Premier League Awards: Everton collapse, Duran ignites, Liverpool stunned

Our weekly Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the weekend.

Moment of the Week

It happened again. Everton lost a Premier League game 3-2 after going two goals up. Oh dear.

The Toffees got off to a great start thanks to first-half goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but when Ollie Watkins got one back before halftime you just knew that it was the most fragile of one-goal leads.

In the second half Calvert-Lewin missed a chance to put them 3-1 up before Watkins cruelly stabbed with a dagger, equalising as the hour mark approached.

Super sub Jhon Duran entered the fray to score one of the best goals we will see all season, breaking Everton hearts in the process. Calvert-Lewin rasped a shot off the bar, coming so agonisingly close that it felt like the gods were taunting the Merseysiders.

Everton remain rooted to the bottom of the table with no points after four games. It’s going to be a long season for Sean Dyche, his players and their beleaguered supporters.

Shock of the Week

After winning their opening three matches without conceding a goal, Liverpool were starting to look impervious under new manager Arne Slot. But Nuno Espirito Santo was not cowed by the challenge, leading Nottingham Forest to their first win at Anfield since 1969.

The Tricky Trees put on a defensive masterclass, restricting the hosts to just 0.94xG. Callum Hudson-Odoi was sprung from the bench to net the winner with a brilliant finish from just outside the box.

Player of the Week

After a rough start to the campaign, Ollie Watkins burst into life on Saturday to drag Aston Villa from despair to joy almost single handedly. The England striker played like a man possessed, getting on the end of chance after chance at Villa Park. He put two of them away and probably should have had a couple more.

Goal of the Week

It had to be him, didn’t it? Jhon Duran has made a habit of impacting games off the bench, but his third goal of the campaign might be the best he will ever score. The Colombian let loose from range with a rocket that left Jordan Pickford with no chance of making a save.

Duran now has eight goals in 27 Premier League appearances since the start of last season, but he’s only started three of those.

Honourable mentions to Newcastle United’s Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes, who both scored screamers to hand the Magpies victory over Wolves on Sunday.

Assist of the Week

We all know Ederson has it in his locker, but it’s a wonderful thing when you see a goalkeeper get an assist. Absolutely top drawer movement and use of body weight by Erling Haaland, too.

Save of the Week

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez put in one of the best performances we’ve seen from him in the Premier League on Saturday night, making seven saves against Bournemouth, which included stopping a penalty from Evanilson.

Scrap of the Week

The North London Derby was not a classic encounter, but things did heated as Arsenal and Spurs players got embroiled in a schmozzle.

Jurrien Timber’s high challenge on Pedro Porro was the catalyst for the confrontation, which didn’t evolve into an all-out-brawl, but it did briefly distract us from Arsenal‘s Tony Pulis-inspired defensive gameplan.

Stat of the Week

Southampton’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United leaves them without a point after four games and waiting for their first Premier League win since 4 March 2023.

Spare a thought, though, for Ben Brereton Diaz, who has never tasted victory in the English top flight in his career to date. Indeed, the Chile international’s 18 appearances without a win set a new record.

Donkey of the Week

Sticking with Southampton, Saturday bore witness to some terrible defending on display from Russell Martin’s men, some of whom seemingly don’t understand the concept of an offside line. Jack Stephens completed a bad afternoon for the Saints with a needlessly dangerous challenge on Alejandro Garnacho.

Tweet of the Week

Everton summed up.

Read – Six Premier League players who shone during the international break

See Also – 10 of the best Premier League ‘Barclaysmen’

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