Our Premier League Awards honour the best – and worst – of the weekend’s action.
Moment of the Week
Talk of a changing of the guard might be premature, but this was no doubt a significant result in the context of the campaign. Pep Guardiola had wanted a response from the champions after a mini-crisis, though the problems piled up further for Manchester City at Anfield.
Liverpool issued a statement of intent with a performance full of intensity and quality, with Guardiola admitting the league-leading Reds were ‘unstoppable’ in the opening minutes. City struggled to weather the early storm and eventually fell to a 2-0 defeat, a result that leaves the champions 11 points behind Liverpool in the title race. It’s a long road back from here and Guardiola’s touchline antics only indicated the pressure is taking its toll.
What a win 😍 pic.twitter.com/FaIQtfTrQu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2024
For Liverpool, expected to be in transition this season, the title race is firmly in their hands.
Player of the Week
Take a bow, Kevin Schade.
The German has had a torrid time since becoming Brentford’s record signing in 2023, with long spells out injured and a barren run seeing the forward written off by some. Thomas Frank has retained faith in Schade and was rewarded with an electric performance this weekend, as the 23-year-old hit a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Leicester.
“The shining star today was Kevin Schade,” Frank said full-time.
Kevin Schade vs. Leicester:
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🅰️ pic.twitter.com/9ih1OS6XCH
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 30, 2024
“I celebrated so much his first because I know how hard it’s been for him because he’s had so many injuries and he’s wanting to play in the team. He scored three and got a fantastic assist and looked like such a threat and was such a handful.”
Schade had just two goals in his previous 41 appearances in the Premier League, but helped himself to a clinical treble as the Bees thrashed Leicester. Having also set up Yoanne Wissa for the equaliser, it was a day to remember.
Goal of the Week
Enzo Fernandez is back in form and back in favour at Chelsea. After finding himself out of the team earlier in the campaign, the Argentine has resembled something closer to a £106m player in recent weeks. He continued his red-hot form with a goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa, guided perfectly past Argentina teammate Emi Martinez with the outside of his boot. A quality finish from a player enjoying his football right now.
Enzo is on fire! 🔥 #CFC | #CHEAVL pic.twitter.com/ATE01BK6dd
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 1, 2024
Stat of the Week
First Premier League away goal in almost 15 years – check.
Red card – check.
An eventful day for Fulham captain Tom Cairney.
14 – Tom Cairney has scored away from home in the Premier League for the first time since March 2010, with this being the longest ever gap between a player scoring in away matches in the competition (14 years and 269 days). Patience. pic.twitter.com/iGdYMEX9OJ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2024
Tweet of the Week
Pep Guardiola is really going through it right now.
The spirit of Ten Hag really just latched on to the first bald man in Manchester it could find
— 🐝 (@speziaIs) November 26, 2024
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Salah, Schade, Saka
See more – The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 2nd
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