Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the weekend.
Premier League Awards: Fantastic Foden, Mitoma’s solo stunner
Player of the Week
There are not many footballers in the Premier League, or anywhere for that matter, who are as watchable as Phil Foden at his best.
In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, Foden stepped up for Manchester City this weekend to produce a performance full of creativity, class and subtle touches of quality against Newcastle.
Foden started from a position on the right but roamed into the central areas where he can do more damage, with Newcastle struggling to get near the England international as he floated into pockets of space.
Mi amigo 🤝🕷️
It’s SO good to be back home 🩵 pic.twitter.com/xcac4a5M16
— Phil Foden (@PhilFoden) August 19, 2023
He turned in tight spaces and threaded passes through the narrowest of gaps, creating SEVEN chances as City claimed a 1-0 win at the Etihad. It has long been expected that Foden will move into a central role as his career develops and perhaps now is the time, on the evidence of his midfield masterclass this weekend.
Goal of the Week
Catch him if you can.
Karou Mitoma has fast become a crowd favourite since breaking into the Brighton team last season and the Japan international appears to be getting better and better under Roberto De Zerbi.
Mitoma opened the scoring in Brighton’s big win at Wolves with a sensational solo goal, as the winger picked up possession just inside the Wolves half and left a trail of his defenders in his wake on route to goal.
Absolutely SENSATIONAL from Kaoru! 🤩💫 pic.twitter.com/OuYa3UeSpA
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 19, 2023
Pass of the Week
Brighton have barely felt the loss of big names in Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, taking an early lead at the top of the Premier League table after 4-1 wins over Luton and Wolves.
Julio Enciso is among the next crop of emerging talents at the Amex Stadium and provided two assists at Molineux, including this delightful outside-of-the-boot pass into Solly March’s path. All class from the 19-year-old.
Joint top scorer in the #PL: Solly March. ⚽️💥 pic.twitter.com/MYZIG3kDZJ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 20, 2023
Save of the Week
Guglielmo Vicario had his fair share of critics during Tottenham’s pre-season campaign, but the summer signing sent a message to his doubters with a fine performance against Manchester United this weekend.
The Italian made a string of saves, including this cat-like reaction stop from Casemiro’s powerful header.
There was no way past Vicario yesterday! ⛔️
🚘 @cinchuk pic.twitter.com/4SzR6uZ72Y
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 20, 2023
Miss of the Week
Oh dear, oh dear.
Bruno Fernandes, look away now.
BIG CHANCE! 😲
Bruno Fernandes fails to hit the target from 6 yards out! 😬 pic.twitter.com/x13nT7o7RI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 19, 2023
Howler of the Week
Everton endured a nightmare afternoon as Sean Dyche’s side were embarrassed at Aston Villa, a performance packed full of shambolic defending ending with the Toffees beaten 4-0 at Villa Park.
The nadir came with Villa’s fourth goal, as Ashley Young – playing against his former club for the first time since ending his second spell at Villa – undercooked a throw-in, allowing Jhon Durán to steal in and score his first Villa goal.
Inexcusable, basic errors on a day to forget for Everton on the road.
I loved Ashley Young before today, but him threading it through to Duran to kickstart his Villa career is next level commitment. #avfc pic.twitter.com/pbWlMU1vLN
— Villa Views (@VillaViews_) August 20, 2023
Stat of the Week
Manchester City didn’t make a single substitution against Newcastle, the first time they haven’t done so in a Premier League game since May 2022 (against West Ham).
It was just the sixth time in 268 league games in charge of the club that Pep Guardiola hasn’t made any changes.
Tweet of the Week
Brilliant.
We’re sure this won’t be the last time we seen this joke cracked this season.
Spread the injury over 9 years and he’ll only be out for 5 days #ThePlan
— Zak 🇦🇷 (@ZakLFC7) August 17, 2023
Read – Premier League weekend: Five things we learned
Read Also – Premier League Team of the Week – Matchday Two