premier league weekly awards
in Opinion/Features, Weekly features

Premier League Weekly Awards: Where 19-year-old debutants rule all

It’s time for the Premier League Weekly Awards, where The Football Faithful reward the very best, and worst, of England’s top-flight from the week gone by.

Moment of the Week

It’s a wonderful thing to score on debut, but to do it for your boyhood club that you’ve supported all your life, as a 19-year-old playing alongside your brother, against Manchester United… well, that’s just the stuff of dreams, isn’t it?

Matty Longstaff fulfilled that dream when he lined out for Newcastle United on Sunday evening, scoring a long range effort to give the Magpies a huge 1-0 win over the Red Devils.

Of his goal, the midfielder told Sky Sports: “It was hit and hope and rather than a placed shot but it’s in the back of the net. You can’t describe the feeling, running away to the fans, it was surreal … To get the goal in front of the Gallowgate, it’s that little bit special.”

Take a bow, son.

Matty Longstaff left ‘speechless’ after dream debut against Man United

Player of the Week

Longstaff was the only 19-year-old to score on his full debut this past weekend, as Aaron Connolly scored twice for Brighton in their 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Irishman, who had played four games off the bench this season, put in a terrific display up front for the Seagulls, demonstrating a keen awareness inside the penalty box, as well as being able to shoot accurately from range.

Connolly has enjoyed a meteoric rise this year, winning the PL2 Player of the Year award, being one of Ireland’s top performers for the U21s at the Toulon Tournament, and receiving a call-up to the senior squad immediately following his goalscoring exploits.

Everything’s coming up Milhouse!

‘A dream come true’ – Brighton striker Connolly beaming after match-winning brace against Spurs

Goal of the Week

There were some tasty finishes among the five Aston Villa put past Norwich City on Saturday, but Douglas Luiz takes the biscuit after he put the ball top bins.

It’s the kind of goal you shouldn’t see happening, though: the Brazilian finds himself in plenty of space, so much that he can roll the ball around 3-4 yards in front of him around before unleashing a wicked shot without any defenders getting to him. Sort yourself out, Norwich.

Pass of the Week

A regista, he is not, but James Milner still conjured up this brilliant assist for Sadio Mane at the weekend nonetheless.

The Liverpool midfielder took out the entire Leicester City defence, giving the Senegalese forward the space to pounce.

Milner admits Liverpool had to ‘dig deep’ to secure dramatic 2-1 win over Leicester

Stat of the Week

Steve Bruce: I’ve waited 20 years to beat Manchester United

Howler of the Week

We can argue about whether or not it was a penalty, but we can all agree it was completely avoidable, and that’s why Marc Albrighton deserves Howler of the Week.

The Leicester midfielder played a blinder against Newcastle last week, but messed up badly in the final minutes of the game at Anfield. Firstly, he takes the ball away from Kasper Schmeichel, who is about to safely collect it, before turning instead of just getting rid, losing it to Mane, and then finally fouling him inside the box.

Again, you might disagree with the referee’s decision, but it was absolutely brainless to do what he did when calm heads needed to see out the game.

Donkey of the Week

You can blame the players. You can blame the manager. You can blame the owners. Blame whoever you like, but everyone at Man United is culpable for the current state they are in.

The 1-0 defeat to Newcastle was just the latest in a long line of disasters for the most successful club in England. There is nobody at the club absolved from blame.

Read: Solskjaer says Man United ‘lack confidence’ and ‘don’t create enough’ as winless away run continues

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Aaron ConnollyArsenalAston VillaBournemouthBrightonBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonLeicester CityLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedMatty LongstaffNewcastle UnitedNorwich CitySadio ManeSheffield UnitedSouthamptonTottenham HotspurWatfordWest Ham UnitedWolves