expectation that Newcastle will return to Europe’s elite next season.
Player of the Week
Joelinton earns our Player of the Week accolade, following a fantastic box-to-box performance from Newcastle’s raging bull.
The Brazilian returned to the starting side after a three game absence and was in superb form at West Ham. Composed in possession, combative without the ball and the driving force of the Magpies’ midfield, Joelinton’s influence was stamped all over Newcastle’s 5-1 win at the London Stadium.
Joelinton. That's the Tweet. pic.twitter.com/VvQSbf0q6N
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2023
The midfielder moved to six goals in all competitions with a brace, matching his best-ever total for Newcastle. He scored his side’s second after confidently rounding Lukasz Fabianski and added the fifth with a strike across the Polish goalkeeper late on, capping a fine evening’s work for a player transformed on Tyneside across the past 18 months.
It’s been said before, but it really is difficult to believe that this is the same footballer who so badly struggled for form and confidence before Eddie Howe’s arrival.
Goal of the Week
Michael Keane, take a bow.
There was no doubt many inside Goodison Park urging against the defender’s decision to shoot from distance against Spurs, with the centre-back having never previously scored a Premier League goal from outside the box.
Keane, however, thought ‘f*** it’.
Everton elation followed, as Keane blasted home a last-minute bolt from the blue to rescue his side a point on Merseyside.
MICHAEL KEANE WHAT A STRIKE THAT IS! ???????? pic.twitter.com/BKfO8tFuXT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2023
Stat of the Week
Chelsea failed to find a breakthrough despite dominating the chances during the club’s goalless draw with Liverpool, a result which extended their poor record against the Premier League’s top teams this season.
The west Londoners have now won just once in 14 attempts against teams currently in the Premier League’s top half.
1 – Chelsea have only won one game against the Premier League's current top 10 this season (P14 W1 D6 L7 F7 A16), failing to score in their last five such games. Only Southampton, who are bottom of the league, have won fewer games against the current top 10 (0). Pushovers. pic.twitter.com/5jOc5OFDyN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 6, 2023
Goals remain an issue for the Blues, who have scored just 29 goals in their 29 Premier League games this season. It’s the club’s lowest return at this stage of a league campaign since 1924.
Quote of the Week
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool have no more room for error in their pursuit of the top four. It’s three without a win for the Reds after a goalless draw at Chelsea in midweek, a result which leaves Liverpool ten points adrift of the Champions League places.
Up next, Arsenal at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp admitted that Liverpool's hopes of finishing in the top four are fading, and suggested that his side need to win "pretty much all the games" while relying on defeats for their rivals. pic.twitter.com/5UzXL5qVXH
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 5, 2023
Photo of the Week
What an image this is.
Lukasz Fabianski had a howler during West Ham’s heavy loss to Newcastle, with his cock-up for the fourth goal spawning a brilliant photo. Having come out and messed up his attempted clearance, he allowed Alexander Isak to lift the loose ball into the goal.
The duo stood hands on hips watching on – emotions in contrast – as Isak’s effort made it four for the visitors.
Fabianski and Isak waiting patiently for the ball to roll into an empty net.
Instantly iconic ???? pic.twitter.com/rsS8aSqrUC
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 6, 2023
Cue the memes…
Isak and Fabianski peckish after the match#newcasteunited #nufc @NUFC pic.twitter.com/LgABZtqLy5
— Sean Bamlett (@nufc_sean) April 5, 2023
Donkey of the Week
Fabianski’s faux-pas earns him a dishonourable mention this week, with the goalkeeper’s brain-fart all but ending West Ham’s hopes of a comeback against Newcastle.
Rash, reckless and costly from the Poland international, whose nightmare leaves West Ham firmly in relegation trouble.
Quick thinking and excellent composure from Alex Isak! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/05h2Pf11Co
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2023
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Midweek action
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