TEAM: SUNDERLAND
It was essentially a two-horse race for this award, and I had to decide on a dominating home win versus an impressive come-from-behind away win.
I went with Sunderland, who had a season nobody expected. This seemed to be a theme as they did it again after going a goal down at Everton, but came back for a superb win and have even given themselves an outside chance of European qualification.
Well done to Aston Villa. Arsenal. Man Utd. Newcastle. Leeds and Man City.
GOALKEEPER: KARL DARLOW (Leeds)
Leeds secured their Premier League status last week and didn’t have much to play for, which may account for their lacklustre performance against Brighton, who still have a chance at qualifying for Europe.
However, Brighton did not account for the heroics of the Leeds keeper, who faced the most shots on target at the weekend and still kept a clean sheet, which allowed his team to snatch a stoppage-time victory.
Shout out to Newcastle’s Pope. Sunderland’s Roefs and Man Utd’s Lammens.
DEFENDER: ADRINE TRUFFERT (Bournemouth)
I have long been an admirer of his game this season, and I finally get a chance to show it. In the game that decided the title, not only was he typically solid and energetic at full back, keeping Semenyo and then Savinho quiet.
He was also a threat going forward as he has proved to be all season, and assisted the all-important goal in the first half to make it four league assists in an impressive season.
Well done to his teammate, Senesi. Man Utd duo Shaw and Martinez. Arsenal duo Saliba & Calafiori. Brentford’s Collins. Fulham duo Robinson & Bassey.
Liverpool’s Van Dijk. Newcastle’s Botman. Forest’s Marato. Everton’s Keane. Sunderland’s Geertruida. Wolves’ Krejci and Chelsea’s Fofana.
MIDFIELDER: BRUNO FERNANDES (Man Utd)
Though there were a few more deserving midfielders for their individual performances this week, this was more of a legacy award, combined with this week’s performance.
Regardless of what you think or how the assists were amassed, the numbers dont lie, and with his assist for United’s third goal, which was ultimately the winner, he equalled the Premier League record for most assists in a season.
Shout out to Aston Villa duo McGinn & Rogers. Sunderland’s Le Fee. Brentford duo Sarr & Wharton. Chelsea duo Enzo & Santos. Arsenal’s Rice.
Man City duo Semenyo & Savinho. Forest duo Anderson & Gibbs-White. Everton’s Rohl. Liverpool’s Szoboszlai. Man City’s Rodri. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. Brighton’s Gross. Brentford’s Damsgaard. Palace’s Munoz and Leeds’s Ampadu.
FORWARD: OLIVER WATKINS (Aston Villa)
He has hit good form at the right time, and leading into the World Cup is great timing. With two goals and an assist, he was a menace to Liverpool and not for the first time.
After Liverpool equalised, he put Villa back ahead, capitalising on a mistake, then just five minutes later was in the right place to extend the lead. Then, he assisted a beauty to seal the points and Champions League qualification.
Well done to Newcastle duo Osula & Woltemade. Brentford’s Ouattara. Man Utd duo Cunha & Mbeumo. Sunderland duo Brobbey & Isidor. Arsenal duo Havertz & Saka. Bournemouth’s Kroupi.
Man City duo Marmoush & Haaland. Wolves’ Mane. Spurs’ Richarlison. West Ham’s Taty and Leeds’ Calvert-Lewin.
MANAGER: REGIS LE BRIS (Sunderland)
There is no denying that his team have defied the odds this season. Coming up via the play-offs, they were many people’s favourites to go down.
However, from the three teams that were promoted, they are finishing the highest and fighting for a European finish. Sunderland’s come-from-behind away win at Everton was just typical of their heart, desire, fight, abilities and sheer will to win, which should be commended.
Shout out to Villa’s Emery. Arsenal’s Arteta. Leeds’ Farke. Man Utd’s Carrick and Newcastle’s Howe.
UNSUNG HERO: WILLIAM OSULA (Newcastle)
It was a two-horse race for this and was probably the most difficult decision of the week. Although his two goals came against a relegation-threatened West Ham.
He has been one of the few shining lights in Newcastle’s disappointing season. In recent weeks, he has been showing the potential of a top striker that the Newcastle fans love at their club. He took both goals with the confidence of a striker in form and promising more.
Well done to Brentford’s Ouattara. Palace’s Wharton. Villa’s Rogers. Arsenal’s Havertz. Man Utd’s Shaw. Liverpool’s Van Dijk and Sunderland’s Le Fee.
GAME: MAN UTD 3-2 NOTTS FOREST
Luke Shaw scored his first goal of the season with a neat, drilled finish from just inside the box (5). In the second half, Morato headed in at the far post following a superb ball in from the right by Anderson (53).
Two minutes later, Cunha finished inside the far post after Mbeumo’s shot was blocked, after what seemed like a handball (55). Man Utd got a third when Mbeumo stabbed in Fernandes’ cross from the right (76). Before Gibbs-White pulled a goal back with a tidy first-time finish from the edge of the box (78).
GOAL: TATY CASTELLANOS (West Ham) vs Newcastle
It was nothing more than just a consolation, but what a consolation. From a long goal kick that bounced inside the Newcastle half, 25-odd yards from goal.
The ball bounced up, which allowed Taty to run onto and, in one motion, from just over 20 yards out, he hit a first-time volley that rocketed over the keeper and slammed into the far corner.
There were also good goals from Aston Villa’s McGinn and Chelsea’s Enzo.
FOOL: ARNE SLOT (Liverpool)
Although his Liverpool team are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League, some may argue that he does not deserve it, and this is just not Liverpool. The humiliating defeat at Villa was indicative of their season.
Liverpool under Slot has broken several unwanted records, including most goals conceded in a Premier League season and equaling the most defeats. They also earned just one away point against the top nine teams. FOOL!
