Our Premier League awards honour the best – and worst – of the weekend’s top-flight action.
Moment of the Week
Are you not entertained? The neutrals might be, but for Spurs this was another painful weekend. Ange Postecoglou’s men are frighteningly inconsistent, defensively naive, and lack the structure to compete at the top end of the division.
Tottenham were badly exposed as Liverpool ran riot in North London, hitting Spurs for six in the capital. Spurs scored three times themselves in a nine-goal thriller, but is there any way this club can challenge for honours with such a reckless approach? When Spurs are good, they’re good. When they’re bad – and they were here – it can be a disaster.
“I’m just going to stop answering these questions.”
Ange Postecoglou says injuries have been a big factor in Tottenham’s struggles.#THFC pic.twitter.com/ODZhgi6qZ5
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 22, 2024
Postecoglou’s likeable personality and occasional flashes of fantastic football will only retain good will for so long when results remain a rollercoaster ride. Injuries, and he was quick to point them out, are no doubt a contributing factor but a lack of tactical adaptability to combat the absence of key figures was costly. Eight points from the Champions League places at Christmas, Postecoglou is under pressure.
Player of the Week
Get the contract signed.
There’s an argument that Mohamed Salah is producing the best football of his career right now. Salah was central to Liverpool’s 6-3 win at Tottenham with the Egyptian directly involved in four goals to swell his season’s return. Spurs couldn’t live with him, with Salah unplayable on occasion as he danced through the depleted defence of the hosts.
Liverpool can not afford to let him leave next summer.
Mohamed Salah is the first player in the competition’s history to score 10+ goals AND provide 10+ assists in four consecutive Premier League seasons.
He’s also the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists in a single Premier League season before… pic.twitter.com/6OdUGLMNjY
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 22, 2024
Goal of the Week
Arsenal enjoyed a big night out at Crystal Palace as the Gunners hit five at Selhurst Park. Declan Rice started from the bench but came on to impact the game with a late goal and assist. The midfielder sealed the win late on with a fine effort, as he spun sharply before bending an unstoppable finish into the bottom corner. The icing on the cake of a fine performance from Mikel Arteta’s men.
What a way to wrap it up 🎁 pic.twitter.com/9OEup9lm5P
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 22, 2024
Manager of the Week
Take a bow, Andoni Iraola.
Bournemouth will spend Christmas inside the Premier League’s top five after a 3-0 win at Manchester United. The Cherries claimed the points at Old Trafford for the second successive season, having won at the famous venue by the same scoreline last season.
Iraola is doing a brilliant job on the south coast with the Spaniard’s side having set their sights on European qualification. He’s overseen victories over Arsenal, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs this season without conceding a goal.
3 – Bournemouth are just the second team to win consecutive league away games against Manchester United by 3+ goals (both 3-0), after Burnley in 1961 (4-1) and 1962 (5-2). Iraola. pic.twitter.com/EWPJExFdwA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2024
Remarkable.
Save of the Week
Southampton showed signs of life under the watching Ivan Juric with a battling performance on the road at Fulham.
A goalless draw ensured a valuable point and the Saints had Aaron Ramsdale to thank. The summer signing made a huge save from Harry Wilson, reacting rapidly to push his fierce hit over the bar from close range. With little time to react, it was a crucial save in a big moment.
What a save from Aaron Ramsdale to deny Harry Wilson! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NvaV5wLYz7
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2024
Stat of the Week
There’s little to be merry about in Manchester this Christmas…
9 – Manchester City have lost 9 of their last 12 games in all competitions (W1 D2). The last time other selected clubs had a run of 9 defeats in 12 games:
Chelsea – 25/05/2023
Tottenham – 26/12/1997
Arsenal – 23/03/1977
Man Utd – 16/12/1961
Liverpool – 23/01/1954
Unprecedented. pic.twitter.com/6Ls5Zw6poF
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2024
Tweet of the Week
Gabriel Jesus has barely been able to hit a barn door in recent months.
Palace, however, will be sick of the sight of him. Just the five goals in a week against the Eagles for Arsenal’s number nine.
loves jesus so much he let him score 5 goals against him in 3 days fairs pic.twitter.com/7HhE8SSQLl
— george🏴 (@cpfc_geezy) December 21, 2024
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Isak, Salah, Murillo
See more – Liverpool top at Christmas but will they win the title?
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