Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the past seven days.
This week we look at two managers butting heads, James Maddison’s enjoyable interview and Paul Pogba’s statement goal. There’s also Bertrand Traoré’s excellent displays, Karl Darlow’s howler, and Frank Lampard’s beef with a journalist.
Moment of the Week
What’s not to love about managers beefing on the sideline? It’s a dying art form that needs to be resurrected. Whatever Sean Dyche said to Jürgen Klopp on his way down the tunnel for halftime, it instantly enraged the Liverpool manager. Round two should be on pay-per-view.
Jurgen Klopp & Sean Dyche exchange strong words in the tunnel at half-time ???? pic.twitter.com/rvnGEWMBiX
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 21, 2021
Player of the Week
Bertrand Traoré had the added advantage over most other players by having two games this week, but the Burkinabé winger was brilliant in both fixtures. The former Ajax man was threatening against Manchester City and can consider himself unlucky not to be involved in a goal, but he made up for that against Newcastle United with a first-half goal.
What a finish! ????
Traore doubles #AVFC's lead just before half-time!
Watch live on Sky Sports PL ????
Follow #AVLNEW online here ???? https://t.co/Lp6ZsKLaOP pic.twitter.com/DoS5uK3fda— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 23, 2021
Traoré begins the move with a good pass to Jack Grealish, but his run into the box to meet the ball again was excellent, while the finish was superb. One of the underrated signings of the season so far.
Goal of the Week
A left-footed stunner from outside the box to win the game against Fulham for Manchester United. Was this a statement goal from Paul Pogba?
https://twitter.com/FootyFaithfuI/status/1352010500553527297?s=20
This alternate angle is even more satisfying. Although it must be asked what were the Fulham defenders doing letting him have all that time and space to shoot.
Out of this W????rld ????#MUFC @PaulPogba pic.twitter.com/T06ZlE0UOP
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 21, 2021
Quote of the Week
There is so much to love about James Maddison‘s post-match interview with Sky Sports, but remarking how Frank Lampard was one of the best at arriving late into the box when the Leicester City midfielder had just done that very thing to Chelsea and bigging up Jack the analyst were two highlights for us.
???? "We looked at Chelsea and we knew they switch off sometimes from set pieces."
???? "@Carra23 said he needs to get his numbers up if he wants to be a top player."James Maddison speaks to Sky Sports about Leicester's win that sends them top of the Premier League. pic.twitter.com/yYjV31xHX5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 19, 2021
Save of the Week
Alphonse Areola bundled Bruno Fernandes’ cross which led directly to Edinson Cavani’s goal, but the Fulham goalkeeper made a series of top class saves to keep the home side in the contest. His stop from a close-range Cavani header in the second-half was the pick of the bunch.
Miss of the Week
Divock Origi made his first Premier League start for Liverpool this season on Thursday, and reminded us all why that was the case when missed a golden opportunity to score from a one-v-one situation.
https://twitter.com/FootyFaithfuI/status/1352358770664476672?s=20
Far too much power in the finish and it cost the Reds dearly, as an Ashley Barnes penalty won it for Burnley in the second-half, ending their 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield.
Another miss that wasn’t quite as galling but still should have been finished was this Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang attempt against Newcastle United.
WHAT A CHANCE ????
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seems to have an open goal but hits the post
???? Watch on Sky Sports PL
???? Follow #ARSNEW here: https://t.co/RXWSqgPuVJ
???? Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/vFn4iPzKGE— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2021
The French-Gabonese striker ended the match with a brace in a 3-0 win for Arsenal so he’s probably not too beat up about it.
Stat of the Week
Here is a selected list of players who have scored more Premier League goals than Liverpool in 2021: Andy Carroll, Toby Alderweireld, Jeffrey Schlupp, Lewis Dunk, Michael Keane, Ivan Cavaleiro, Serge Aurier, Wilfred Ndidi and, obviously, Ashley Barnes.
Howler of the Week
For some reason Karl Darlow forgot he was able to use his hands when Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins contested a high ball in the box. What was he thinking?
#AVFC get the breakthrough! ????
Fabian Schar's attempted clearance falls to Ollie Watkins who nods in the opener!
Watch live on Sky Sports PL ????
Follow #AVLNEW online here ???? https://t.co/8fY83E6KT1 pic.twitter.com/kElDA0fkS7— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 23, 2021
Donkey of the Week
During his pre-match press conference on Friday, Frank Lampard bizarrely went in two-footed on The Athletic’s Liam Twomey after the reporter asked him a pretty soft question. The Chelsea boss said Twomey was “like a social media pundit” with his writing.
???? "Their confidence would be shot if they read the pieces you write at the minute. The confirmation bias is like a social media pundit to try and get a reaction."
Frank Lampard fires back at reporter Liam Twomey in his press conference pic.twitter.com/vcekiaM6je
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 22, 2021
Managers are, of course, perfectly entitled to take issue with something a journalist writes about his team, but this felt like an incredibly unnecessary jibe. It also showed that he is clearly feeling the pressure and his players will know he’s rattled, if they didn’t already before now.
Dishonourable Mention: Tyrone Mings for not understanding what the offside rule is.
Read: 90’s Gold: Why Norwich City’s nearly men of 1992/93 still hold a place in our hearts
See Also: Wayne Rooney: The tenacious street footballer with the mind of a manager
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