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Premier League Awards–Incredible Iwobi, Title race twist

Our Premier League Awards honour the best – and worst – of the midweek action, featuring Alex Iwobi’s all-action showing and a twist in the title race.

Moment of the Week

A lifeline for the chasing pack?

Liverpool looked to have turned things around at Newcastle in a thriller at St James’ Park, only for an individual error to cost the leaders points. Caoimhin Kelleher has barely put a foot wrong since replacing the injured Alisson, but his misjudgement of a Bruno Guimaraes free-kick allowed Fabian Schar to sneak in a late leveller.

Liverpool’s lead remains healthy, but wins for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City mean it’s been reduced. Title race back on?

.@fabianschaer leaving it late! ⏰ pic.twitter.com/DNOcZzvGWy

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 5, 2024

Player of the Week

Talk about an all-action performance. Alex Iwobi covered every blade of grass as Fulham beat Brighton to climb into the Premier League’s top six. The Nigerian became the first Premier League player in 2024 to score 2+ goals, complete 3+ take-ons, win 5+ duels and regain possession on 5+ occasions as Marco Silva’s side stormed to a 3-1 win.

It continued a fine season for the 28-year-old, who is in the form of his career right now. Iwobi has five goals and three assists this season, already eclipsing the seven goal involvements he managed in 34 league appearances in 2023/24.

Defending as a right-back, attacking from the left 🔀

What a performance from Alex Iwobi 🤩@Oracle | #FULBHA pic.twitter.com/civHgwINsb

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 5, 2024

He capitalised on an error to fire Fulham in front, before a wonderful turn, shift and finish sealed the win. Iwobi has long brought energy and brilliant ball-carrying, but improvements in his defensive work and end product have made him more rounded than ever before. This was a top-drawer showing.

Goal of the Week

Aston Villa ended their winless run in style as a first-half blitz downed Brentford at Villa Park.

Morgan Rogers got the home side up and running with a stunning effort, as the midfielder curled into the far corner from the edge of the area. It was the latest highlight moment from one of the breakthrough stars of the Premier League campaign.

Morgan Rogers, YA BEAUTYYYY 🗣️🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Irw7HuDgeL

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 5, 2024

Save of the Week

Arsenal’s fine form continued with a 2-0 win over Manchester United, with Mikel Arteta’s team outstanding since returning from the international break. The Gunners required a super stop from David Raya to preserve their lead at one-nil, however, as the Spaniard clawed away Matthijs de Ligt’s goal-bound header.

Sublime reactions from Raya 👏 pic.twitter.com/W0gGfx0MFG

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 5, 2024

The Dutch defender did almost everything right after powering a set-piece towards the top corner, only for a big hand from Raya to paw it away. It’s not the first stunning stop we’ve seen from Raya this season.

Tweet of the Week

Dimitar Berbatov this week called Arsenal the ‘new Stoke City’ for their threat from set-pieces. That might be a stretch, but the Gunners have certainly mastered their set-piece routines under Mikel Arteta.

Could a Rory Delap regen be the final ingredient for Arteta’s masterplan?

Arsenal sign her and they win the league btw pic.twitter.com/4m67qWTvnW

— George Scaife (@Scaife51) December 4, 2024

Stat of the Week

“We’ve got our Chelsea back” sang the away contingent at Southampton, as Enzo Maresca’s side waltzed to a big win on the South Coast.

5.29 – Chelsea’s xG tonight was the most Opta has on record (2008-09 onwards) by an away team in a Premier League match (5.29). Domination. pic.twitter.com/dnAEyOMt61

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 4, 2024

The West Londoners are certainly enjoying their football right now. Chelsea have averaged 2.6 goals-per-game across all competitions this season, their best goals-per-game ratio in a single season in their entire history.