Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the weekend.
Moment of the Week
The fat lady is not quite singing, but she’s certainly warming up back stage.
Brighton all but ended the Premier League title race with a brilliant second-half performance to stun Arsenal, securing a 3-0 win to keep alive their own hopes of European football.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side have been a fantastic watch this season and came out on top in a game full of niggle, capitalising on Arsenal mistakes to punish the home side.
Julio Enciso’s header put the Seagulls ahead, before Brighton robbed former player Leandro Trossard of possession in the build-up to Denis Undav’s lofted second. Pervis Estupinan added insult to injury with a stoppage-time third, leaving Arsenal floored and their title hopes in tatters.
Roberto De Zerbi celebrating Brighton’s third goal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MzdSKmKJKp
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 14, 2023
De Zerbi – who celebrated with a Jose Mourinho-esque touchline run and knee slide – had promised we would see the real Brighton this weekend after last week’s shock defeat to Everton.
What a response this was.
Player of the Week
Arsenal crumbled under the pressure placed on them by Manchester City, who eased to a 3-0 win at Everton earlier in the day.
Despite changes to the side as Pep Guardiola kept one eye on a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid, City recorded an 11th consecutive Premier League win to move a giant step closer to a fifth coronation in six seasons.
Ilkay Gundogan was the star of the show, with the midfielder marking his 300th appearance for the club with an inspired performance. The 32-year-old often comes alive when the stakes are high during the run-in and was involved in all three goals at Goodison Park.
Gr🎱 Sunday afternoon! Step by step we are getting closer to our big goal … 🏆💥💥💪🏼 #CmonCity pic.twitter.com/DXhbe7dQda
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) May 14, 2023
He opened the scoring with an exquisite improvised effort, controlling the ball on his thigh before flicking it backwards past Jordan Pickford. A perfect floated cross from Gundogan was headed home by Erling Haaland for the second, before the German curled home a free-kick to seal the win.
Gundogan’s future is uncertain as he approaches the end of of his contract this summer, but he has been – and remains – a fantastic player for Manchester City.
Goal of the Week
Gundogan earns his second accolade of the week for something a bit different.
His opening goal at Everton was a brilliant piece of skill, improvising intelligently to flick the ball past the helpless Jordan Pickford. It was something out of nothing from Gundogan, a magic moment which broke the deadlock and set City on their way to a vital win.
Simply sublime from @IlkayGuendogan! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/SDomOFLij1
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 14, 2023
His second wasn’t bad, either.
What a way to mark your 300th City appearance! 🙌
🎱 @IlkayGuendogan pic.twitter.com/ztxaHHQ2nz
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 14, 2023
Miss of the Week
Just how big a miss could this be for Leeds?
Patrick Bamford missed a glorious chance to double Leeds’ lead against Newcastle this weekend, as the forward saw his poor penalty saved by Nick Pope. Just four minutes later, Newcastle equalised from the penalty spot through Callum Wilson and an entertaining encounter at Elland Road ended all square, following further goals from Wilson and Rasmus Kristensen.
A huge moment for Newcastle!! 🤩
Nick Pope saves Patrick Bamford’s penalty to prevent Leeds from doubling their advantage! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/8ZAkGNWYoR
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 13, 2023
Time is running out for Leeds, who are a point from safety with just two games to go. Bamford – who missed a gaping open goal during the recent draw with Leicester – might have some regrets if Leeds lose their Premier League status.
Stat of the Week
Tottenham are in danger of missing out on European football next season after a costly 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa this weekend.
Villa moved level on points with Spurs with two games remaining, with a fast start once again undoing the north Londoners. Jacob Ramsey opened the scoring after just eight minutes, incredibly the seventh goal Spurs have conceded in the opening 10 minutes across their last five games.
7 – Across their last five games in the Premier League, Spurs have conceded seven goals in the opening 10 minutes:
1:01 vs Newcastle
5:11 vs Newcastle
8:12 vs Newcastle
6:13 vs Man Utd
2:48 vs Liverpool
4:53 vs Liverpool
7:26 vs Aston VillaSleepy. pic.twitter.com/IFjBOqtERC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 13, 2023
The warm-up might need to be tweaked.
Quote of the Week
James Ward-Prowse was candid in his assessment of Southampton’s sorry season, with relegation confirmed this weekend after defeat at home to Fulham. The Saints’ 11-year stay in the top division is officially over, having lost 24 league games this season – the most in a single campaign in their history.
Ward-Prowse – who is expected to receive several proposals to remain in the Premier League – admitted the standards at Southampton had slipped ‘from the first day of pre-season’.
🗣️ “From the first day of pre-season to now, you can feel that the standards of the club have slipped away.” 📉
Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse reflects as the club is relegated after 11 years in the Premier League ⚽ pic.twitter.com/IPZV17X3aR
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 13, 2023
Donkey of the Week
Ben White has had an impressive season for Arsenal at right-back, but the defender endured a torrid time up against Kaoru Mitoma this weekend.
The Brighton winger has tormented no shortage of Premier League full-backs this season and White was the latest star to struggle against the Japanese international.
Too often the defender was too square and two slow to deal with the menacing Mitoma, who ran riot down the left during Brighton’s impressive win.
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Matchday 36
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