Premier League Awards: Nunez nicks it, Man United misery

Our Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the weekend’s action, featuring Darwin Nunez and Justin Kluivert.

Moment of the Week

Virgil van Dijk laughed off suggestions Liverpool had hit a wobble after dropped points in midweek, but a frustrating afternoon at Brentford looked to be heading a similar way this weekend. Goalless as the game entered stoppage time, Liverpool looked set for a fifth draw in seven league games in West London.

Darwin Nunez, however, had other ideas. Off the bench, the Uruguayan turned in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross for the winner before slamming in a second moments later. It’s been a tough time of late for Nunez, who this month has been linked with an exit.

He’d scored just twice in the Premier League before the weekend, but bagged a brace that could turn out to be crucial in the context of the campaign. With Arsenal dropping points later in the evening, Liverpool reconsolidated their place at the summit. Nunez’s late show assured to that.

Player of the Week

Newcastle fans never truly saw the best of Patrick Kluivert at St James’ Park. On Saturday, however, they certainly saw the best of their former striker’s son, Justin.

The Dutchman was in devastating form as Bournemouth emphatically ended Newcastle’s club-record winning run. Bournemouth ran riot in the North East to win 4-1 and strengthen their own European credentials. Kluivert was the architect of the win with a brilliant hat-trick, ghosting into goalscoring positions from an advanced midfield role. His finishing was of the highest order with the 25-year-old having picked up a thing or two from his old man.

Kluivert is just the seventh player to have scored multiple away hat-tricks in the same season, joining names including Michael Owen, Luis Suarez and Harry Kane. He’s also now reached 10 league goals for the campaign. After returning to the Netherlands set-up after a six-year absence in November, his current form could cement his place in the Oranje squad.

Manager of the Week

The mastermind of Bournemouth’s big win at Newcastle, Andoni Iraola is in charge of a Cherries side going places. Bournemouth are up to seventh and 10 unbeaten in the Premier League, a run that has included impressive results at Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.

The South Coast side are reaping the rewards of their investment in young talent, with the likes of Milos Kerkez, Antoine Semenyo, Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi all likely to attract suitors in the summer.

Holding onto Iraola could be the biggest challenge, however, with the Spaniard showcasing himself as one of the most tactically astute coaches in a league not short on managerial talent. Excuse the pun, but here’s hoping Bournemouth can avoid being cherry-picked apart in the summer. There’s something brewing at The Vitality Stadium.

Goal of the Week

Not much at Everton has got the fans off their feet in recent campaigns. The summer signing of Iliman Ndiaye has changed that narrative. The Senegalese showman is already a fan favourite and has helped add a touch of star dust to an otherwise unimaginative side.

Ndiaye scored his fourth goal of the campaign with a stunning solo effort against Spurs, as the midfielder motored forward and left Radu Dragusin twisted before slamming home.

Pure magic.

Stat of the Week

Another week, another stat to suck the life out of Manchester United fans.

The recent optimism bubble burst against Brighton on Sunday, as the Red Devils fell to yet another home defeat.

The last time Manchester United lost six of their first 12 home games of a campaign, 35 of the sides currently in England’s top four divisions didn’t even exist.

Tweet of the Week

Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that…

Quote of the Week

Ruben Amorim is dishing out some tough love at Old Trafford.

Read –  Premier League Team of the Week – Kluivert, Nunez, Foden

See more – Haaland apologises and the Lazio falconer shares too much

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok