Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the weekend.
Moment of the Week
There was late drama at the London Stadium as West Ham thought they’d won the clash of the Clarets with Aston Villa in the final seconds.
Tomas Soucek looked to have snatched a precious win for the Hammers in their chase for European football, only for VAR to rule the 96th-minute goal out for a handball from the Czech midfielder. In the melee that saw the midfielder bundle in, the ball brushed the arm of the 29-year-old whose celebrations were short-lived.
It was the second goal West Ham had had ruled out for handball, with the current interpretation of the law remaining contentious. Even more frustrating for West Ham was the lengthy delay required to come to a decision, a record five minutes and 37 seconds of VAR deliberation.
The correct decision, and Villa will breath a sigh of relief. Neutrals, however, will argue it’s another example of VAR acting as a fun sponge for late, unadulterated, Premier League drama.
???? Should the goal have stood?
Tomas Soucek thought he’d scored a 96th-minute winner… it was ruled out for handball!#WHUAVL #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/GRCbGSvC2O
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 17, 2024
Player of the Week
Fulham might face a fight to hold onto the services of Antonee Robinson in the summer, with the flying full-back capturing the attention this season. Robinson produced one of his best performances in the Premier League as Fulham beat Tottenham 3-0 in a statement performance.
A marauding threat all evening, he powered forward and skipped around Pape Matar Sarr to set up Rodrigo Muniz for a good chance early on, before recording an assist with another arcing ball into the Brazilian forward.
Putting the ????️ in Antonee Robinson.#BBCFootball #FULTOT pic.twitter.com/WI2o6XNIXU
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 16, 2024
The USA international leads the league for interceptions and ranks fifth among all players for tackles won, while his assist against Spurs made it six assists from open-play this season. Only West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal (7) has more among Premier League defenders.
Goal of the Week
The diving header – an art we do not see enough of in the modern game.
Michail Antonio’s stooping strike was a throwback effort from the West Ham forward, who demonstrated brilliant bravery to nod in an opener against Aston Villa.
How low can you go, @Michailantonio ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WzFyY50nwf
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 17, 2024
Miss of the Week
There’s a lot to like about Timo Werner.
The German has made a bright start at Spurs, runs relentlessly, and gets himself into good goalscoring positions time and time again.
Werner, however, is also capable of clangers and his bad miss at Fulham summarised a sorry night for Spurs. With the goal gaping (xG 0.83), he somehow turned wide.
Timo Werner’in zoru başardığı gol pozisyonu ????
(0,83 xG)
— Tottenham Hotspur Türkiye (@Hotspur_TR) March 17, 2024
Stat of the Week
Luke Berry is the first Luton player to score in all four top divisions of English football ???? pic.twitter.com/usZQCxCNAj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 16, 2024
Tweet of the Week
The Kate Middleton conspiracy theories have been wild this week.
Back in the mix after the international break, apparently.
They talking like she’s coming back in time for the title race off an ACL https://t.co/8mQJHvvg3y
— #DISUNOMICS (@_NOMICS) March 14, 2024
Read – Tweets of the Week: Carragher’s awkward moment, Kate Middleton, Ben White snub
See more – Five of the best Irish players in Premier League history
