Premier League Awards: Has VAR handed Arsenal the title? | OneFootball

Our Premier League Awards celebrate the best – and worst – of the weekend’s action, featuring Arsenal’s VAR salvation and Jeremy Doku.

Moment of the Week

Well, there can only be one. The entire outcome of the Premier League title race might just have been decided in the final seconds at West Ham, with a decision that Gary Neville called the ‘biggest moment in VAR history’.

Callum Wilson appeared to have scored a stoppage-time equaliser for West Ham against Arsenal, a goal with massive implications for both teams. Drama ensued, with the goal eventually ruled out after a lengthy VAR review. Arsenal were insistent there was a foul on David Raya, while West Ham hit out at the lack of consistency as loud boos rang around the London Stadium. Raya did appear to be fouled in the build-up, though it looked like just one incident in a penalty box packed with infringements from both sets of players.

The consequences are massive. Who knows the impact that relegation will have on West Ham, with a fuming Jarrod Bowen conceding it will be ‘tough’ for his team now. For Arsenal, it’s a gigantic step closer to a first Premier League title since 2004. Two more wins will crown the Gunners as champions.

An honourable mention for Brighton’s celebrations against Wolves. Amid the pressures of the Premier League, it’s easy to forget that these clubs are built on real people with real issues. Lewis Dunk and Yankuba Minteh both paid tribute to Alfie Burrows, the son of kitman Alex, who is currently recovering from surgery on a brain tumour. We wish Alfie all the best with his recovery.

Player of the Week

Pep Guardiola believes Jeremy Doku has found an extra gear in his game, and recent performances indicate that assessment is correct. Doku broke the deadlock against Brentford with another stunning goal, his third in a week for title-chasing Manchester City.

Doku has long terrorised full-backs with his dribbling, but improvement in his end product is a welcome sign. Alongside a glorious goal at the Etihad, he became only the third player in the Premier League this season to complete six dribbles and create six chances in the same game.

Goal of the Week

Beto hasn’t always been the flavour of the month at Everton, but he certainly is right now. The 28-year-old made it six goals in his last eight games with another effort against Crystal Palace, perhaps his best of the campaign.

A burst of pace got Beto in behind, before he left Maxence Lacroix twisted and turned. A cheeky finish through Dean Henderson’s legs  topped off a great solo strike.

Save of the Week

A save that could just be title-defining for Arsenal and David Raya. With the game goalless at West Ham and Arsenal under pressure, Raya stood firm to deny Mateus Fernandes. This could be a massive moment.

Stat of the Week

A miserable stat in a miserable season for Wolves, who are leaving the Premier League with a whimper.

A week to forget for…

Arne Slot. The mood at Anfield has shifted, and rarely has that been more evident than this weekend’s draw with Chelsea.

Loud boos were directed at the Dutchman by a fanbase that has traditionally shown patience with the man in charge. Liverpool’s season has flitted into nothingness, and the stale style of football has led many to lose faith. This felt like the day the fans’ patience really ran out.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week: Raya, Xhaka, Doku

See more – Iconic Duos: Tiki-Taka’s royal pair, Xavi and Iniesta

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