
The Football Faithful
·21 April 2025
Premier League Awards: Trent rises, Neto’s netbuster, fuming Fullkrug

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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·21 April 2025
Our Premier League Awards honour the best – and worst – of the weekend’s action, featuring late winners by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Pedro Neto, and Niclas Fullkrug’s rant.
After nearly six weeks on the sidelines with an injury, Trent Alexander-Arnold rose up on Easter Sunday.
Liverpool struggled to find a way past an obstinate Leicester City side until the right-back came off the bench to score with a lovely half-volley in the second half. We know how good he is with the right foot, but this was the first time he had ever scored goal off the left.
After the criticism he received for his performances in 2025 and the speculation surrounding his future, this was a cathartic moment for Alexander-Arnold. One which takes the Reds one step closer to the title.
A real five-star performance from Bryan Mbeumo on Saturday as he was involved in three of Brentford’s four goals against Brighton. The Cameroon international punished the Seagull’s inability to defend in transition, cutting in from the right for both of his goals.
After being set up by teammate Yoane Wissa for his second, Mbeumo returned the favour in the 58th minute with an assist for the striker. That was one of seven chances he created, more than any other player at the weekend.
There were some pretty impressive goals scored at the weekend, but for the quality of the finish and its significance, we have to give the gong to Pedro Neto.
The Portuguese attacker showed tremendous composure to turn on a swivel and strike the ball so cleanly into the roof of the Fulham net to win the West London Derby for Chelsea in stoppage time.
The comeback victory means the Blues are just about still in the top five.
Mikel Merino was back to playing in his regular midfield role against Ipswich Town, but the Spaniard still managed to make a late run into the box to supply a delightful assist for Gabriel Martinelli.
It was great to see Bukayo Saka make his first Premier League start since December, but the Arsenal star had a first half to forget against the Tractor Boys. Although he was involved in some exchanges that led to the Gunners’ first two goals in a 4-0 win, he missed three chances in the opening 45 minutes.
The worst of those saw the England international pull his shot wide when he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Alex Palmer (1:35 in the video below).
You would back Saka to finish that nine times out of ten, that just happened to be the one he misses. Given he cooly finished his chance against Real Madrid in midweek, it was flabbergasting to see him not his the target on this occasion.
A “very angry” Niclas Fullkrug gave his teammates both barrels in his post-match interview after West Ham United conceded a last-minute equaliser to Southampton, the worst side in the Premier League.
The German striker said the Hammers have a “mindset problem” after failing to build on their lead, calling the team’s motivation “s***”.
The Daily Mail claim that the club’s board will not punish Fullkrug for his rant, suggesting they don’t disagree with his sentiments.
We are only a few weeks removed from the best week of his career, but Dan Burn had one of his worst days this past weekend. The Newcastle United diverted the ball into his own net against Aston Villa, one of four goals they conceded on Saturday.
It’s a close race for biggest donkey of the weekend. Leif Davis is in the running for a completely needless challenge through the back of Bukayo Saka on Sunday, earning himself a red card for raking the Arsenal winger’s Achilles when they were two goals down.
But the Ipswich full-back’s is outmatched for stupidity by Joao Pedro. The Brighton forward was tussling with Brentford’s Nathan Collins when swung a leg between the defender’s legs while elbowing him at the same time. Impressive multi-tasking, but it was insanely moronic and dangerous behaviour from the Brazilian. It’s not the first time he’s lashed out, either.
More like Joao Redro, am I right?
I’ll see myself out.
The season just goes from bad to worse for Manchester United. Not only did Wolves do the double over the Red Devils for the first time since 1979/80 on Sunday, United have now lost at home more times than in any previous Premier League campaign.